The Knysna Film Festival is a celebration of African filmmaking and the global cinematic talent it inspires. Held annually in the beautiful Garden Route town of Knysna, the Festival offers a unique opportunity to explore the incredible diversity of African cinema. Since its inception, the Festival has presented a diverse range of films from across the continent, including award-winners and critically acclaimed classics.

Knysna is a popular holiday and vacation destination in the Western Cape province of South Africa. It is known for its spectacular array of birdlife and unique vegetation.
Our festival is a dynamic platform that embraces diversity, inviting filmmakers from around the globe to showcase their creativity and passion.

Whether it's a short film or a feature-length masterpiece, we eagerly accept submissions of any length and genre.

As we gather under the African sky, we honour the captivating narratives, rich cultural heritage, and groundbreaking visions brought to life through cinema. Our esteemed jury comprises industry experts who will recognize outstanding achievements across various categories, granting well-deserved accolades and recognition to exceptional filmmakers.
Immerse yourself in the magic of storytelling, where diverse voices unite and cinematic excellence shines.

Be captivated by the narratives that challenge, entertain, and inspire, forging connections between cultures and fostering a deeper understanding of our shared human experiences.

The Knysna Film Festival will be held at the Knysna Hollows Country Estate on the 9th of November 2024, a truly spectacular location for a unique festival to take place.

There are two categories for the awards:
Filmmaking.
Screenwriting.

The filmmaking awards are for films competing at the festival, whilst the screenwriting awards are given to scripts submitted without a film.

Filmmaking awards:
Best Production
Best Directing
Best Screenplay
Best in a Leading Role
Best in a Supporting Role
Best Editing
Best VFX
Best Sound Design
Best Cinematography
Best Production Design

Screenwriting awards:
Best Screenplay
Best Short Script
Best Feature Script
Outstanding Awards for a First Time Screenwriter.


Submissions:
All submissions must either be Afrikaans or English or have subtitles for Afrikaans or English.

No late submissions are accepted unless permission is granted by the Festival Management team.

The Knysna Film Festival is bound by the laws set by the Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa (BCCSA), as a result, films with excessive violence or explicit sex may be excluded from the festival or be asked to remove certain scenes.