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BANO STUDIOS SHORT FILM FESTIVAL · 2027

SHORT
FILM
FESTIVAL.

A 3-day physical festival for African short film. Films by Africans, shot in Africa. Top 3 win cash prizes from a ₦30M pool plus category awards across cinematography, directing, acting, and storytelling. Inaugural edition: 2027.

NOTIFY ME WHEN OPEN ↓ PRIZE POOL ↓ ELIGIBILITY ↓
Bano Studios Short Film Festival
2027
INAUGURAL EDITION
03
DAYS · PHYSICAL
₦30M
CASH PRIZE POOL
04+
CATEGORY AWARDS
§ 01 · THE VISION

A FESTIVAL,
BY US
FOR US.

African short film deserves a stage that puts the work — not the marketing — first. Bano Studios is building that stage. Three days. Real screens. Real prize money. Real industry attention.

We are launching with one rule and one promise. The rule: African filmmakers, films shot in Africa. The promise: every selected film gets a paid screening slot, a critic in the room, and a fair shot at the prize pool — no politics, no fixers.

◉ DATES + VENUE LOCKED Q1 2027 · ABUJA OR ENUGU (TBC)
01 · VISION African cinema — vision
§ 02 · ELIGIBILITY & FORMAT

WHO CAN
SUBMIT.

Director is African (any country, any diaspora)
Film was shot in Africa (in whole or substantial part)
Short film: under 30 minutes total runtime
Completed within the last 24 months
English subtitles available (any language spoken)
You hold the screening rights
FORMAT

3-DAY PHYSICAL FESTIVAL
VENUE

ABUJA OR ENUGU · TBC
SUBMISSION FEE

TBA · ANNOUNCED Q1 2027
AUDIENCE TICKETS

TBA · ANNOUNCED Q1 2027

→ Submission portal opens Q1 2027. Join the notify list below to be the first to know.

02 · WHO African filmmakers
§ 03 · THE POOL

₦30M IN
PRIZES.

Three top films take home cash. Beyond the podium, category awards recognise outstanding craft across cinematography, directing, acting, and storytelling — each winner receives a plaque plus a token cash prize.

◉ 1ST PLACE
₦15M
BEST FILM
◉ 2ND PLACE
₦10M
RUNNER-UP
◉ 3RD PLACE
₦5M
THIRD PLACE
CATEGORY AWARDS

CRAFT GETS RECOGNISED.

/01 · CINEMATOGRAPHY
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
PLAQUE + TOKEN CASH
/02 · DIRECTING
BEST DIRECTOR
PLAQUE + TOKEN CASH
/03 · ACTING
BEST PERFORMANCE
PLAQUE + TOKEN CASH
/04 · WRITING
BEST SCREENPLAY
PLAQUE + TOKEN CASH

→ Additional craft awards (sound, editing, production design) may be added as the inaugural slate is finalised.

§ 04 · WHAT YOU'LL NEED

START
PREPPING.

The submission portal opens Q1 2027 — but here is everything you'll need ready when it does. Get it together now and you can submit on day one.

→ FILM TITLE + RUNTIME
→ YEAR + COUNTRY OF PRODUCTION
→ DIRECTOR + KEY CREW
→ LOGLINE + SYNOPSIS
→ SCREENER LINK (VIMEO / YOUTUBE)
→ 3 STILLS + POSTER (HI-RES)
→ DIRECTOR'S BIO + HEADSHOT
→ RIGHTS DECLARATION
◉ FINAL CHECKLIST PUBLISHED WITH PORTAL OPENING · Q1 2027
04 · SUBMIT Filmmakers preparing submission
§ 05 · STAY IN THE LOOP

JOIN THE
NOTIFY LIST.

Festival submissions are not yet open. Inaugural edition is in 2027 — join the notify list below to be the first to know.

Get on the list

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§ 06 · QUESTIONS

FAQ.

When does the festival happen?
The inaugural Bano Studios Short Film Festival takes place in 2027. The exact dates and venue (Abuja or Enugu) will be confirmed in Q1 2027 and announced to the notify list first.
Who can submit a film?
African filmmakers — directors who are African by nationality or heritage (including the diaspora) — whose films were shot in Africa, in whole or substantial part. Short films only: under 30 minutes total runtime, completed within the last 24 months.
How much is the submission fee?
The submission fee for the inaugural edition is to be announced in Q1 2027 alongside the official call-for-entries. Notify-list members will see the fee and the portal at the same time.
What language must my film be in?
Any language. We just need clean English subtitles available with the submission so judges and audience can engage with the work.
How does the prize money work?
First place wins ₦15M in cash. Second place wins ₦10M. Third place wins ₦5M. Category award winners (cinematography, directing, performance, screenplay) receive a plaque plus a token cash prize. All cash prizes are paid by direct bank transfer within 30 days of the festival closing ceremony.
Can I submit more than one film?
Yes — you can submit multiple different films, each as a separate entry with its own submission fee. The same film cannot be submitted twice.
Are there audience tickets? Can I attend without a film?
Yes. The festival is a public 3-day event. Ticket pricing and on-sale dates will be announced in Q1 2027. Filmmakers, press, and sponsors get reserved access through dedicated lanes.
I want to sponsor or partner. Who do I talk to?
Drop a note via the form above with role set to "Sponsor / Partner" — we'll route it directly to the festival team. You can also reach us at info@banostudios.africa.
◉ THE INAUGURAL EDITION

SHOOT IT.
SUBMIT IT.
SHOW IT.

We want your film on a real screen, in a real room, with a critic on the front row and the audience that gets it. Get on the notify list — be there from day one.

JOIN THE NOTIFY LIST → SEE ALL EVENTS → CONTACT THE FESTIVAL TEAM →