Isiphethu Programme

03/04/2026

We extend our heartfelt congratulations to renowned South African filmmaker Ntshavheni wa Luruli on being honoured by the Luxor African Film Festival as one of South Africa’s legendary filmmakers, in recognition of his remarkable contribution to African cinema. ✨🎬

With a career spanning decades, Ntshavheni wa Luruli continues to shape and inspire African storytelling through powerful narratives rooted in South African realities, culture and language. His acclaimed works, including Elelwani and The Wooden Camera, have earned international recognition and solidified his place as one of the continent’s most influential cinematic voices.

This honour was presented during the Opening Night of the Luxor African Film Festival, where he was introduced by DIFF Manager, Sakhile Gumede. This year’s tribute holds special significance, with South Africa as the country of focus, celebrating the nation’s rich and influential film heritage within the broader African cinematic landscape.
We are also proud to celebrate his role at the festival, where he served as a Jury Member for the Feature Films category further contributing his expertise and leadership to African cinema. 👏🏾🌍

Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition and for continuing to elevate African storytelling on the global stage.

DIFF AfricanStorytelling

01/04/2026

19/03/2026

*Vacancy Alert*
The Centre for Creative Arts (CCA), a multi-disciplinary Arts hub within the School of Arts, College of Humanities at the UKZN seeks to appoint Project & Development Officer on a 6 month fixed term contract. The appointed candidate will work on supporting the Centre’s varied development programmes across the Centre’s festivals but preference will be given to a candidate with a strong background in the film-sector.
For detailed information about the vacancy please see the advertisement at https://cca.ukzn.ac.za/project-and-development-officer-vacancy/

01/02/2026

The Centre for Creative Arts is proud to announce that the Time of the Writer festival assistant curator & project officer of the DALRO Can Themba Merit Award for Short Story Writing, Thalente Ndlovu, will attend the Bergen Literature Festival in Norway during February.
Her participation is supported by the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the National Arts Council.

28/01/2026

Ink-stitutions of Power. Time of the Writer 2026

At a time when the world is being rewritten by algorithms, autocrats, and viral myths, through bold Ink-stitutions of Power we ask a daring question: who controls the narratives that govern us? Through the frame of literature we reshape how that looks. From constitutions to contracts, poetry to protest, words do not merely describe reality they legislate it. Time of the Writer 2026 brings together bold local and global voices to examine how language builds nations, dismantles empires, and shapes resistance. Through readings, debates and performances, this year’s festival invites readers and writers alike to interrogate the power behind the page and to imagine new futures written in ink, not fear.

Programe details will be released on Monday 2nd February 2026.

05/12/2025

The DIFF at the Centre for Creative Arts, UKZN, would like to congratulate one of our IsiZulu Scriptwriting Programme alumni, Ms Fezeka Hlengi Mkhabela on being a beneficiary of the Durban Film Office's Development Programme Fund to the tune of R250 000.00. We wish her all the best on her new project! 🎉

27/11/2025

Submissions are officially open for the 47th edition of the Durban International Film Festival, taking place from 23 July - 2 August 2026!🎉🎬

We invite filmmakers from across the globe to submit their films with diverse, cinematic voices. We can’t wait to have your film apart of our 2026 programme!🙌

🗓️Early Bird Deadline: 9 January 2026
🗓️Final Deadline: 27 February 2026

Find out more info and submit your film via FilmFreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/DurbanFilmFest

We can't wait to have your film as part of our 2026 programme!🥳

25/11/2025

🎬✨ Lwazi Duma Nk’s feature film screens today at the Umlazi International Film Festival !

As one of our proud IsiZulu Scriptwriting Programme alumni, Lwazi continues to inspire with his talent and dedication.
We celebrate his achievements and can’t wait for audiences to experience his work🌟🙌

06/11/2025

A very exciting fellowship opportunity for non-fiction filmmakers from and living in Africa. Applications due November 30!🎥🎬

“A collaborative storytelling fellowship that connects regional filmmakers and social innovators in Africa (2026) to produce cinematic, short documentary films that catalyze positive change. These are films with a cause, rooted in real social issues and their solutions. SSP is from the Video Consortium, supported by the Skoll Foundation, for a more equitable future.”



https://videoconsortium.org/programs/ssp-africa-2026?mc_cid=f25d6a5e56 -ssp

27/10/2025

✨ In partnership with the Luthuli Museum, the Science Film Festival had the incredible opportunity to screen two inspiring short films “Advancing Fusion Technology” and “Plan Z: From Lab Coats to Handcuffs” for the bright students of Groutville High School! 🎬💡

This year’s festival theme, “Green Jobs,”sparked thought-provoking discussions and curiosity as students engaged passionately during the Q&A, sharing their insights and excitement about the future of sustainable science careers🌱⚙️

A huge thank you to Groutville High School, the Luthuli Museum, and all the amazing students for their enthusiasm, questions, and energy, you truly made this screening unforgettable! 🙌🎉

27/10/2025

🌿🎬 The Science Film Festival Online Session is now on YouTube! 💻✨
Join our amazing panel of professionals as they dive into the world of Eco-Friendly Filmmaking, perfectly aligned with this year’s inspiring theme: “Green Jobs.” 🌎💚

🎙️ Moderator: Sigwanda Khanyisa (Goethe-Institut)
🎥 Panelists: Gbenga Adeoti (Indie Filmmaker), Johara Khan (Researcher), and Dr. Troy Govender (ESG Specialist)

Don’t miss this insightful conversation on how the film industry can go green and make an impact, watch it now at the link below! 👇
https://youtu.be/jlHwdFisyFI?si=wxyY4G72nwkfuLIn

Eco-Friendly Filmmaking: Strategies to Address Environmental Challenges in Film Production. Gbenga Adeoti (Indie Filmmaker), Daniel Howells (AFDA), Johara Kh...