2027 OFFICIAL COMPETITION CATEGORIES

MIFF welcomes established filmmakers, independent producers, emerging
filmmakers, students and new voices from South Africa, Africa and
around the world.

Films may be submitted for consideration in the following categories:

1. BEST FEATURE FILM

Narrative feature-length films demonstrating outstanding storytelling, direction, performance and cinematic execution.

2. BEST SHORT FILM

Short-form narrative filmmaking showcasing powerful, original and memorable storytelling.

3. BEST DOCUMENTARY

Feature and short documentaries exploring real people, communities, environments, histories, ideas and contemporary issues.

4. BEST STUDENT FILM

Films created by students currently studying or produced as part of a recognized educational or training programme.

5. BEST ANIMATION

Animated storytelling across traditional, digital, stop-motion, experimental and hybrid forms.

6. BEST AFRICAN FILM

A celebration of filmmaking from across the African continent and
African storytellers presenting stories rooted in African experiences,
perspectives and imagination.

7. BEST MPUMALANGA FILM

Dedicated to films and filmmakers connected to Mpumalanga and stories
that reflect the province's people, communities, landscapes, languages,
heritage, contemporary experiences and creative talent.

8. BEST WILDLIFE, ENVIRONMENT & CONSERVATION FILM

Films exploring wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, climate,
landscapes, indigenous knowledge and humanity's relationship with the
natural world.

MIFF reserves the right to consider eligible films for additional
special mentions, jury recognition or programme strands where
appropriate.

NEW: MPPLUS PREMIERE & STREAMING OPTIONS

The 2027 Call introduces an additional opportunity beyond the competition categories.

When submitting, filmmakers may indicate:

□ MIFF Festival Consideration Only

or

□ MIFF Festival + MPPLUS Streaming Consideration

or

□ MPPLUS Streaming Consideration

Films considered for MPPLUS may be evaluated according to audience
potential, quality, originality, rights availability, technical
suitability and alignment with the platform's programming strategy.

Possible MPPLUS opportunities may include:

MPPLUS PREMIERE

Selected films receiving a dedicated digital premiere opportunity on MPPLUS.

FROM MIFF TO MPPLUS

Selected festival titles continuing their audience journey on the platform after MIFF.

MPPLUS DISCOVERY

A space for independent, emerging and underrepresented filmmakers whose work deserves continued discovery.

MPPLUS ORIGINAL / FUTURE DEVELOPMENT CONSIDERATION

Exceptional filmmakers may also be identified for future
conversations around development or commissioning opportunities. Any
such opportunity would be discussed separately and is not guaranteed by
festival selection.

IMPORTANT: FILMMAKERS RETAIN THEIR RIGHTS

MIFF believes filmmakers should understand exactly how their work will be used.

Submitting to MIFF does not mean surrendering ownership of your film.

Festival selection gives MIFF permission to exhibit the selected work
as part of the agreed festival programme and associated festival
promotion, subject to the festival's submission terms.

MPPLUS streaming is separate.

Where a filmmaker indicates interest in MPPLUS, this only authorizes
MIFF/MPPLUS to consider and contact the rights holder regarding a
potential streaming opportunity.

No selected film will be commercially streamed on MPPLUS solely because the filmmaker entered MIFF.

Streaming terms, territory, duration, exclusivity or non-exclusivity,
revenue arrangements where applicable, availability period and other
rights will be addressed through a separate agreement before the film is
made available.

WHO CAN SUBMIT?

MIFF welcomes submissions from:

South African filmmakers;

filmmakers from across Africa;

international filmmakers;

independent producers;

first-time filmmakers;

established directors and producers;

film students;

youth filmmakers;

women filmmakers;

filmmakers with disabilities;

community-based filmmakers;

documentary filmmakers;

animation creators;

wildlife and conservation storytellers;

and filmmakers working in indigenous and underrepresented languages.

We strongly encourage stories that bring new perspectives to the screen.

LANGUAGE

Films in all languages are welcome.

Films containing dialogue that is not primarily in English should provide English subtitles.

MIFF particularly welcomes African and indigenous-language cinema.

Language should never be a barrier to a powerful story reaching an audience.

WHAT MIFF IS LOOKING FOR

We are looking for films that make audiences feel, think, question, laugh, remember, discover and connect.

Our programmers will consider:

Originality of the story and perspective; strength of direction;
storytelling; performances; cinematography; editing; sound; cultural
relevance; audience engagement; technical presentation; and the overall
impact of the work.

