The Music Imbizo 2026 Film Festival
Durban, South Africa | Tuesday 25 – Saturday 29 August 2026
The Music Imbizo, Africa’s most important music business gathering, is proud to announce the 2026 edition of its Film Festival. This festival is dedicated to music industry–related films from across the African continent and the diaspora. We seek films that reflect the heartbeat of music, musicians, culture, creativity, and the business of sound.
The Music Imbizo 2026 takes place in Durban, South Africa, from Tuesday 25 August to Saturday 29 August 2026. Films will be screened from Wednesday 26 – Friday 28 August 2026 (1pm to 6pm daily) at the Durban ICC. One film will be specially selected to screen during the Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, 25 August 2026.
CATEGORIES
1) Feature Film: Fiction, narrative, animated, or experimental; 40 minutes or more; music-related themes.
2) Documentary / Docu-drama: Non-fictional works over 40 minutes that explore the music industry, culture, or related stories.
3) Short Film: Fiction or documentary films under 40 minutes.
4) Student Film: Any format or length, directed by a student enrolled in high school, college, or university at the time of production.
5) Music Video (long format): Music videos with strong storytelling or cultural significance related to music and creativity.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE & FEES
1) Regular Deadline: 31 January 2026
2) Standard Fee: $7.50
3) Student Fee: $5.00 (proof of enrollment required)
RULES & REGULATIONS
a) Submission Fee and Screening
- Submission fee: $7.50 (Standard), $5.00 (Student).
- Shortlisted films will screen during The Music Imbizo 2026 Film Festival in Durban, South Africa.
b) Materials to Submit
- Films must be submitted in their original version.
- Films in English do not require translation.
- Films in other languages must include English subtitles (hard-coded recommended).
- Submissions must be uploaded via FilmFreeway.
- The Music Imbizo Film Festival reserves the right to disqualify films that fail to meet the requirements.
c) Completion
- Films must have been completed on or after 1 January 2022 to be eligible.
d) Declaration of Rights
- Submissions will only be accepted if the applicant holds all rights necessary for participation.
- The festival may request proof of rights ownership.
e) Notification
- All applicants will be notified by 15 March 2026 whether their film has been shortlisted.
- Shortlisted filmmakers will be contacted directly by the Festival Director.
f) Shortlisted Films
- The festival will use the contact details provided in FilmFreeway.
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure their contact details are correct.
g) Participants’ Obligations
- No shortlisted film may be withdrawn once its participation is announced.
- Films cannot be screened publicly elsewhere before their official presentation at the festival.
- Participation requires unconditional acceptance of these regulations.
h) Usage Rights
- By submitting, the applicant declares they hold all rights necessary for screening at The Music Imbizo Film Festival.
- They confirm no third-party rights (including personal image rights) are infringed.
i) Catalogue
Filmmakers must provide:
- Synopsis of the film
- Cast and crew credits
- Director biography and complete filmography
- Promotional photographs (director, cast, stills from film, colour and B&W)
j) Enquiries
- films@themusicimbizo.co.za
- www.themusicimbizo.co.za
