ABOUT THE FESTIVAL

A Global Celebration of African Life Through Documentary Cinema

The Africa World Documentary Film Festival (AWDFF) is a dynamic, traveling documentary festival based in San Diego, California, with a mission to amplify the voices, histories, and cultures of Africa and its global diaspora.

Each year, AWDFF curates a compelling selection of 50 to 60 thought-provoking films from over 300 submissions worldwide. Our selection committee seeks works that explore the rich complexity of African experiences across borders and generations. Filmmakers from a wide range of countries—including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Cuba, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, the Netherlands, Nigeria, South Africa, the UK, and the USA, among many others—have been featured in the festival.

Through powerful storytelling and visual impact, AWDFF is committed to advancing global understanding of Africa’s cultural and social realities. The festival continues to form strategic partnerships with venues and institutions worldwide to exhibit these remarkable documentaries and engage communities in critical dialogue.

We warmly welcome inquiries from potential collaborators. If you're interested in hosting a festival screening or partnering with AWDFF as a venue partner, we invite you to join us in sharing these extraordinary films with audiences around the globe.

‘Niyi Coker, Jr.
Festival Director

General Rules & Regulations

General Rules & Submission Guidelines

📽️ Eligibility & Film Requirements

  • Submissions must be documentary films completed within the last three years prior to the festival year.
  • All films not in English must include accurate English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
  • Submitted films must not be under copyright dispute or subject to production restrictions.
  • No edits, alterations, or cuts will be made by AWDFF to any submission for any reason.
  • Excerpts may be used for promotional purposes only with prior written permission from the producer or rights holder.

🏆 Awards

  • $1,000 USD to the best feature-length documentary that significantly contributes to global understanding of the African World.
  • $500 USD to the most impactful short documentary.

💰 Submission Fees

  • All submissions must include a non-refundable fee, payable online by credit card via FilmFreeway.
  • Submissions will not be considered without payment and a working screener.

🎬 Screening Requirements

  • All films must be submitted via a secure online screener, either:
    • As a password-protected Vimeo link (included in your FilmFreeway submission), or
    • Uploaded directly to FilmFreeway.
  • Screener links and passwords must remain active through December 30, 2026.
  • If changes to your screener link or password occur after submission, email us immediately.
  • In the event of technical issues, AWDFF will attempt to contact the submitter. Failure to respond before the final deadline will result in disqualification without refund.
  • We do not accept screener links via email. All links must be embedded in your FilmFreeway submission.

🕶️ Virtual Reality & Interactive Submissions

  • For VR projects, submit either:
    • A 360-enabled screener (e.g., Vimeo, YouTube), or
    • Both a 360 screener and a downloadable version.
  • Interactive works must be submitted as a video walkthrough of the project. Do not send executable builds.

📚 Archiving and Research Use

All accepted submission listings are archived as research material at the following academic institutions:

  • San Diego State University (USA)
  • University of the West Indies – Barbados
  • University of the West Indies – Mona, Jamaica
  • Srinakharinwirot University (Thailand)
  • I-REP Documentary Festival (Nigeria)
  • Stellenbosch University (South Africa)

Note: These works are available for scholarly and academic research only. Public previews require the consent of the filmmaker or their authorized representative.

📅 Submissions for the 2027 Festival

  • Submissions must include:
    • A completed online form
    • A working screener
    • Full submission fee
  • Only submissions marked "In Consideration" will be reviewed by the selection committee.
  • If your status has not updated within 10 business days of submission, please contact us for assistance.

📰 Press Materials

  • Press kits, stills, and supporting documentation may be attached digitally to your submission.
  • Please do not send hard copies under any circumstances.

✉️ Contact Information

For questions or additional details, email us at: contact@africaworldfilmfestival.com

✅ Submission Attestation

By submitting your film, you affirm that you are either:

  • The filmmaker, or
  • The film’s authorized agent or representative with full rights to enter the film into AWDFF.

Submit Your Film

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