For MPPLUS consideration, additional attention may be given to
audience potential, replay and discovery value, rights availability,
technical delivery and suitability for digital distribution.

MIFF IS MORE THAN A SCREENING

Selected filmmakers may have opportunities to participate in festival activities including:

cinema screenings;

filmmaker Q&As;

industry discussions;

networking;

masterclasses;

workshops;

audience engagements;

community programmes;

tourism and destination experiences;

wildlife and conservation programmes;

awards and recognition;

filmmaker development initiatives;

and MPPLUS streaming consideration.

Participation in individual activities will depend on the final 2027 programme and availability.

THE AUDIENCE DOES NOT DISAPPEAR WHEN THE FESTIVAL ENDS.

MIFF believes that the future of festivals requires us to rethink the relationship between discovery and distribution.

Festivals are extraordinary places for discovery.

Streaming can extend that discovery.

Our 2027 strategy brings these worlds closer together.

A film discovered in Mpumalanga should have the possibility of being
discovered again in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, another African
country — and potentially by audiences far beyond the continent.

That is the thinking behind MPPLUS.

One submission can begin a much longer journey.

IMPORTANT DATES

10 AUGUST 2026

MIFF 2027 CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS OPENS

The journey begins.

31 JANUARY 2027

FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE

All films intended for MIFF 2027 consideration must be submitted by
the closing date, unless MIFF officially announces an extension.

2027

OFFICIAL SELECTION & NOMINATION ANNOUNCEMENTS

Successful filmmakers will receive further communication regarding
selection status, screening requirements and festival participation.

MIFF 2027

MPUMALANGA, SOUTH AFRICA

Official festival dates, venues and programme information will be communicated through MIFF's official platforms.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Filmmakers should prepare the following information/materials where applicable:

Film title

Director

Producer

Country of production

Year of completion

Running time

Genre/category

Film synopsis

Director biography

Director photograph

Film poster

Film stills

Trailer, where available

Secure screening link/file

English subtitles where required

Production credits

Contact details for the submitting representative

Confirmation that the entrant has authority to submit the film

MPPLUS interest selection

Rights-holder/contact information where MPPLUS consideration is selected

Selected filmmakers may subsequently be requested to provide
higher-quality exhibition materials and additional publicity assets.

RIGHTS & ELIGIBILITY

The person submitting a film must have the legal authority to submit
the work and grant the necessary festival exhibition permissions.

Entrants are responsible for securing all necessary rights associated
with their films, including music, performances, archive material,
footage, photographs and other copyrighted material.

Submitting a film does not guarantee selection.

Festival selection does not guarantee an award.

Selecting MPPLUS consideration does not guarantee acquisition, licensing or streaming.

MIFF reserves the right to determine the most appropriate festival category or programme placement for an eligible submission.

Further detailed submission rules and conditions will accompany the official submission portal.

A SPECIAL INVITATION TO SOUTH AFRICAN FILMMAKERS

MIFF 2027 wants South African filmmakers to think beyond making a film simply to complete a project.

Who is going to watch it?

Where will they discover it?

What happens after the premiere?

What happens after the festival circuit?

How can the film continue building an audience?

These questions are central to our 2027 edition.

South Africa has extraordinary stories.

Our challenge is not only to make them.

Our challenge is to ensure that audiences can find them, watch them and continue talking about them.

A CALL TO AFRICA

To filmmakers across the continent:

Bring us your Africa.

Not the Africa somebody else expects you to show.

Bring us your communities.

Your cities.

Your villages.

Your languages.

Your humour.

Your history.

Your imagination.

Your environment.

Your conflicts.

Your love stories.

Your uncomfortable stories.

Your future.

Your Africa.

MIFF wants to become a meeting place where African stories can connect with African audiences and the world.

A CALL TO THE WORLD

International filmmakers are invited to bring their stories to
Mpumalanga and experience a festival shaped by African audiences,
landscapes, culture and creative exchange.

MIFF welcomes cinema that builds conversations across borders.

WHY SUBMIT EARLY?

The MIFF 2027 Call runs from:

10 AUGUST 2026 – 31 JANUARY 2027

Filmmakers are encouraged not to wait until the final deadline.

Submitting early gives our programming team sufficient time to
carefully experience and evaluate the work as we build what we intend to
make our strongest festival programme yet.

