The International Fiction Competition of the Luanda International Film Festival (FIC Luanda) 2026 has presented the first films from its selection, featuring works from Portugal, Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Spain, among others. 

Taking place from 28 October to 2 November 2026 in Luanda, FIC Luanda returns 11 years after its last edition, at a time of renewal for Angolan cinema and increased exchange with other cinematographies. 

The International Fiction Competition marks this new chapter of the festival, bringing together a selection of documentaries, feature films and short films by African, European and South American filmmakers, produced between 2025 and 2026.

Among the confirmed titles are “Variations on a Theme”, directed by Devon Delmar and Jason Jacobs (South Africa), winner of the Best Film Award at the 2026 International Film Festival Rotterdam; “Sirat”, by Spanish filmmaker Oliver Laxe, winner of the Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival last year; and “Congo Boy”, directed by Rafiki Fariala (Democratic Republic of Congo), which premiered this year in the “Un Certain Regard” section of the Cannes Film Festival, where it received the Best Actor Award.

The preliminary list already announced also includes titles such as “Time to Change”, by Angolan filmmaker Pocas Pascoal (Portugal); “I Only Rest in the Storm”, by Pedro Pinho (Portugal); “Amilcar”, by Miguel Eek (Spain); “Narciso”, by Jeferson De (Brazil); and “The Odds”, by Nigerian director Kewa Oni.

Together, these films create a dialogue between different cultures, experiences and storytelling approaches, exploring universal themes such as identity, survival, dreams and transformation, while revealing the diversity of voices shaping contemporary cinema.

“The selection of these first films reflects, on one hand, FIC Luanda’s ambition to create a platform capable of bringing different cinematographies closer together, placing Angola in dialogue with the international festival circuit and promoting greater circulation of stories and talent between Africa and the world; and, on the other hand, the intention to present films that represent the remarkable moment of contemporary African cinema,” said Lara Sousa, the festival’s programmer.

FIC Luanda 2026 is expected to present approximately 120 films from more than 18 countries, distributed across national and international competitive sections, as well as parallel showcases. The program will also include complementary activities aimed at promoting training and exchange between filmmakers, industry professionals and diverse audiences.

The return of FIC Luanda is part of a broader movement to revitalize Angola’s audiovisual sector, promoted by the National Agency for Cultural and Creative Industries (ANICC) of Angola. The rehabilitation of cinemas, investment in training, and the strengthening of conditions for the production, circulation and exhibition of films within FIC Luanda 2026 are part of this strategy to rebuild a sustainable connection between creators, the industry and audiences.

In the coming years, FIC Luanda aims to establish itself among the leading cinematic events on the African continent, contributing to the strengthening of film production, distribution and exhibition networks across Sub-Saharan Africa.