Reel to Reality Film Festival is an annual short film festival that celebrates African and African diasporic cinema—where the past, present, and future converge through a showcase of bold, unique and uncompromising voices. The festival exists to amplify the voices of emerging and independent filmmakers of African descent, cutting across borders and socio-political divides to foreground auteur, emotionally gripping and thought provoking stories.

Known for its bold film programming, Reel to Reality Film Festival aims to demonstrate the versatility and creativity of African filmmakers through immersive and unique cinema experiences. Every year, the festival focuses on curating a program that brings about a real cultural and social experience, to provide unique cinema-watching experiences, anchored by strong African voices.

The film festival functions as an accessible platform in which filmmakers can be celebrated, regardless of where in their filmmaking journey they are. In addition, Reel to Reality Film Festival offers marketing and networking opportunities through an industry program in a time where cinema is constantly changing and evolving.

The main selection criteria prioritises films by people of colour from the African continent and the African diaspora, to promote Pan-africanism and bridge the gap between audiences and filmmakers. Curated by Behind Her Lens Visuals, a South African curation agency, that aims to provide accessible stories to audiences on the African continent and the African diaspora, in order to bridge the gap between industry professionals, first time, emerging storytellers and their audiences and the festival brings vital, diverse stories into sharper focus.

Rules & Terms

Submission Criteria:
-Films submitted MUST be from filmmakers from Africa or the African diaspora.
The African diaspora is the worldwide collection of communities descended from native Africans or people from Africa.

Films will be considered if they are:
-Directed, produced or written by a director, producer, writer of colour, from the African continent or the African diaspora.
- Are not directed, produced or written by a person of colour BUT showcase a cast, narrative or topic from an African/African diasporic context.
- Submissions are LIMITED to 2 films per director.
- Submitting more than 2 films per person, can result in no selection at all.
- Films over 40 minutes will be disqualified.
-Please ensure that your film is submitted with a trailer/teasor, poster and stills (from the film itself or BTS Stills. Failure to provide this can result in no selection.
-Please note that once you have submitted, you cannot withdraw your film from submissions after the notification date has passed.

CONSENT
Please note that submitting to the festival means you consent to having your film screened during the course of the festival.
Submitting also means you consent to having your work used, within reason, in the festival programme, curation, marketing and public relations promotion.

OWNERSHIP
All submitters MUST have/own IP rights to showcase the film or have permission by the IP owners consent to do so. Should the festival be made aware of any copyright issues, your film will be immediately withdrawn.

2 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rodrigo Pépe

    I loved debuting my work at this beautiful festival, the event team was very welcoming and friendly. It was an incredible experience, I would participate in other years for sure.

    April 2023
    Helpful
  • FRANK DZIKUNU

    Thank you for selecting my film, I am much grateful.

    April 2023
    Helpful