The Bantu Film Festival is a Pan-African film festival in Botswana that is aimed at celebrating excellence in African cinema by creating a sense of community amongst African filmmakers through capacity building, panel discussions, film screenings and an award ceremony.

What is our vision?
To create a community that celebrates African excellence through a festival that promotes and develops the African Film Industry.

What is our mission?
1. To foster collaborations amongst African countries.
2. Empower filmmakers with the necessary skills and knowledge that will enhance their expertise.

Awards & Prizes

We are awarding the following categories:

Best Short film
Best Documentary
Best Feature Film
Best Animation
Best Director
Best Writer
Best Cinematographer
Best Editor
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Sound Local
Best Sound International
Best Costume and Makeup
Honorable mention award

Rules & Terms

RULES AND TERMS
Please read all the rules and requirements before submitting your project:
- The film festival is open to African filmmakers in Africa and Africans in the diaspora.
- All genres are ACCEPTED.

African filmmakers and the diaspora
Short film – 30mins maximum
Documentary – 15mins to 120 mins
Feature films – 60mins to 90mins

• Only 1 film can be selected per submitter
• Films should be submitted with English subtitles

All films should be submitted in either 1080p or 4K format, anything less than that will NOT be accepted.
The films should be from 2025 to the present year
• Early submissions start from February
• Normal submissions start from April

Notification will be in July (N.B selected Films will be notified via email and also to be announced on the official festival social media pages)

Those selected will have to provide their own accommodation and travel expenses to the film festival in Gaborone Botswana, the festival will not be covering those charges.
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Oluwatoyin Adewumi

    Thank you for recognising our feature film OFFSHOOT. We won the Best Editor award.
    We couldn't be at the festival, but the team graciously sent our award trophy to us in Nigeria. Well done!

    November 2025
    Helpful
  • Ndakalako Shilongo

    We had so much fun at the Bantu Film Festival. Our film Momeya won two awards.

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations Ndakalako! Thank you for sharing your art with us.

  • Joe Njagu

    Thanks Bantu for an amazing festival, definitely looking forward to the next one. Go Africa go

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    It's time for Africa to shine! Thank you Joe.

  • Koussé Yssouf

    It was a great joy to have participated in the festival with my documentary “The Destiny of a Truck Driver ". Keep Going”. Thank you and see you next time with my next documentary

    October 2024
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    A massive thank you, Yssouf! We can't wait to see your next documentary.

  • Tafadzwa Ranganai

    A wonderful festival hosted by an energetic team. It was totally worth the 16hr bus ride from my home country. I met so many young African filmmakers who inspired me and reinvigorated my love for cinema. I can't wait to see what future editions of the Bantu Film Festival has in store for the world!

    November 2023
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Well appreciated Tafadzwa!