Harambee Africa International Foundation announces the 11th edition of the International Prize “Communicating Africa – Telling the Africa that Surprises” with the aim of promoting an authentic narrative, far from stereotypes, that reflects the complexity and vitality of the African continent.

An Africa that surprises with its creativity, the resourcefulness of its people, locally generated solutions, community strength, cultural richness, and social and technological innovation.

The Prize seeks to give space to stories that reveal a continent in transformation: not denying the difficulties, but highlighting the daily commitment, courage, and capacity for change.

Harambee means 'All together' in Swahili and sums up the meaning of this organisation. All together to accompany a continent that has much to teach the world.

Competition Categories
The competition is open to audiovisual productions that tell stories of development, innovation, inclusion, and solidarity. To ensure fair evaluation, entries are divided into four categories based on the producer's profile:

A Professional individual productions – created by video-makers, journalists, or independent professionals (max duration: 60 minutes);

B Non-profit organization productions – created by organizations with social aims (max duration: 60 minutes);

C Commercial entity productions – created by entities with greater technical and financial resources, such as agencies, broadcasters, or production companies (max duration: 60 minutes);

D Young creatives (under 25) – short videos with a maximum duration of 5 minutes. Direct experience in Africa is not required, but stories reflecting themes of personal growth, resilience, coexistence, solidarity, integration, and inclusion are encouraged.

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NOTE:
A small fee of €5 is required to join the award to cover expenses, however should you have difficulty you can enter this code to participate in the contest for free: HCAA11

Awards & Prizes

Jury and Awards
a. A panel of industry experts will evaluate the submitted works and select the winners for each category. The jury reserves the right not to assign awards in all categories.
b. Winners will be awarded during an event to be held YUMA in Washington DC on October 10, 2026. Participation expenses are the responsibility of the winners. The monetary prize (subject to applicable tax regulations) is € 1,500 for each winner in categories A, B, and C and a total of € 500 for the young creatives in category D.

Rules & Terms

Priority Themes
Entries that offer a fresh and original perspective on contemporary Africa will be especially valued, particularly those addressing:
• Education and training as fundamental tools for the integral development of the person and sustainable societal progress;
• Human dignity, to be respected in every context, regardless of social, economic, or cultural background;
Solidarity and cooperation as essential elements of community life;
• The family as a fundamental nucleus for personal and social growth;
• Positive integration in Western societies, promoting intercultural understanding and harmonious coexistence;
• Innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship serving the common good;
• Access to clean and sustainable energy as a key driver of human development and social inclusion, enabling education, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and community resilience.

Participation Requirements
a. Participants must submit an audiovisual work that aligns with the themes described and fits one of the categories listed above.
b. The audiovisual work may be in any original language, but if it is not in English, French, Italian, or Spanish, subtitles must be included.

Submission Method and Deadline:
a. Registration is done through online submission on this page on the platform FilmFreeway.
In the same form, personal information and proof of authenticity and ownership of the product will be required.
b. The deadline for submitting entries is June 15, 2026.

Copyright:
a. Participants retain the copyright to their works but grant the competition the right to screen and promote selected videos for non-commercial purposes.
b. Participants guarantee that the works they submit are their own and do not infringe on the rights of third parties.

Final Provisions:
a. Participation in the competition implies acceptance of all the provisions of these regulations.
b. The jury's decision is final and not subject to appeal.
c. The organization reserves the right to make changes to these regulations, with prior notification through the official website.