The coastal town of Kilifi will play host to the 2025 Kilifi Film And Arts Festival (KFAF), an event that has grown into one of Kenya’s most anticipated celebrations of independent cinema and local artistry.
Running in October 2025, the festival promises to turn Kilifi into more than just a tourist destination. With a renewed commitment to showcasing independent filmmakers and artists, KFAF is a tribute to the power of storytelling and the language of cinema.
“Our goal has always been to uplift new voices in cinema and provide a meaningful platform for emerging talent,” said the KFAF organising team. “This year’s festival will be more immersive than ever, with a diverse lineup of events, from networking sessions and creative forums to acting and post-production masterclasses, guest speaker panels, director Q\&As, financing workshops, and exclusive film premieres. It’s all designed to inspire, connect, and empower the next generation of filmmakers.”
This year, KFAF is collaborating with The YORA Awards to welcome international entries in select categories, expanding its reach and elevating its prestige on the global stage.
Read about Kitale Film Festival
Awards
KFAF 2025 will present a range of awards recognizing excellence in various film categories. These include:
Feature Film Categories
- Best Narrative Feature Film
- Best Documentary Feature Film
Short Film Categories
- Best Narrative Short Film
- Best Documentary Short Film
- Best Animated Short Film
African Cinema Categories
- Best African Narrative Feature Film
- Best African Documentary Feature Film
Student and Emerging Filmmaker Categories
- Best Student Film
- Best Emerging Filmmakers
Submissions
Submissions are open until August 30th with staggered extensions between May 31 and June 30.
