Film Africa is the Royal African Society’s biennial London festival, celebrating the best African and African diaspora cinema from across the continent. Now in its tenth year, Film Africa has become a key platform for African film in London and the UK.

Film Africa 2024 will run from From 25 October - 3 November, presenting another high quality and wide-ranging film programme to venues across London. This will be accompanied by a vibrant series of events, including director Q&As, talks and discussions; professional workshops and master classes; school screenings and family activities; parties;

Film Africa also recognises and supports new film-making talent through the Baobab Award for Best Short Film and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film.

In 2022, Film Africa hosted screenings at 7 venues across London - Picturehouse Central, BFI Southbank, Rich Mix, The Ritzy, Bertha DocHouse, South London Gallery and The Africa Centre - as well as featuring a selection of 7 narrative and documentary films on the BFI Player. Film Africa 2022 presented an eclectic hybrid programme of 47 films from 16 countries (including 22 World, European or UK premieres), attracting thousands of attendees.

In addition to our core film programme, we hosted a series of virtual events with filmmakers and talent from the continent and the diaspora to present their work, network with other film professionals, and bring the programme to life through Q&As, talks and panel discussions.

Awards & Prizes

BAOBAB AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM

Established in 2011, the Film Africa Baobab Award for Best Short Film exists to recognise and support filmmaking in Africa and to find new voices emerging from the continent. The Award consists of a £1,000 cash prize and is judged by a panel of filmmakers and industry professionals.

FILM AFRICA AUDIENCE AWARD FOR BEST FEATURE FILM

Established in 2015, the Film Africa Audience Award is selected by our audience at eligible screenings throughout the festival. The winning filmmaker receives a prize of £1,000.

Criteria:
1. Films that have been made by African and African diaspora filmmakers only.
2. Films that have been completed in the last two years only.
3. Both Awards cover works of fiction only (including experimental). Documentaries will be considered for the main programme but will not be eligible for the Awards.

HOW TO APPLY FOR OUR AWARDS:

The submission process for our Awards is the same as for the main programme - please follow the instructions set out below in our Rules & Terms. Film Africa will automatically consider all submitted films that comply with our Awards criteria.

Rules & Terms

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IN FULL BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR FILM:

ELIGIBILITY

1. Film Africa accepts films of all lengths and genres, including fiction, documentary, shorts and experimental.

2. Year of production must be 2022 or after - any films made before this will not be considered.

3. Our main objective is to represent a wide range of films and filmmakers stemming from Africa and the African diaspora. We only accept submissions from African and African diaspora filmmakers.

4. English subtitles must be provided where necessary or your film will be deemed ineligible.

5. Applicants may enter as many eligible films as they wish. A separate entry form, upload and additional entry fee is required for each film submission.

6. Films submitted to previous editions of Film Africa will not be considered. If substantial changes have been made to the film since a previous submission, please contact info@filmafrica.org.uk to discuss your entry.

7. Film Africa does not have the capacity to apply refunds. Please ensure your film meets the eligibility criteria before submitting.

SUBMITTING YOUR FILM

1. There is a submission fee to enter your film. Feature length submissions (over 40 minutes) are charged 20 USD. Short film submissions (under 40 minutes) are charged at 10 USD.

2. The submission fee may be waived for single entries if you would like to submit a student film or in certain mitigating circumstances. Please email info@filmafrica.org.uk to request a fee waiver, although we stress that this will only be available in mitigating circumstances.

3. Discounts for multiple submissions must be sought before the films have been submitted. Multiple discounts cannot be applied retrospectively after the films have already been submitted. To arrange this discount please contact info@filmafrica.org.uk.

5. Please note that copies submitted by post will not be returned.

DATA PROTECTION

1. Film Africa respects filmmakers' copyright and will take all precautions to ensure that your film remains safe from piracy and will never publicly screen a film for which permission has not been granted.

2. Screening links for all submitted films will be made available to press in order to ensure maximum coverage for your film. Screening links will only be provided to legitimate press contacts known to Film Africa.

SUBMISSIONS AGREEMENT

1. At the point of payment you will be asked if you have read and agreed with the festival’s regulations. By agreeing to proceed with your submission you are agreeing to these regulations and your application can then be processed. Entry of a film is binding and implies acceptance of these regulations.

2. In the event of disagreement concerning the interpretation of the regulations, the interpretation of the festival will take precedence.

3. Failure to comply with these regulations may result in the submission being disqualified.

We look forward to receiving your submissions!
3 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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Networking
  • Bogdan Hristov

    Film Africa is an exceptional part of London’s cultural calendar and we highly recommend it both to viewers and filmmakers. The organisers did their best to support us and our work and our (world) premiere night went splendidly well with an attendance of around 200, many of whom stayed on for the QA session. This experience could prove to be vital for our documentary on our way to reaching a wide and diverse international audience and we appreciate being selected, been given the opportunity to screen and are honoured to have been part of Film Africa 2017, thank you.

    November 2017
    Helpful
  • Roberto ROMEO

    THANKS FOR THE BAOBAB AWARD!

    November 2017
    Helpful
  • Palesa Shongwe

    Great festival. It was an honour to be a part of it!

    January 2017
    Helpful