The KUGOMA is the longest-running Mozambican film festival.
It screens closed and open-air venues and holds workshops, masterclasses, and school screenings.
Our mission is to promote Mozambican and African upcoming directors and their work, and contribute to creating new audiences.
In 2020 and 2021, it had two online editions during COVID and went back to live audiences in a hybrid format in 2022.
In 2026, we will hold our 16th edition. Get ready!

Awards & Prizes

In 2026, on our 16th edition, our awards are:

- Mozambican Upcoming Filmmaker Award - awarded by the Mozambique Film Museum Association;
- Special Mention Award - awarded by the Mozambique Film Museum Association;
- PALOP Upcoming Filmmaker Award - in collaboration with the PALOP-TL Film and Audiovisual Network, for PALOP African filmmakers who are not Mozambican citizens;

Awards are not monetary.

Rules & Terms

KUGOMA 16th edition accepts short films by Mozambican and African directors both in the continent and in the diasporas.
All genres are welcome - documentary, fiction, and essays, both live-action or animated, up to 30 minutes in duration, submitted through FilmFreeway.

Features should be sent directly to the team via email: cinekugoma@gmail.com
This edition will have both online and venue events, in Maputo and for audiences everywhere.

Mozambican Directors/Producers who submit their short films automatically authorize partner screenings, during the 15th KUGOMA, with local TV stations the online platform NetKanema.
Submittal requires copyright for any music used in the film.
Feature films will only be screened at venues.

Films not spoken in Portuguese must have Portuguese subtitles.
Subtitle quality must be approved by the festival's team.
The organization can provide translation and subtitling services if timecode transcripts are available within 30 days before the festival, at a cost of 20 USD per minute.

General Rules can be consulted here: https://www.kugoma.org/

10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • YAKWETU™ Online Limited

    Terrible.
    Poor Communication by the Organizers, which Resulted in our Films being Selected and then Deselected, without Reason.

    October 2023
    Helpful
  • Ariel Casimiro

    I got to participate in Kugoma for the first time this year and was lucky enough to come off with an award. I was unfortunately unable to make it there because I was notified a bit late of my films acceptance. But friends of mine that attended told me it was a great experience overall. After hearing from them I really felt bad I didn’t attend. Heard there were very prestigious judges and audiences that attended the festival were really engaged. I just wish communication was better and I was told earlier that my film was accepted and asked if I would be able to attend the festival. If that was the case I would have made arrangements earlier.

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Judénio José Jorge

    This is the only one and also the best film forum in Mozambique, giving opportunity to the new generation of film makers in many different categories, its any pleasure be part of this big and amazing family

    September 2023
    Helpful
  • Paulo Idalecio Videomaker

    The best cinema festival among the portuguese speaking african countries.

    July 2023
    Helpful
  • Patricia Silva

    Foi um prazer ter participado do Festival!

    September 2022
    Helpful