DURBAN, South Africa – The 47th Durban International Film Festival (DIFF), presented by the Centre for Creative Arts at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, is proud to announce its official jury for the 2026 edition. Running from 23 July to 2 August 2026, the festival will rely on the expertise of a highly acclaimed panel of industry professionals to award the festival’s top honors, including the coveted Oscar®-qualifying awards for Best Documentary, Best South African Documentary, and Best Short Film.
“The integrity and prestige of DIFF’s competition rely entirely on the calibre of our jury,” says Festival Manager Sakhile Gumede. “We are honored to welcome this exceptional group of visionaries who will bring their profound expertise and diverse perspectives to adjudicate this year’s bold and uncompromising official selection.”
DIFF 2026 OFFICIAL JURY MEMBERS
Feature Film Jury
- Moussa Sene Absa (Senegal): A multi-disciplinary artist, writer, and celebrated film director. His illustrious career includes winning the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival for Madame Brouette and the Silver Tanit at the Carthage Film Festival.
- Beverley Mitchell (South Africa): A veteran storyteller with over 30 years of experience across Africa, Europe, and the Caribbean. She is a highly regarded showrunner, producer, and development executive who has led Writers’ Rooms globally to elevate premium African and Caribbean content.
- Eva du Preez (South Africa): A highly acclaimed director, producer, and SAFTA-winning editor. She has edited hit series such as Spinners and Trompoppie, and recently transitioned into directing with the Showmax series Wyfie and the kykNET series Die Oord.
Documentary Film Jury
- Julie Nederkoorn (Netherlands): Head of the International Programme at Movies that Matter. She brings over a decade of expertise in global human rights film festivals, providing funding, strategic guidance, and advocacy for filmmakers worldwide.
- Omelga Mthiyane (South Africa): A SAFTA-nominated documentary filmmaker from Inanda, KZN, whose work on cultural heritage and social justice has been broadcast on Al Jazeera and the BBC, and screened at Sundance and the Berlinale.
- Azza Elhosseiny (Egypt): Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Luxor African Film Festival. An experienced filmmaker and cultural manager, she leads initiatives supporting independent cinema and emerging filmmakers across Africa and the MENA region.
Short Film Jury
- Maganthrie Pillay (South Africa): A trailblazing filmmaker, activist, and the first black woman to direct a feature film in South Africa (34 South). She serves as Co-Chair of the Independent Black Filmmakers Collective and is a board member of the Durban FilmMart.
- Thea Small (South Africa): An award-winning commercial, music video, and narrative director. Recognized at the Loeries and Ciclope International Festival of Craft, her character-driven work has also earned her SAFTA nominations and writing credits on International Emmy-nominated television.
- Romeo Umulisa (Rwanda): A creative strategist and cultural producer. Founder of Hi Kigali and the Creative Africa Lab, he develops platforms that amplify underrepresented voices and strengthen African film industries through international partnerships.
Student Film Jury
- Raoul Rugamba (Rwanda): An EdTech expert, businessman, and founder of Africa In Colors, a pan-African creative ecosystem builder connecting over 100,000 creators globally to foster the rise of African art, culture, and technology.
- Sinesipho Makaula (South Africa): An award-winning Durban-born writer, director, and producer. She is the co-founder of Apple Shot Media, a SAFTA-nominated director with over 100 episodes of Uzalo to her credit, and winner of Best Female Director at the London Indie Short Film Festival.
- Lerato Bokako (South Africa): Artistic and Programming Director for FAME Shorts Film Festival and a programmer for the New York African Diaspora International Film Festival. She is dedicated to connecting audiences with exceptional indie cinema from across the continent.
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/