Young Lens Film Festival (YLFF) is a dynamic pan-African platform celebrating the creativity and originality of young filmmakers across Africa and the diaspora.

Held from May 1–4, 2025, YLFF is more than a film festival it is a movement amplifying new voices, fresh perspectives, and bold ideas that redefine African storytelling for a global audience.

Festival Highlights include:
Screenings & Competitions: Five competitive categories honouring storytelling, innovation, and vision.
Workshops & Masterclasses: Led by acclaimed professionals sharing real-world insights.
Panels & Discussions: Engaging conversations on the future of African cinema.
Networking & Collaboration: Connecting young filmmakers with mentors, producers, and investors.
Young Lens Film Club: A new monthly screening and discussion series that showcases standout submissions in the months leading to the festival, giving filmmakers early exposure and audience feedback.

Join us in shaping the future of African cinema where young visionaries find their voice, and Africa tells her stories in her own light.

Awards & Prizes

Young Lens Film Festival 2026 — Awards & Prizes

YLFF 2026 recognizes emerging excellence through a concise and competitive structure of five major awards designed to inspire innovation and reward storytelling mastery.

Competition Categories

Best Narrative Short — Fiction films (≤ 30 min) demonstrating originality, vision, and emotional impact.

Best Documentary Short — Non-fiction works capturing authentic African and diaspora experiences.

Best Student Film — Created within a film-school or training context by filmmakers ≤ 25 years old.

Best Animation / Experimental Film — Showcasing innovation in technique, design, or storytelling.

Audience Choice Award — Determined by public votes from both live and online audiences.

Prizes

• Custom YLFF Trophy
• Cash Prizes ($300–$500 per category)
• Feature placement on YLFF platforms and media partners
• Mentorship access with industry professionals
• Automatic nomination for the next edition’s “Future of Africa Talent Lab”

Internal / Honorary Awards – No Submission Needed

These will be chosen from Official Selections by the YLFF Jury and partners.

Future of Africa Award

Women in Focus Award

Young Visionary Award

Best Use of African Folklore

Social Impact Film Award

Pan-African Collaboration Award

Virtual Reality & New Media Award

Young Lens Film Club Spotlight Award

In addition to the core competition, selected submissions may be screened monthly at the Young Lens Film Club between December 2024 and April 2025.

These featured filmmakers will compete for the YLFF Film Club Spotlight Award, with winners receiving digital promotion, mentorship opportunities, and complimentary festival passes.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

• Entrants must be 18–30 years old (at submission time).
• Films must have been completed on or after June 1, 2024.
• Non-English films must include accurate English subtitles.
• All entries must be original creations of the filmmaker and free from copyright infringement.

Categories & Lengths

• Short Films — ≤ 30 minutes
• Feature / Long Short (experimental or documentary) — ≤ 45 minutes preferred

Submission Format

• Submit digitally via FilmFreeway in standard screening formats (.MP4 or .MOV).
• Include poster art, synopsis (≤ 200 words), and filmmaker bio (≤ 100 words).

Entry Fees

• Early Bird – $5 | Regular – $10 | Late – $15
• Verified student entries or submissions through partner film schools may be eligible for waivers.

Selection Process

Films will be evaluated by an independent jury based on:
• Storytelling • Originality • Technical Execution • Emotional Impact • Alignment with YLFF themes

Notification

• Official Selections announced April 6, 2025.
• Monthly Young Lens Film Club Selections announced between December 2024 and April 2025.

Screening Rights & Permissions

• By submitting, you grant YLFF the right to screen your film at the festival and Film Club, and to use approved clips/stills for promotion.
• Filmmakers retain full ownership of their works.

Conduct & Ethics

• Films promoting hate speech or discrimination will not be accepted.
• YLFF reserves the right to disqualify any submission that violates these terms.

Agreement

By submitting, entrants acknowledge and accept these rules. Festival decisions are final and binding.