South African filmmakers are invited to submit their work to the global Alternativa Film Festival (AFF), which will host its fourth edition on the African continent in the last quarter of 2027, marking the festival’s first visit to Africa.
Founded by Arsen Tomsky, CEO and founder of inDrive, the nomadic festival is a celebration of impact-driven cinema from the Global South, helping filmmakers reach new audiences, gain international exposure and build industry connections.
inDrive has supported Alternativa since its first festival in 2023 in Almaty, Kazakhstan. Since then, the festival has been hosted in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, followed by Medellín, Colombia. The 2027 edition will bring the festival to Africa for the first time.
Ashif Black, Country Representative at inDrive South Africa is enthusiastic about the festival’s arrival on African shores, “At inDrive, we are proud that Africa will host the festival next year. Currently, inDrive operates in at least 14 countries across the African continent, offering intercity rides between major cities. As a people-first platform that gives riders and drivers greater choice, fairer outcomes, and more opportunities, we are excited to see this festival come to the African continent, a market that is very important to us as a business.”
“We are also excited to see how film submissions will provide a platform for the diverse voices and stories of African filmmakers to drive social change. We encourage South African filmmakers to seize this opportunity to share their perspectives, reach new audiences, and connect with the global film community,” he adds.
The festival’s total prize money of US$120,000 (approximately R2 million) will be distributed across seven different awards. The host African country, city and exact festival dates will be announced by the end of February 2027.
Opportunities beyond the festival
Films selected for the 2027 edition may also have the opportunity to join Alternativa Distribution, a non-profit label launched in 2026 to bring impactful cinema from the Global South to audiences around the world. Its growing catalogue already includes six films from previous festival editions. Inclusion could extend films’ reach and impact beyond the festival, helping distinctive stories find audiences across borders.
AFF 2027 Programme
Directors whose films are selected for the Competition will be invited to the festival and awards ceremony, with travel and accommodation covered by the organisers. The programme will include accessible public screenings, discussions and events exploring the social issues raised by the films.
Free Industry Days will connect filmmakers, producers, industry experts and social impact leaders through knowledge exchange and networking.
South African filmmakers can submit their films free of charge via FilmFreeway, subject to the festival’s Rules & Regulations. Submission entries are now open and will close on 1 March 2027.
