NBO Film Festival, an annual film event based in Kenya, has started accepting submissions for its latest edition from 9th March, 2026.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
NBO Film Festival, an annual film event based in Kenya, has started accepting submissions for its latest edition from 9th March, 2026.
Committed to the promotion of a vibrant film culture in Kenya, NBO Film Festival showcases local and international titles every year, prioritising the professional development of African filmmakers and storytellers. It is a strong advocate for the expression of Kenyan voices, ensuring continued conversations around previously censored films such as Stories of Our Lives and Rafiki.
As with previous years, all films in other languages apart from English are required to include English subtitles. Films must have been completed within 18 months of the festival dates, and must not have had commercial distribution in Kenya before the festival. Also, world, national and regional premieres will be prioritised.
Unlike past editions, NBO Film Festival 2026 has introduced submission fees to support the sustainability and strength of the festival towards continually championing bold storytelling from Africa and beyond.
To complete submissions, films are required to complete an online submission form and provide a secure online screener (password-protected Vimeo link or similar), at least 3 high-resolution film stills, director’s biography and filmography, a director’s statement (maximum 500 words), a complete cast and crew list, a dialogue list with timecodes (for non-English language films), and payment of the submission fee (see fee structure below).
Since its inception in 2017, NBO Film Festival has championed narratives from Africa and the diaspora through cinema, industry engagements and cultural exchanges. In 2024, the organisers launched the NBO FilmFest Vanguard Award to recognise individual trailblazers who have improved the standards of film production and triggered industry growth through excellent contributions to the African film and television industry in areas of leadership and innovation.
Call for entries for the latest edition opened on 9th March 2026 and has three deadlines with non-refundable submission fees and a notification date as follows:
- Early Deadline: 31st March, 2026 – $10/ Shorts: $5
- Regular Deadline: 31st May, 2026- $20/ Shorts; $15
- Late Deadline: 15th July, 2026 – $25/ Shorts: $20
- Notification Date: 1st September, 2026
The final selection will be announced by October, 2026, with the festival set to take place from 15th to 25th of the same month.