1. Entry Form
Films and entry forms must be submitted exclusively through the FilmFreeway website and must only be submitted by an authorised representative for the film.
2. Submission Deadlines
Early Bird Deadline: 15 January 2026
Regular Deadline: 31 March 2026
Notification Date: 15 May 2026
3. Categories
3.1. Features: African and non-African fictional films 45 minutes and over. Film submissions longer than 2 hours will be solicited.
3.2. Documentaries: African and non-african documentaries 30 minutes and over. Non-docu submissions will be solicited.
3.3. Short Film: fiction or non-fictional films that are under 45 minutes. Open to all countries.
3.4. Student Film: fiction and non-fiction films under 45 minutes. The director of the film must be enrolled in a tertiary institution during the year that the film is produced and submitted for the festival. Open to all countries.
4. Competition Films
4.1. The competition section of the festival includes a selection of Features, Documentaries, Shorts and Student Films that will be adjudicated by an independent jury.
4.2. The decisions of the Jury are final, and no correspondence is entered into after the announcement of the Awards.
5. Eligibility
5.1. Feature films, documentaries, short films and student films that have been completed any time after January 2022.
5.2. Films submitted and declined for the previous edition will not be considered for the 3rd edition.
5.3. Films must not have been shown on South African television, internet streaming services or released in South African cinema before the CMFF presentation.
5.4. Should your film be selected, the festival requires a DCP for the exhibition. This is not applicable to student films.
5.5. Films where the language is not English, must have English subtitles.
5.6. Works solely promotional, educational or scientific in nature are not eligible for selection for CMFF.
5.7. A film selected to participate in the festival cannot be withdrawn from the festival during the event.
5.8. Films for the festival must be submitted by a representative who has the authority to do so.
6 Refunds
6. No submission refunds will be granted, it is the submitters' responsibility to ensure the film is eligible.
7. By submitting your work, you automatically grants us the permission to use your work in promoting the event, We can post and cut the trailers into promotional videos.
Any enquiries about the Creative Minds Film Festival can be directed to CMFF by email at creativeminds.filmfestival@gmail.com
