Date: 15th - 21st November 2026

    The Amathole District Film Festival (ADFF) is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to fostering the growth of the creative sector in the Eastern Cape. As a platform for cinematic excellence, cultural preservation, and industry development, ADFF aims to empower emerging and established filmmakers by providing access to opportunities, networks, and resources that help bring their stories to life.

    African stories matter. Through film, we preserve history, empower voices, and create opportunities for the next generation.

    Zinziswa Soga

    A Trailblazer in the South African Film Industry

    Welcome to the Amathole District Film Festival (ADFF) 2026

    The Amathole District Film Festival (ADFF) is a premier platform dedicated to celebrating diverse storytelling, empowering creatives, and fostering economic opportunities in marginalized communities. As a catalyst for industry growth, ADFF showcases groundbreaking films, facilitates skills development, and connects emerging and established talent with industry leaders.

    Rooted in the Eastern Cape, the festival is more than just a film showcase—it’s a movement to amplify local voices, inspire change, and create sustainable pathways for creatives in rural and urban spaces. Join us as we ignite creativity, nurture talent, and shape the future of African cinema.

    Support for the Amathole District Film Festival (ADFF)

    At ASPIRE, we believe in the transformative power of collaboration and innovation to drive economic growth and strengthen communities.We are proud to collaborate with EMBO OTT platform in launching the Amathole District Film Festival (ADFF) and its associated programs. This initiative represents a unique opportunity to highlight the vibrant cultural heritage and boundless potential of the Amathole District, while fostering sustainable development across multiple sectors.

    The ADFF is not merely a festival, it is a movement that seeks to position the Amathole District as ahub for creativity, tourism, and filmmaking. By bringing together local talent, internationalstakeholders, and visitors from across the globe, the festival will shine a spotlight on the excitinglandscapes, rich traditions, and compelling stories that define our region. Through captivating films,engaging tourism initiatives, and meaningful partnerships, the ADFF will celebrate the diversity andcreativeness of our communities while opening new doors for cultural exchange and economicopportunity.

    We envision the ADFF as a catalyst for growth that extends far beyond the festival itself. By investing in creative industries and tourism, we are creating jobs, attracting investment, and promoting the Amathole District as a prime destination for filmmakers, tourists, and entrepreneurs. Furthermore, we aim to inspire a new generation of local talent to dream big, harness their creative skills, and showcase their work on a global stage.

    ASPIRE is fully committed to supporting this vision and ensuring that the ADFF and its programs deliver meaningful impact for the people of the Amathole District. Together, we are building a brighter future, a future in which our region’s stories are celebrated, our communities are uplifted, and our district takes its rightful place on the map as a destination for culture, creativity, and connection.

    We invite everyone, partners, residents, and visitors alike to join us in this exciting journey and be part of a movement that will define the legacy of the Amathole District for generations to come.

    Avuyile Xabadiya (CEO, ASPIRE)

    Alazar

    Year: 2024 | Genres: Fiction

    In contemporary Ethiopia, a farming community’s exodus is disrupted when the patriarch of a prominent family disappears from his grave. Tessema, his son, begins to question the church’s divine explanation, forcing him to launch his own investigation.

    Key Actors:

    Surafel Teka
    Adamu Zeleke
    Zewdnesh Kassa
    Mikias Demise
    Tekle Abate
    Hanna Getnet

    Directed by: Beza Hailu LEMMA

    ⁠Producers:

    Gobez Media Inc
    Les Cigognes Films
    Kidam
    Condor

    Disco Afrika

    Year: 2024

    A Malagasy Story is a story influenced by the moods and fashions of the ’70s. I want to invite the audience to return to that era when many values and civic movements emerged in the aftermath of independence throughout Africa. This marked an artistic and musical awakening, which was a continuation of the struggles of the independence movements.

    Key Actors:

    Parista SAMBO
    Laurette RAMAWSINJANAHARY
    Joe LEROVA
    Drwina RAZAFIMAHALEO
    Jérôme OZA

    Directed by: Luck RAZANAJAONA

    ⁠Producers:

    Jonathan RUBIN
    François MAGAL

    Katanga

    Year: 2025 | Genres: Narrative

    After a failed conspiracy against the crown, the king Pazouknaam names his cousin Katanga as head of the armed forces. Conscious of the weight of this role, Katanga consults a soothsayer to assure the success of his mission. Reading the sands, the soothesayer tells Katanga that he will either succeed his cousin as king or die during a future coup

    Key Actors:

    Mahamadi nana
    Hafissata coulibaly
    Rasmané ouédraogo
    Adissa ilboudo
    Justin ouidiga
    Ildevert méda

    Directed by: Dani Kouyaté

    ⁠Producers:

    Sahélis Productions
    YeelenBa Productions

    ADFF Funders

    ADFF Partners & Supporters

    Media Partners

    Venue Sponsorship & Host

      Our mission is to bridge the gap between emerging creatives and industry leaders, ensuring sustainable careers in film, television, and digital media. We believe in the power of storytelling to inspire, educate, and drive socio-economic change, and ADFF is committed to unearthing raw talent, creating employment opportunities, and showcasing Eastern Cape’s rich heritage on global screens.

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