Submit Application for the CANEX Shorts short film competition
Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an intervention by African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank) has announced the third edition of its vibrant short film competition, CANEX shorts short film competition, that is designed to recognise and celebrate talents of young filmmakers from Africa and the Diaspora.
Filmmakers between the ages of 18 and 35 years can enter the competition for a chance to win a cash prize of $2,000 for outstanding work in each of the competition’s three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation. To be eligible, they must be Africans living on the continent, in the diaspora or the Caribbean. Each filmmaker can only enter one film for which they must hold all rights. The entered films should have been produced in 2023 or after and can be in any language.
Besides the cash prize, CANEX Shorts winners will also get an opportunity to participate and have their films screened at CANEX at IATF2025, which will take place in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 – 10 September 2025. This will also provide them with a chance to connect with potential investors and partners in what has become the largest gathering of creatives on the continent.
To enter the competition, filmmakers are required to submit their films, not more than five minutes long, via the Film Freeway digital platform (https://filmfreeway.com/CANEXShorts). From all entries, the selection committee will curate a shortlist of 30 films – 10 films per category for submission to the jury that comprises, well-respected film experts from across the continent. The jury will then select a winning film in each of the categories during CANEX at IATF2025.
The 2024 CANEX shorts winners were unveiled at CANEX WKND 2024. The winning films were: Silent Screams by Esenaga Mbwe (Botswana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Fiction category; We Shall Not Forget by Brian Obra (Kenya) in the CANEX Shorts Best Documentary category; and Room-5 by Francis Y. Brown (Ghana) in the CANEX Shorts Best Animation category. According to the jury, the quality of films submitted during CANEX WKND 2024 was exceptionally high, necessitating award of two Special Mentions: Vodoun Nouminssin and Rain Is Not the Cloud’s Last Parade.
CANEX at IATF2025, where the winners will be unveiled, will provide a unique platform for nurturing business, investment opportunities, collaboration, partnerships and inspiration amongst the creatives fraternity across value chains of diverse creative and cultural industries from film, music, and fashion to culinary arts, sports, and visual arts amongst others. The event participants will include creatives, policymakers, financial institutions, business and political leaders, development partners, thought leaders as well as some of the most respected names in the Creative and Cultural Industries from across the continent and the diaspora.
Highlighting the importance of the competition, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank said: “Africa’s film industry, estimated at over $5 billion is thriving and brimming with untapped potential,” adding, “At Afreximbank, we are committed to unlocking this immense value by supporting platforms like CANEX Shorts that aim to propel African storytelling to the global stage. By investing in our creatives, we are not only creating jobs and economic opportunities; we’re actively ensuring Africa’s vibrant culture and talents gain global recognition.”
To enter the 2025 CANEX Shorts competition, please visit Filmfreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/CANEXShorts. To register to attend CANEX at IATF for free: canex.africa.
Awards & Prizes – CANEX shorts short film competition
CANEX Shorts will award 3 prizes based on the selection of a well known and respected jury.
Each winner will receive a cash prize of $2000 and have their film screened at CANEX at IATF2025 and be invited to the event. Flights and accommodation to be paid for.
Best Fiction
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Les cinéastes d’Afrique et de la diaspora sont invités à soumettre des films d’une durée maximale de 5 minutes via FilmFreeway pour avoir une chance de figurer parmi les trois lauréats :
• Meilleur court métrage fiction
• Meilleur documentaire
• Meilleur film d’animation
Pour poser votre candidature, visitez le site : https://filmfreeway.com/CANEXShorts
Rules & Terms – CANEX shorts short film competition
Eligibility:
The competition is open to Africans living on the continent and in the diaspora
Films must be no longer than 5 minutes in length.
The filmmaker must currently be between the ages of 18 – 35. The film must have been made in 2023 or after and at the time of making the film the filmmaker must have been between the ages of 18-35. Substantiation may be requested.
The filmmaker must own all rights – including music and must have supporting documentation
Films can be in any language but those not in English, must be subtitled in English
A digital link to the film must be provided in the submission
Only one film per filmmaker
Selected filmmakers will be required to sign a release / rights agreement
Entrants must have a bank account where they can receive international payments
Application -CANEX shorts short film competition
- To enter the 2025 CANEX Shorts competition, please visit Filmfreeway: https://filmfreeway.com/CANEXShorts.
- To register to attend CANEX at IATF for free: canex.africa.
- Deadline – June 30, 2025
