The Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) has officially opened film submissions for its 9th edition, inviting filmmakers from around the world to participate in one of Northern Nigeria’s biggest celebrations of cinema, culture, and creativity.
The 2026 edition of the festival, themed “Cultural Renaissance,” is scheduled to hold from August 25 to 29, 2026, with film submissions closing on April 24, 2026.
Organisers announced that entries are open in multiple categories including Feature Film, Short Film, Animation, Student Film, Experimental Film, Documentary, and Indigenous Film. Films selected for the festival will compete for a wide range of awards such as Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, Best Feature Film, Best Indigenous Film, Best Animation, Best Short Film, Best Experimental Film, Best Documentary, Best Student Film, Best Cinematography, as well as the prestigious KADIFF 2026 Achievers Award.
Founded in 2018 by Audu Kashim Israel, KADIFF remains the first international film festival in Northern Nigeria. Over the years, the festival has grown into a major platform for showcasing African and global cinema while promoting cultural exchange and creative development across the region.
The five-day festival will feature film screenings, award ceremonies, exhibitions, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, seminars, and tourism activities, designed to foster artistic growth and strengthen cultural collaboration among filmmakers.
According to the organisers, all submitted films must meet acceptable technical standards for public screening. KADIFF also reserves the right to disqualify entries that conflict with the festival’s objectives, offend national sensitivities, promote racial discrimination, or contradict the cultural values of participating countries.
Entries will be reviewed by an international jury comprising renowned filmmakers, scholars, and media professionals. The jury is chaired by Dr. Charles Okwuowulu, DGN (Nigeria), and includes Associate Prof. Atul Marewad (India), John Coster (UK), Princess Faridah Ndausi (Uganda), Alison Richards (UK), Dr. Finest Uwaoma (Nigeria), Lulia Pereverzva (Russia), Nasiru Muhammad (Nigeria), and Yinka Ogun (Nigeria).
Filmmakers interested in participating can submit their works via FilmFreeway https://filmfreeway.com/Kadunainternationalfilmfestival.
As it prepares for its 2026 edition, the Kaduna International Film Festival continues to strengthen its role as a hub for cinematic dialogue, cultural renewal, and creative collaboration, offering filmmakers a valuable platform to showcase their work to both local and international audiences.
