Kingdom In The Sky Conservation International Film Festival (KITS-CIFF) (2)

Festival Start: 19 November 2026      Festival Ende: 21 November 2026

THE FESTIVAL

Heritage, told at altitude.

An annual, rotating festival at the meeting point of heritage conservation and cultural preservation, told through film and storytelling. Inaugurated in 2025 to carry Lesotho's cultural heritage across all ten districts, the 2026 Maseru edition is reimagined: cost-effective, impact-driven, and built to immerse participants in heritage while equipping creatives and conservationists through education, networking and storytelling.

Position the Creative Cultural Industry as a business sector, and a future.

Promote conservation as a cultural and economic asset.
Use film and media as tools for advocacy, education and economic opportunity.

Connect creatives, conservation actors, policymakers and funders.
Build local and international visibility for Lesotho's creative and conservation sector.

Awards go to outstanding films and filmmakers whose work shows creativity, originality and excellence.

Kingdom in the Sky – Conservation International Film Festival
Official Terms & Conditions & Program

Organizers
The festival is organized by GEM Institute in partnership with Mokhabebe Creative Lab.

Location & Dates

Festival Dates: November 19–21, 2026

Location: Maseru, Lesotho

Submission Window: July 24, 2026 – October 31, 2026

Platform: Submissions must be submitted exclusively via Festhome.

Eligibility & Categories

Eligibility: Open to filmmakers worldwide with free submission.

Categories: Short Films, Feature Films, Documentaries, Student Films, and Film Music & Culture.

Official Festival Schedule
DAY 1 · NOV 19 · BASE CAMP (1,400 M)
Heritage, Culture & Film

Historical Walk: Guided tour through Maseru (Sea Point, Makoanyane Square, Vodacom Park) exploring local history, heritage, and creative roots.

Creative Arts Exhibition: Showcase of Basotho talent across graphic design, fine art, fashion, and multidisciplinary arts.

Film Screenings: Debut screenings of selected local and international films.

DAY 2 · NOV 20 · MID-SLOPE (2,400 M)
Creative Industry Symposium & Masterclasses

Creative Industry Symposium: Keynote panels uniting creators, government leaders, and investors to build a commercially viable local economy.

Breakout Discussions:

Area 01: Marketing and branding

Area 02: Access to funding and investment

Area 03: Financial management and bookkeeping

Area 04: Business registration and formalisation

Area 05: Monetising creative work

Area 06: Building sustainable creative businesses

Masterclasses: Practical training sessions focused on business development, career growth, and market access.

DAY 3 · NOV 21 · THE SUMMIT (3,482 M)
Film & Television Awards and Networking

Summit Screenings: Final showcase screenings on the summit.

Film & Television Awards: Gala honoring outstanding local/international films, standard-setting creators, and Industry Legends.

Regional Networking: Closing reception connecting delegates across Lesotho, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and beyond to form future partnerships.