The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) invites filmmakers from around the globe to submit their films for consideration for the 47th edition, taking place from 23 July – 2 August 2026. The submission window opens with discounted early bird rates, ending on 9 January 2026.

Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, DIFF is one of Africa’s most established and respected film festivals. Founded in 1979, it is the oldest and largest film festival in Southern Africa, presenting over one hundred screenings, all of which are premieres in this region. The festival is committed to showcasing diverse cinematic voices from across the continent and the world, and to providing a platform for ground-breaking and thought-provoking storytelling.

DIFF is an Oscar Qualifying Film Festival for Best Documentary, Best South African Documentary and Best Short Film.

This year, DIFF enters a new era under the leadership of the newly appointed Festival Manager, Sakhile Gumede, who brings fresh vision and renewed focus to programming excellence, industry development, and accessibility. 

Submission Eligibility

DIFF 2026 will accept:

• Films completed in 2025 or 2026
• Films that have not and will not screen publicly in South Africa or has been made available online in South Africa prior to the DIFF 2026 presentation. 

Categories

Submissions may be made in the following sections: 

Feature Films

African Fiction films of 60 minutes and above.

(Non-African feature films will be solicited.) 

Documentaries

African Documentary films of 60 minutes and above.

(Non-African documentary films will be solicited.) 

Short Films

Fiction and non-fiction under 60 minutes.

Open to filmmakers from all countries. 

Student Films

Fiction and non-fiction under 60 minutes.

Open to student filmmakers from all countries.

The director must be or have been enrolled in a tertiary institution during the year of production. 

Submission Deadlines & Fees

Submissions are made exclusively through Film Freeway. All submissions carry a fee based on the following deadlines: 

Early Bird Deadline: 9 January 2026

Regular Deadline: 27 February 2026

 Submit your film here: https://filmfreeway.com/DurbanFilmFest

Please ensure you read the Rules and Terms on FilmFreeway before submitting. 

These initiatives support filmmakers, nurture audiences, and strengthen film culture in the region.

For enquiries, please contact: di**@*****ac.za