DJARFOGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

🎬 FROM CHAINS TO CINEMA
DJÂRFOGO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL — DIFF26

6th Edition | International | 2026

One Story. Four Locations. One Transatlantic Vision.

Los Angeles, USA & Cape Verde, West Africa

The DjârFogo International Film Festival (DIFF), in collaboration with Mount Saint Mary’s University / Hollywood Studio Campus and the Amílcar Cabral Foundation, proudly presents DIFF26 — a transatlantic cinematic platform connecting Africa, Black Brazil, and the Diaspora through history, memory, and the power of moving images.

Born from the volcanic heart of Fogo Island, and grounded in Cape Verde’s legacy as one of West Africa’s earliest transatlantic slave ports, DIFF transforms a geography of historical captivity into a global stage of Black cinematic consciousness, dignity, and rebirth.

This 6th edition carries a special international focus on Black Brazilian cinema, honoring the ancestral bridge between Africa and Brazil shaped by forced displacement, cultural survival, artistic resistance, and return.

🎯 DIFF MISSION

To reclaim cinematic space for African and Afro-diasporic voices by transforming historical memory into cultural power through film, education, and transatlantic dialogue.

🌍 DIFF VISION

To become the leading transatlantic film platform connecting Africa, Black Brazil, and the Diaspora through cinema, education, and cultural diplomacy.

🎥 SPECIAL TRIBUTE — 6TH EDITION
ZÓZIMO BULBUL — LEGACY OF BLACK CINEMA

DIFF26 proudly presents a Special Tribute to Zózimo Bulbul, pioneer of Black Brazilian cinema, cultural activist, and founder of Encontro de Cinema Negro Brasil.

His work dismantled colonial narratives and built cinematic bridges between Africa, Brazil, and the African Diaspora.
This tribute honors Bulbul not only as a filmmaker, but as a transatlantic architect of Black cinematic liberation.

🗓 OFFICIAL DIFF26 DATES & LOCATIONS
One Story. Four Locations. One Transatlantic Vision.

🇬🇼 GUINEA-BISSAU
📍 March 27–31, 2026

🌴 SAL ISLAND, CAPE VERDE
📍 July 9–12, 2026

🏛 SANTIAGO (PRAIA), CAPE VERDE
📍 November 2–4, 2026

🌋 FOGO ISLAND (CHÃ DAS CALDEIRAS), CAPE VERDE
📍 November 5–7, 2026

🌎 GLOBAL & DIASPORA SATELLITE SCREENINGS
LOS ANGELES, USA & SELECT DIASPORA CITIES — TBA

DIFF26 will also host Satellite Screenings and Cultural Dialogues in:

• Los Angeles, USA
• Select cities across the African Diaspora (Europe, North America, South America)

These events will deepen DIFF’s transatlantic impact while expanding its reach through partner universities, cultural institutions, and community spaces.

🌍 DIFF26 INTERNATIONAL FOCUS

DIFF26 is dedicated to:

• Black Brazilian Cinema
• African and Diaspora Cinema
• Transatlantic Memory and Decolonial Narratives
• Global Black Visual Storytelling

Positioning DIFF as one of West Africa’s most historically rooted and globally relevant film festivals.

🌟 IMPACT & LEGACY

Since its creation, DIFF has grown into a powerful Pan-African cinematic movement:

Over 650 films screened

Filmmakers from 200+ countries

1,500+ filmmakers trained

500,000+ global viewers reached

Over 2 million digital impressions

Strong impact across education, tourism, and cultural diplomacy

A recognized bridge between Africa, Brazil, Europe, and North America

🎓 EDUCATION & COMMUNITY IMPACT

DIFF26 extends beyond screenings into long-term cultural and educational transformation through:

Africa Film Lab & CinéRise Africa training programs

Youth filmmaking workshops and mentorship

University and school outreach screenings

Community cinema programs in rural and underserved communities

Creative skills development for emerging African and Afro-diasporic filmmakers

DIFF does not only invest in films —
it invests in the future of African storytelling.

🔥 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

Zózimo Bulbul Black Cinema Tribute Program

Africa Film Lab & CinéRise Africa

Pan-African Pitch Sessions

Masterclasses and Industry Panels

Diaspora Spotlights & World Premieres

Youth and Community Screenings

Africa Fashion and Cultural Showcases

Grand Volcanic Closing Ceremony in Fogo

Promotion of Fogo as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve (designated in 2020)

🏆 AWARDS & LEGACY HONORS

DIFF26 honors visionary figures of cinema and liberation:

Zózimo Bulbul — Pioneer of Black Brazilian Cinema

Ousmane Sembène — Father of African Cinema

Safi Faye — Trailblazer of African Women’s Cinema

Sarah Maldoror — Voice of Liberation Cinema

Amílcar Cabral — Architect of African Independence

Thomas Sankara — Symbol of Pan-African Resistance

Special recognition is also given to:
Adelícia Pires and Ana Maria Cabral.

🌋 FOGO ISLAND HERITAGE HONORS

Honoring the cultural guardians of Fogo Island:

Ana Procopio
Pedro Monteiro Cardoso
Armando Montrond
Henrique Teixeira de Sousa
João Montrond “Nho Djozinho”
Adelina Gomes “Bina Manzinha”
Sr. Zuca · Mino di Mama · Talaia Baxu
and other living pillars of Cape Verdean memory.

🤝 SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Help us continue promoting cinematic excellence and cultural storytelling by making a donation today.
Your contribution supports emerging filmmakers across Africa and the Diaspora.

We thank our sponsors, partners, and donors.
All donations are tax-deductible and will benefit future programs.

🔗 Donate: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=PTRHJAGHK7AG2

📥 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

Submissions open: January 5th, 2026

Submit via:
🌐 www.djarfogofilm.org

🎥 FilmFreeway
📧 djarfogofilm@gmail.com

📌 All films must have Portuguese and English subtitles.

🤝 CULTURAL DIPLOMACY & GLOBAL IMPACT

DIFF26 serves as a cultural bridge between Africa, Brazil, Europe, and the Americas — strengthening dialogue through film, memory, and creative exchange.

It operates not only as a festival, but as a platform for cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and transatlantic cooperation.

🔥 OFFICIAL DIFF26 TAGLINES
From Chains to Cinema
One Story. Four Locations. One Transatlantic Vision.

Where History Breaks and Images Rise.

🌍 FINAL STATEMENT

DIFF is not just a festival.
It is a movement — and a return.