The Durban International Film Festival (DIFF) invites filmmakers from South Africa, Africa and around the world to submit their films for its 48th edition, taking place from 15 to 25 July 2027.
Presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, DIFF is one of Africa’s leading film festivals and the oldest film festival in Southern Africa. Since its founding in 1979, DIFF has brought local and international cinema to Durban audiences while creating opportunities for filmmakers to connect with audiences, industry professionals and fellow filmmakers.
Submit Your Film for Consideration for DIFF 2027
Submissions open: 15 September 2026
Early Bird Deadline: 23 November 2026
Regular Deadline: 15 January 2027
Notification Date: 4 May 2027
Film Submissions Accepted
DIFF accepts African and South African feature films and documentaries of 60 minutes or longer through Film Freeway, as well as short films and student films under 60 minutes from around the world. Non-African Feature films will be solicited by the festival.
Our programme celebrates diverse voices and filmmaking from emerging and established filmmakers, with a dedicated Student Film section supporting filmmakers at the beginning of their careers.
Awards & Competition
Selected films are eligible for consideration across a range of awards, including:
- Best Feature Film
- Best South African Feature Film
- Best Documentary
- Best South African Documentary
- Best Short Film
- Best South African Short Film
- Best Student Film
- Best South African Student Film
DIFF’s competition includes an independent jury, with Best Documentary, Best South African Documentary and Best Short Film qualifying for consideration for the Academy Awards®.
Who Can Submit?
Films must have been completed after 1 January 2026 and must meet DIFF’s eligibility requirements. Films that were previously submitted and declined for DIFF 2026 will not be considered for the 48th edition.
Films must not have been previously released or screened in South Africa, including on South African television, streaming services or in cinemas, before their DIFF 2027 presentation. DIFF requires a South African premiere for all films selected.
Films in languages other than English must include English subtitles.
Ready to Submit?
Submissions will be accepted through FilmFreeway.
For full eligibility requirements, submission categories, rules and deadlines, visit the DIFF FilmFreeway submission page.
For enquiries, contact diff@ukzn.ac.za.