MIFF 2027

BEYOND THE SCREEN

YOUR STORY DESERVES AN AFTERLIFE.

Make the film.

Bring it to the festival.

Meet the audience.

Start the conversation.

And when the festival lights go down —

LET THE STORY KEEP PLAYING.

MPUMALANGA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2027

SUBMISSIONS OPEN: 10 AUGUST 2026

SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: 31 JANUARY 2027

FESTIVAL • AUDIENCE • INDUSTRY • MPPLUS

Mpumalanga, South Africa

MIFF – Stories That Belong. Voices That Matter. Beyond the Screen.

Awards & Prizes

🏆 MIFFSA 2027 – PRIZES & AWARDS

YOUR FILM DESERVES MORE THAN A TROPHY.

MIFFSA 2027 is bringing filmmakers real opportunities beyond the festival screen.

💰 US$3,500 CASH PRIZE POOL

Five major winning categories will each receive US$700.

But winning at MIFFSA goes beyond cash.

Selected winners may also receive:

🏆 Official MIFFSA 2027 Award & Recognition

🎬 MPPLUS Licensing Opportunities for selected films

📺 Streaming & Digital Distribution Deals on MPPLUS

💼 Future MPPLUS Original & Development Consideration

🦁 Two-Night Skukuza Experience for selected winner(s)

🚐 Two Return Travel Experiences with Lime Time Shuttle into and out of Mpumalanga

🎟️ Festival Screenings & Audience Exposure

🤝 Industry Networking & Filmmaker Opportunities

THE FESTIVAL ENDS. YOUR FILM'S JOURNEY SHOULDN'T.

At MIFFSA, we don't only want to award great films — we want to create an afterlife for them.

MIFFSA 2027 | BEYOND THE SCREEN

Your Story Deserves an Afterlife.

Submit. Get Discovered. Get Awarded. Keep Streaming.

Rules & Terms

MIFFSA 2027 – SUBMISSION CONDITIONS & MPPLUS OPPORTUNITY

By submitting a film to the Mpumalanga International Film Festival
South Africa (MIFFSA), the submitting filmmaker, producer or rights
holder confirms that they have the legal authority to submit the work
and accept the festival conditions.

1. FILMMAKER OWNERSHIP

Filmmakers retain ownership and copyright of their films.

Submission to MIFFSA does not transfer ownership, copyright or permanent distribution rights to MIFFSA or MPPLUS.

The person submitting the film must have authority to grant MIFFSA permission to screen the work during the festival.

2. FESTIVAL SCREENING RIGHTS

If officially selected, the filmmaker grants MIFFSA a limited,
non-exclusive right to screen the film as part of MIFFSA 2027 and
approved festival-related activities.

MIFFSA may use the film title, poster, trailer, approved stills,
synopsis, filmmaker information and short promotional extracts for
festival marketing, publicity, press and programme promotion.

3. INTRODUCING MPPLUS

MIFFSA 2027 aims to give films an opportunity to continue reaching audiences after their festival screenings.

For this reason, filmmakers will have the option to indicate whether
they would like their film to be considered for MPPLUS, a digital
streaming platform connected to MIFFSA's wider audience-development
strategy.

MPPLUS is intended to create an additional pathway for selected films to reach audiences beyond the physical festival.

4. MPPLUS IS OPTIONAL

Submitting to MIFFSA does not automatically place a film on MPPLUS.

Filmmakers will be asked to select:

A. MIFFSA Festival Consideration Only

or

B. MIFFSA + MPPLUS Consideration

Selecting MPPLUS consideration means the filmmaker gives MIFFSA
permission to evaluate the film for a possible streaming opportunity.

It does not automatically grant MPPLUS streaming rights.

5. SEPARATE MPPLUS AGREEMENT

Where MPPLUS wishes to acquire a selected film, the filmmaker or
authorised rights holder will receive a separate agreement before the
film is published on the platform.

That agreement may address:

licence period;

territories;

exclusive or non-exclusive rights;

availability period;

revenue or payment structure;

advertising or subscription exploitation;

promotional rights;

permitted platforms and devices;

reporting arrangements where applicable;

renewal;

termination; and

removal of the film.

No commercial streaming rights are granted merely by entering MIFFSA.

6. HOW FILMMAKERS MAY BENEFIT

MPPLUS is designed to help address one of the challenges filmmakers
face after completing the festival circuit: what happens to the film
after the screenings end?

