Call for Entries — CRAFT: SmartPhilm 2.026

SmartPhilm Fest returns — smarter, bolder, more future-facing. On May 1, 2026, join us in Addis Ababa for CRAFT: SmartPhilm Fest, powered by Zeleman. This edition celebrates not just stories made on smartphones — but stories shaped by intelligence, innovation, and impact.

Why This Edition Matters
SmartPhilm has always been about accessibility, creativity, and mobile-first storytelling. In CRAFT: SmartPhilm Fest, we’re leaning into the smart — shining a light on how technology like AI can deepen creativity, and how urgent global issues like climate change demand new narratives. This is more than a festival — it's a lab for the next generation of storytellers and changemakers.

Awards & Prizes

🏆 Awards & Recognition
Winners will be honored in categories such as:
- SmartPhilm Grand Jury Award
- People’s Choice
- Smart Cinematography, Screenplay, Documentary, Cause, Sci-Fi, Emerging Talent, & more
- Craft Special AI Prize (for AI / Environment films)

Finalists and winners will receive:
- Digital laurels + certificates
- Physical trophies (where possible)
- Screening at our Addis event + virtual exposure

Rules & Terms

🎬 What We’re Looking For
All films must be shot entirely on a smartphone or mobile device — true to our roots — but they can be enhanced or complemented using artificial intelligence tools. This year we’re amplifying three theme streams:

1. AI & Humanity — Films that explore the intersection of artificial intelligence, creativity, identity, ethics, and the future of society.
2. The Changing Earth — Stories rooted in environment, sustainability, ecological futures, and community resilience.
3. Core Voices — Narrative, Documentary, Experimental, Animation, Social Justice, and Youth categories — continuing our mission of authentic mobile storytelling.

Submission Guidelines
- Film duration: minimum 1 minute, maximum 10 minutes (including credits)
- All footage must be captured on a mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc.). You may use external mics, lenses, or lighting equipment. You are also allowed to use AI throughout the filmmaking process.
- Films submitted in any language are welcome — please include English subtitles or transcript where possible.
21 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Sree Hari Varma Sagi

    Submitting Signal to SmartPhilm Festival festival was one of the best decisions we made during our run. The selection process felt genuinely curated, and being part of this lineup meant a lot to our team. The communication was warm and clear throughout. For a film we made on an iPhone with a small crew, getting selected here was a real validation. Highly recommend to any filmmaker looking for a festival that actually cares about the work.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Jean-Paul Wall

    Really fun and great networking

    May 2026
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  • Denzel Owoo

    Very grateful to be part of this festival

    May 2024
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  • H. D. Timmons

    Great festival for smartphone filmmakers and I am thriller and honored to have my first short film selected. Highly recommend this festival.

    March 2024
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  • Jimena Larraguivel

    Incredibly honoured to have been selected. Great to have been able to see everyone’s incredible work. Thank you! Until next time. Jimena

    March 2024
    Helpful