1. Introduction
The uMgungundlovu Gays & Lesbian Film Festival (UGLFF) is a proudly Pietermaritzburg-based event in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Created to provide a vital platform for local and African filmmakers, the Festival celebrates and amplifies the voices of the LGBTIQ community through the power of film.
We invite filmmakers to submit short and feature-length films to be showcased during the Festival, which will take place from 15–16 November 2025 across various venues in Pietermaritzburg.
Eligible films must have been completed between 1 November 2023, 2024 and 2025.
2. Submission deadline
The final deadline for submissions is 15 August 2025.
3. Categories of the Festival and Terms
We accept:
Short films
Feature films
Documentary films
Each submission must not exceed 120 minutes in duration.
All entries must be submitted by an official representative of the film.
4. Film entry rules
To be eligible, submitted films must meet the following criteria:
The producer, director, or writer must be an African citizen or part of the African diaspora.
Films must have been completed after 1 November 2023.
Accepted exhibition formats: MPEG-2 or MPEG-4.
Audio must be in STEREO.
Non-English language films must include English subtitles.
Promotional, educational, or scientific content will not be accepted.
Once selected, a film cannot be withdrawn from the Festival during the event period.
5. For more details or questions, please email: uglfilmfestival@gmail.com
6. Selection and Notification
All submissions will be reviewed by the UGLFF Selection Committee.
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Selected films will be notified no later than 19 September 2025.
7. Selected Films Required Materials
Filmmakers whose work is selected will be required to submit the following materials no later than 26 September 2025:
A downloadable high-resolution link of the film for screening.
A completed UGLFF Participation Confirmation Form (provided upon selection).
A half-page synopsis in English.
Director’s photo, biography, and filmography.
Any trailers or posters for promotional use.
By submitting the confirmation form and materials, participants grant UGLFF a non-exclusive license to publicly screen the selected film during the 2025 Festival, including on any official online platforms used by the Festival.
8. Awards & Prizes
The Festival includes a competitive section. Awards will be presented to short and feature films that demonstrate outstanding creativity, storytelling, and viewer engagement.
Trophies will be awarded in each official competition category.
Please note: Not all selected films will qualify for competition.
All decisions made by the Selection Committee and Jury are final.
UGLFF reserves the right to adjust any rules or scheduling as necessary.
