18/02/2026
UHURU FILM FESTIVAL 2026 OPENS SUBMISSIONS FOR ITS 3RD ANNUAL EDITION
| Films |
Uhuru Film Festival
16 February 2026
Mokopane, Limpopo, South Africa - The Uhuru Film Festival is thrilled to announce the official opening of film submissions for its 3rd annual edition, set to run from 24–27 September 2026 in Mokopane, South Africa, coinciding with South Africa’s Tourism and Heritage Month. Submissions are now live on filmfreeway - Uhuru Film Festival (http://filmfreeway.com/UhuruFilmFestival) as of the 16 February 2026.
Anchored in the theme “Reclaim the Narrative,” Uhuru 2026 invites filmmakers, content creators, and storytellers across the African continent to submit work that challenges stereotypes, amplifies authentic voices, and puts ownership of African stories firmly in African hands. This edition expands its scope to target a broader slate of African filmmakers, positioning the festival as a pan-African cinematic showcase with global resonance.
The festival programme will feature a carefully curated lineup of features, shorts, documentaries, and experimental works, highlighting diverse perspectives and storytelling forms. Complementing screenings, industry masterclasses, pitching labs, and creative workshops will provide emerging and established filmmakers with actionable skills in narrative structure, performance, and content strategy; tools designed to accelerate sustainable careers in film and digital content.
Uhuru 2026 will go beyond the frame, fusing cinema with spoken word, nightlife activations, and fashion showcases, creating a 360-degree cultural experience that reflects Africa’s creative dynamism and resonates with international audiences.
Through multi-venue activations, the festival will activate community spaces, support local enterprises, and showcase Mokopane and the greater Mogalakwena region as a vibrant cultural tourism hub.
The 2026 edition reasserts the festival’s commitment to using cinema as a transformative force, reclaiming narratives, reshaping perceptions, and celebrating the power and diversity of African storytelling.
For submissions and festival updates:
🌍 www.uhurufilmfestival.co.za