Ekurhuleni International Film Festival (7)

Festival start: 26 June 2026      Festival end: 28 June 2026

Theme
Our theme is simple and it is just one word: INNOVATION

Motivation
We encourage filmmakers to come up with innovative concepts and tell unique stories that promote peace and prosperity in their countries.

Vision
Promote international solidarity and a myriad of opportunities for filmmakers, businesses and broadcasters through film.
 
Mission
Create a self sustainable film industry and a new world class breed of filmmakers.

Background History
The Ekurhuleni International Film Festival was formed as a result of Siyafunda Programme an initiative by Rhythm Cycle Trading Projects in partnership With Ekurhuleni’s Metropolitan Municipality: Department: SRAC: Performing Arts division .The purpose of the Programme is to empower the unemployed youth economically and provide them with vital filmmaking skills. Promote the local businesses in the film industry and promote Social cohesion and mainstream youth development. Promoting indigenous music and instruments and participation in the arts is one of the key roles of the Programme.

The Cinematography wing of the project initiated the Ekurhuleni International Film Festival through one of its partners Rhythm Cycle Projects a local Film & Television film production company. The purpose of the festival is to empower Emerging local and international filmmakers. This will provide filmmaking skills; create networking opportunities with local and international broadcasters. This will also promote the local businesses through the film industry and mainstream economic development across a myriad of sectors of the economy.
 

Introduce young aspirant filmmakers to wildlife filmmaking
Educate the people about the natural world and films
Create networking opportunities for local filmmakers, broadcasters and funders
Promote indigenous music
Enrichment of the arts
Promote culture and heritage
Boost tourism
Mainstream youth development
Attract broadcasters
Create jobs and economic opportunities

Aims & Objectives

1.To ensure that every government department has a progress report on video in preparation for the next financial year.

2.To educate people how our government operates and help them identify what, how they can contribute to boost our economy and get benefits.

3.To develop an advertising medium for SMMEs, Big companies, banks and Educational institutions to generate revenue for the project to empower participants while they are studying.

4.To create a local film industry that will alleviate poverty in rural areas by making films that will tell their stories and attract the international market.

5.To transfer filmmaking skills to the youth out of school and the unemployed.

6.Showcase South Africa’s storytelling talent and introduce a new generation of characters through film and TV productions .

7.To establish partnerships with other territories to implement Co-Production Treaties that RSA signed with other countries to grow our local film industry.

Programme
Registrations
Welcome and Official Opening
Exhibitions
Workshops
Seminars
Screenings
Adjudication
Networking Sessions
Fun walks
Wine tasting
Ekurhuleni International Film Awards

Cash Prizes: 555$

1. 1.BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM
2. 2.BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM
3. 3.BEST SOUTH AFRICAN FEATURE FILM
4. 4.BEST SOUTH AFRICAN SHORT FILM
5. 5.BEST EKURHULENI FEATURE FILM
6. 6.BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
7. 7.BEST SHORT FILM
8. 8.BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
9. 9.BEST EDITING
10. 10.BEST SOUND
11. 12.BEST TRAILER/PROMO/ADVERT
12. 13.BEST MUSIC VIDEO
13. 14.BEST DIRECTOR
14. 15.BEST PRODUCER
15. 16.BEST ACTOR
16. 17.BEST ACTRESS
17. 18.MOST INNOVATIVEFILM
18. 19.BEST MAKE UP

Who Can Submit a Film?

As long as you are a College or University student or an independent producer you can submit a film. This year we’re accepting submissions mainly from: Africa, Latin America, Asia and The rest of the world.

The person submitting the film must have had a major creative role in the production of the film.

What’s the Submission Process?
Your submission should include the following:

A trailer of your film. This can be delivered to us or emailed to as an mov or mp4 file. Trailers will be used to advertise the Film Festival.

Who Decides Which Films Will Be Screened?
The Ekurhuleni International Film Festival (EIFF) is organizing the 5th Annual Film Festival. Members of the selection committee will view the films and decide which ones are screened at the festival. We will likely screen all submissions, but it is based on the amount and length of the submissions we receive.

What Kinds of Film Are You Looking For?
We are looking for any genre and style of film. Be it documentary or experimental.

What’s In It For Me?
You get to show your film to a huge audience! EIFF has appointed a Film Festival Awards Selection Committee, which will vote on and distribute awards the submitted films.

Trophies and Certificates
The festival reserves the rights not to carry any costs pertaining to receipt of trophies.All winners must make arrangements with their diplomatic missions to collect trophies or prizes on their behalf.

Rules & Terms

1.We need innovative content which has no copyright infringement.

2.Fill in the submission form on the website under submission.

3.Previous winners are not allowed to enter.

4.We do not have prize money we only offer laurels, certificates and trophies.

5.The decision of our judges is final no correspondence will be entered into.

6.No replication and duplication of films is allowed.

7.If your film is in any language other than English please do English subtitles.

8.Please provide accurate information so that we can compile your stuff accurately.

10.Last but not least we wish you all the best