Depending on the final licensing agreement, selected filmmakers may benefit through:

Extended Audience Reach – films can remain discoverable beyond the physical festival.

Digital Distribution – selected projects may receive an additional streaming pathway.

Revenue Opportunities – qualifying MPPLUS agreements may provide
filmmakers with an agreed licensing, revenue-sharing or other commercial
model.

Audience Data & Performance Insights – where available and
permitted, filmmakers may receive useful information about how audiences
are engaging with their work.

Promotion – selected films may be promoted through MIFFSA and MPPLUS campaigns.

Industry Discovery – the platform may provide an additional space for
producers, filmmakers and creative talent to be discovered.

Future Opportunities – strong-performing filmmakers may be considered
for future development, commissioning, acquisition or MPPLUS Original
opportunities. Such opportunities are not guaranteed.

7. FESTIVAL-TO-STREAMING WINDOW

MIFFSA may give selected filmmakers the opportunity to move from:

Festival Selection → Festival Premiere/Screening → Audience Engagement → MPPLUS Consideration → Digital Release

This allows the festival screening to become the beginning of a longer audience journey rather than the end of the film's life.

8. PREMIERE STATUS

Filmmakers are responsible for informing MIFFSA of any existing agreements or premiere restrictions affecting their films.

MIFFSA will not knowingly interfere with existing distribution,
broadcaster, streaming, sales-agent or festival agreements disclosed by
the filmmaker.

Filmmakers considering MPPLUS must ensure that they control or have permission to license the relevant digital/streaming rights.

9. RIGHTS CLEARANCE

The filmmaker confirms that all necessary rights have been cleared, including where applicable:

music;

performances;

scripts;

archive footage;

photographs;

trademarks;

third-party footage;

underlying works; and

other copyrighted material.

The filmmaker remains responsible for the accuracy of this declaration.

10. MPPLUS SELECTION IS NOT GUARANTEED

Official selection at MIFFSA does not guarantee selection for MPPLUS.

Likewise, indicating interest in MPPLUS does not guarantee acquisition or streaming.

MPPLUS may consider factors including:

storytelling quality, production quality, audience potential, genre,
technical quality, rights availability, language, duration, platform
suitability and programming requirements.

11. VERTICAL DRAMA & MPPLUS

MIFFSA's new Vertical Drama category is particularly suited to mobile and digital audiences.

Selected Vertical Drama projects may therefore be considered for dedicated MPPLUS vertical programming.

However, Vertical Drama filmmakers retain the same rights protections
and must separately agree to MPPLUS streaming terms before their work
can be commercially distributed through the platform.

12. PROMOTIONAL USE

Selected filmmakers permit MIFFSA to use approved promotional
materials supplied with their submission to promote the festival and
their participation.

MIFFSA may identify a film as:

Official Selection – MIFFSA 2027

Nominee – MIFFSA 2027

Winner – MIFFSA 2027

or other applicable official designation.

Where separately licensed for MPPLUS, appropriate MPPLUS branding may also be used.

13. TECHNICAL DELIVERY

Officially selected filmmakers may be required to provide appropriate
exhibition materials, including high-resolution masters, subtitles,
captions, posters, trailers, stills, metadata and other reasonable
delivery materials.

MPPLUS-selected films may have additional technical delivery requirements communicated separately.

14. WITHDRAWAL

Once a film has been officially selected and publicly announced by
MIFFSA, withdrawal should only occur under exceptional circumstances.

Any MPPLUS withdrawal, termination or removal rights will be governed by the separate MPPLUS agreement.

15. NO GUARANTEE OF COMMERCIAL SUCCESS

MIFFSA and MPPLUS cannot guarantee audience numbers, sales, revenue,
distribution deals, awards, investment or future employment resulting
from participation.

The purpose of the programme is to create additional opportunities
for discovery, exhibition, audience development and potential
distribution.

16. MIFFSA'S 2027 COMMITMENT

MIFFSA believes that festivals must become more than temporary exhibition spaces.

Our objective is to build an ecosystem connecting:

FILMMAKERS → FESTIVAL → AUDIENCES → INDUSTRY → MPPLUS → OPPORTUNITY

MIFFSA wants filmmakers to leave the festival with more than a screening.

We want filmmakers to have an opportunity to build audiences, create
visibility and explore pathways that can extend the commercial and
cultural life of their work.

MIFFSA 2027

BEYOND THE SCREEN – YOUR STORY DESERVES AN AFTERLIFE.