Theme: SHOOT THE CULTURE

The Annual Film Mischief (TAFM) is the Film Rats Club Film Festival celebrating the best African and African diaspora cinema from across the world.

This edition of The Annual Film Mischief will pay tribute to outstanding portrayals of our vast cultural heritage. African filmmakers are pushing the frontiers of storytelling; building on ancestral foundations of oral literature and coursing fresh paths. TAFM ‘23 will be a part of that cultural revolution.

The Annual Film Mischief will run from April 27 – 30, 2023 playing guest at two physical venues in Lagos, Nigeria and also virtually.

This will be accompanied by a vibrant series of networking events, including director Q & As; as well as panel discussions on topical issues.

The Film Rats Club also supports new film-making talent through its students’ group- The Film Rats Yellow Project. Last year, the participants were coached by a group of consultants and made their movie ARCS on a budget; in line with the LESS IS MORE theme. It was screened at the closing ceremony to very encouraging reviews.

Awards & Prizes

Grand Mischief Prize
This plaque is awarded to the best film of the festival and is judged by a select panel

Audience Cheese Pick
This plaque is awarded to the best film selected by our audience at screenings throughout the festival.

The Yellow Cheese
This plaque is awarded to the best film of the Film Rats Yellow Project and is judged by a select panel

SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

In addition to our flagship 3 grand prizes, recognition will also be given to:

Best Actor
Best Director
Best Movie Poster
Best Production Design
Best Cinematography
Best Editing

Rules & Terms

CRITERIA -
1. Films that have been made by African and African diaspora filmmakers that are pertinent to the African experience.

N.B. Filmmakers do not have to be Film Rats Club members but are welcome to join.

2. All genres qualify for entry including experimental works and documentaries. They are also eligible for the festival awards.

HOW TO QUALIFY FOR OUR AWARDS -

The submission process for our Awards is the same as for the main programme - please follow the instructions set out below. The Annual Film Mischief will automatically consider all submitted films that comply with our Awards criteria.

RULES & TERMS

ELIGIBILITY
1. The Annual Film Mischief accepts shorts and feature-length projects, including fiction, documentary and experimental.

N.B. Short films should not exceed a running time of 30 minutes. Quite frankly, 10- 15 minutes will be considered optimal so shorter is better. Feature lengths should be from 50 minutes and above.

2. Year of production must be 2021 or after - any film made before this will not be considered.

3. English subtitles must be provided where necessary or your film will be deemed ineligible.

SUBMISSIONS
1. Multiple applications are allowed but must not exceed 5 films. However, you are encouraged to put your best foot forward.

2. To submit your film, you must own the rights, or have permission from the owners.

3. TAFM reserves the rights to accept or reject any work presented based on the content reviewed by the Panel.

4. All officially selected films will be screened at the festival.

5. While it pleases us at Film Rats Club if you decide to be a member, submitting your film does not guarantee automatic selection.

6. Films already available in the online space also qualify for consideration.

Disclaimer
1. Jurors act independently, in the strictest sense possible, and are not obligated to make comments on unselected films.

2. Festival reserves the right to alter dates of the events and/or submission deadlines. Do well to check in regularly for updates on information here.

3. Applying means that you grant TAFM permission to use, share and distribute your movie poster, trailer, synopsis and stills on our social media platforms.

4. By Submitting your Film into competition in the Annual Film Mischief, you expressly acknowledge and agree that you shall be bound by these rules and terms.

5. There is no submission fee to enter your film.

6. Please note that submissions will only be received via FilmFreeway

*Deadline for submission is 11:59PM Sunday, 1st January 2023.*
10 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Kagho Idhebor

    Great festival, good nxtworking and communication

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Charles Solomon

    Thanks for screening our films and congratulations on an awesome festival.
    See you next year!

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Ivie Irabor

    The Annual Film Festival was very well organized.
    Information was well circulated and they even made provisions for discounted transportation which was a very thoughtful thing.
    I look forward to the next Annual Film Mischief.

    May 2023
    Helpful
  • Yinusa A. Korede

    An awesome experience. Looking forward to the next.

    May 2023
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  • Adenrele Olowu

    The Festival was amazing and life changing as our film won the Grand Mischief prize for Best film at the festival.

    April 2022
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