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 short films for the upcoming edition, running from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
This year’s official line-up brings together 24 Short Films to compete for the Best Short Film (Oscar-Qualifying Award) and the Best South African Short Film Award in the 47th Edition of the Durban International Film Festival Shorts Programme this year. These short films comprise authentic cultural perspectives, systemic struggles, and human triumphs.
“Short films are the vanguard of cinema. They are a materialised embodiment of risk-taking, technical success and the true telling of its reality, respectfully; this is beautifully captured / translated in every frame.” says the DIFF Festival Manager Mr. Sakhile Gumede. “This year’s curated shorts offer an extraordinary global dialogue, bridging deeply moving local South African realities with visionary narratives from across the world.”
Official DIFF 2026 Short Films in Competition:
South African Films:
- A Nation’s Fight for Identity and Justice – Pretty Mothata (South Africa)
- Colour of Dreams – Peter Smuts (South Africa)
- Fracture – Alex Fynn (South Africa)
- One Day at a Time – Mehita Iqani (South Africa)
- Perception – Miselwa “Missy” Ngamlana (South Africa)
- The Break-In – Sizwe Kubeka (South Africa)
- Verses My Brother Taught Me – Thomo Tshipinyane (South Africa)
- Vimba 2 – Monde Gumede (South Africa)
- Vultures – Dian Weys (South Africa / France)
Pan-African & International Films:
- Boy No Fear – Jonathan Curtiss (Uganda)
- Braza – Diane Maia (Brazil)
- Buah (Fruit) – Jen Nee Lim (Singapore)
- Butty – Liz Cartwright (United Kingdom)
- Café? – Bamar Kane (France)
- Close Your Eyes Hind – Amir Zaza (Netherlands)
- Dëmm – Aida Captijn (Senegal)
- Flock – Mac Nixon (United Kingdom)
- Hope Is Lost – Eno Enefiok (North Macedonia / United Kingdom)
- Mari Lewyd – Charlie Grayson (United Kingdom)
- My Brother Lyosha and I – Lena Tronina (Kazakhstan)
- Nelson Mandela: The Man Behind the Legend – Alex Strizhevskii (Russia)
- Please Hold – Solal Bouloudnine (France)
- This Is Your Captain Speaking – Nienke Deutz, Digna Van Der Put (Belgium / Netherlands)
DIFF is an Academy Award® qualifying film festival in the Best Short Film category. Selection into our Official Short Film Competition already places filmmakers’ work among an exceptional line-up, while winning the DIFF Best Short Film Award provides eligibility to submit your film for Oscar consideration, offering a valuable pathway to international recognition and prestige.
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 100 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/