DURBAN, South Africa – The 47th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, has officially unveiled its highly anticipated selection of feature films for the upcoming edition, running from the 23 July to 2 August 2026.
This year’s official line-up features 19 outstanding films competing for the Best Feature Film and Best South African Feature Film awards. These films explore a wide range of stories and themes, including personal journeys, environmental change, and historical events, offering audiences powerful and engaging viewing experiences.
“The Features programme is one of the most anticipated sections of the festival calendar, and this year we are proud to present globally acclaimed titles with a strong international footprint. DIFF remains a gateway to African cinema, and our curation is guided by inclusivity through programming titles with a broad range of topical issues. Film also plays a key role in tourism and economic development by showcasing destinations, attracting visitors, and creating opportunities within the creative sector,” says DIFF Festival Manager Sakhile Gumede.
Official DIFF 2026 Feature Films in Competition:
South African Films & Co-Productions
- Dance With Me – Romanuse Lindelani Langa (South Africa)
- Protea – Desmond Denton (South Africa)
- The Drive – Bruce Retief, Tafara Nyansanza (South Africa)
- Themba – Luthando Mngomezulu (South Africa)
Pan-African & International Perspectives
- Calle Malaga – Maryam Touzani (Morocco, France, Spain, Germany, Belgium)
- Cotton Queen – Suzannah Mirghani (Germany, France, Palestine, Sudan)
- Early Winter – Özcan Alper (Turkey)
- If I Go Will They Miss Me – Walter Thompson-Hernández (USA)
- Lefty – Vladimir Besedin (Russia)
- My Friend – Mohamed Zran (Tunisia)
- No Good Men – Shahrbanoo Sadat (Germany, France, Norway, Denmark, Afghanistan)
- One Woman One Bra – Vincho Nchogu (Kenya, Nigeria)
- Poachers Moon – Tom Datnow (United Kingdom)
- Red Silk – Andrey Volgin (Russia)
- Shame and Money – Visar Morina (Germany, Kosovo, Slovenia, Albania, North Macedonia, Belgium)
- Tableau Ferraille – Moussa Séne Absa (Senegal)
- The Color of Exile – Azlarabe Alaoui (Côte d’Ivoire, France, Morocco)
- The Little Sister – Hafsia Herzi (France, Germany)
- Unidentified – Haifaa Al Mansour (Saudi Arabia)
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS:
About the Durban International Film Festival
Founded in 1979, the Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) is Southern Africa’s oldest and largest film festival, hosted by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Screening over 70 films annually, DIFF provides an essential platform for contemporary African and international cinema.
Media Contact:
Email: diff@ukzn.ac.za
Phone: +27 31 260 2506
Website: https://ccadiff.ukzn.ac.za/