The uMgungundlovu Film Festival is a pivotal initiative focused on empowering local filmmakers in historically marginalized communities. Addressing gender and generational disparities in the film industry, the festival prioritizes women, youth and people living with disabilities, serving as a catalyst for positive change. It offers expert training, providing aspiring filmmakers with sustainable career paths. By actively promoting emerging talent through dedicated platforms, the festival contributes to the diversity of South African cinema. Through workshops and programs, it inspires and guides emerging filmmakers, fostering a supportive environment for creativity. Additionally, the festival plays a crucial role in promoting the distribution of South African films, enriching the cultural tapestry of KwaZulu-Natal. Through prestigious exposure, it elevates filmmakers, enhancing the overall reputation of the local film community. Ultimately, the uMgungundlovu Film Festival is a strategic investment with a profound impact on cultural, economic, and educational fronts, aligning with the goal of fostering a dynamic and inclusive film industry in the uMgungundlovu region and beyond.

Awards & Prizes

Trophies are awarded to winning films in each of UFF's categories.

Rules & Terms

1. Introduction
The uMgungundlovu Film Festival is created to provide a platform for local filmmakers
to exhibit their films. This is Pietermaritzburg - based festival in Kwazulu-Natal, South
Africa. The uMgungundlovu Film Festival invites filmmakers to submit their Short,
films to screen in the festival from15 Nov - 17 Nov 2023 under the theme SPIRITUALITY. As we awake our soul.
The festival will be over a 3-day period at various locations in Pietermaritzburg.
Only films completed as from April 2022,2023 and 2024 will be accepted.
2. Submission deadline
Deadline for all entries is 05 May 2024
3. Categories of the Festival and Terms
Feature or Short Film: A fiction or documentary film with a running time up to 90 minutes.
All submissions should be made by the official representative who will serve as the
mediator for screening fees as well as the transportation of the materials.
4. Film entry rules
Feature or short films in which either the producer, director, or writer is Woman or youth, short films that have been completed since April 2021, accepted exhibition formats for our festival are:
MPEG - 2, MPEG - 4, only downloads will be acceptable
Audio is STEREO only.
Films written in other foreign languages other than English must be subtitled in English
in order to be considered for selection.
Works that are solely promotional, educational or scientific in nature are not eligible for
selection for the UFF.
A Film that is selected to participate in the festival cannot be withdrawn from the festival during the event.
5. More information you can email umgungundlovufilmfest@gmail.com
6. Selection and Notification
Films are selected by the Selection Committee.
The application will not be considered complete until all entry requirements are met.
All selected films will be notified by the Festival Director no later than 05 August 2024.
6. Selected Films Required Materials
Successful entrants will be asked to send us an online link to download the film in high
resolution for screening purposes. A Director of the selected film must complete an official UFF Participation Confirmation Form available on selection no later than 05 August 2024.
A half a page synopsis in English
The director’s photo, biography and filmography
Trailers, posters, for promotion of the film
By submitting the UFF participation confirmation form and the above materials, the
entrant(s) grant UFF a non-exclusive license to publicly screen the selected film in
the 2024 physical uMgungundlovu Film Festival in the offline platforms used by the festival
8. Awards & Prizes
This is the competition section of the festival, which covers a selection for Shorts with the most viewership and a compelling story our roots and legacy to be judged by a
jury.
Trophies are awarded to winning films in each of UFF's categories. Prize money will be
determined by the jury.
Not all invited films officially selected will be eligible for competition. The selection
committees' and juries' decisions are final.
UFF reserves the right to make any necessary changes in rules or festival scheduling.
30 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Minizobuhle Mmango

    It was okay, but there was a bit of disorganisation.

    December 2023
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  • Marjorie Silva

    The communication was excellent, for us it is a pleasure to have a mention in this wonderful event. We are very grateful to belong to your story.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Elina Myshanych

    Thank you so much for selecting "Adult" for your festival! It was the Africanian premier of the film. Thank you for the support of Ukraine!

    December 2023
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  • James Whitelaw

    What a wonderful film festival! I had been selected before, but never had made the effort to travel to it. This year I did, and wow - am I glad I did! Now in it's 5th year, Portia and her team has built this into the most welcoming, warm, well organised festival you can imagine. The warmth and generosity shown to us was on another level, it's hard to describe. If this is how it is at 5 years, I can't wait to see how it will be at 10 years. My sincerest congratulations to Portia and the team at uMgungundlovu Film Festival, and all their amazing sponsors, like KZNFilm, for organising such an amazing festival. It really was fantastic, thank you. We hope to be back in future years too, and will watch this festival go from strength to strength. Ngiyabonga kakhulu.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Michael kpoudosu

    It was a wonderful experience. My short was picked and we won. It was such a surreal experience and I really enjoyed it. Communication came in late but overall, I believe it will get better

    December 2023
    Helpful