Submissions

YOUR FILM AT THE

48 DURBAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Durban International Film Festival calls for submissions in November each year. Submissions are made through the festivals FilmFreeway page.

While the DIFF premieres films from all over the world, across all its programme sections, only submissions from African countries are accepted for feature fiction and documentary. Feature-length films produced outside of Africa, for features and documentaries are solicited – while international short and student films are accepted. 

Oscar-Qualifying Film Festival

DIFF is the only Oscar-qualifying film festival in Southern Africa.

Winners of Best Documentary, Best South African Documentary and Best Short Film at DIFF are eligible to enter their films for consideration for the Academy Awards.

Section

Form

Length

Submit

Feature

Fiction

Over 60 minutes

African Countries Only

Documentary

Non-Fiction

Over 60 minutes

African Countries Only

Short Film

Fiction & Non-Fiction

Under 60 minutes

All Countries

Student Film

Fiction & Non-Fiction

Under 60 minutes

All Countries

Eligibility

  • Films must not have been shown on South African television, internet streaming services or shown to a public audience before screening at DIFF.
  • Films must have been completed after 1 January 2026 to be eligible for submission.
  • The festival requires a DCP (Digital Cinema Package) for the exhibition.
  • Films where the language is not English, must have English subtitles.
  • Film submissions must be submitted by a representative who has the authority to do so.
  • The director of student films must be enrolled in a tertiary institution during the year that the film is produced and submitted for the festival.

Apply

Submissions open: 15 September 2026
 Early Bird Deadline: 23 November 2026
 Regular Deadline: 15 January 2027
 Notification Date: 4 May 2027

Submit Film

Programming

The programme is curated by Sakhile Gumede, Festival Manager & Head of Programming. His advisory committee consists of seventeen industry professionals. 

DIFF upholds Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Creativity as guaranteed in Section 16 of the South African Constitution. The festival recognizes that artists may sometimes live and work in States whose values may not always be in accordance with the values of the South African Constitution, but the Centre for Creative Arts commits to protect and advance the rights of any artist who freely chooses to participate in the Centre’s festivals where their voices and artistic expressions can contribute to building a better world for all people.

Film still: DÈJÀ NU directed by Rolf Hellat