Cape Town’s film scene is booming, and every year, the city offers a host of film festivals that appeal to every taste and genre. Cape Town’s film festivals bring together storytellers worldwide, from independent gems to big international hits. With thought-provoking documentaries, African cinema and student film competitions, you’re in for a great time. Here’s a guide to the best film festivals in Cape Town and why you should add them to your calendar.
Table of Contents
The list below is in no particular order. Each entry is equally celebrated for their achievements, and the sequence of names is arbitrary, not indicating any ranking or preference.
Encounters Film Festival 👁️
Encounters is a premier International Documentary Festival celebrating its 27th year of operation. The festival takes place at various Cape Town venues over 10 days, showcasing the best and newest documentaries to get your fill. It features award-winning and critically acclaimed works as well as the most discussed documentaries of the year. This allows space for newer filmmakers to gain media exposure and financial opportunities.
The festival presents an opportunity to support curious minds passionate about research concerning a range of topics, from politics to nature. Encounters Film Festival aims to transform, inform, support and engage with displaying possibly underrated topics whilst broadening the audience’s horizons. Encounters are still taking in project submissions, and they will release the list before the festival, so keep an eye out for their socials.
Cost: TBC
Date: 19 to 29 June, 2025
Address: Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town / Ster-Kinekor, V&A Waterfront, Dock Rd, Cape Town
Website: https://encounters.co.za/
Contact Number: 074 739 1066
Cape Town International Animation Festival 🖍️
Cape Town’s International Animation Festival (CTIAF) is the largest dedicated African animation festival on the continent. Over three days, the festival spotlights talented African animators and filmmakers through workshops, screenings, and engaging panel discussions. Attendees can look forward to screenings of local and international animated works, especially with the recent collaboration of CTIAF and Comic Con.
So, if you’re interested in anime, you are promised a fulfilling experience. However, the CTIAF’s impact on platforming and uplifting African artists remains the focus and fun. The festival showcases current artists and uplifts those interested in animation or animated filmmaking with exhibits of the latest animation technologies and prolific international speakers in the industry.
Cost: TBC
Address: TBC
Date: 1 to 4 May, 2025
Website: https://ctiaf.com/
48Hour ⏰
The 48 Hour Film Project occurs worldwide, and Cape Town’s event is a marvel. On a Friday, participants are given a genre or prompt to guide the making of a short film with only 48 hours to write, shoot and edit. The short films are screened on the proceeding Sunday for all to see. 48 Hour showcases the intricacies and hard work put into film with an excellent payoff for independent filmmakers and even students!
All films get a local screening and are eligible for prizes. The winner of Best Film receives a screening at the Filmapalooza Film Festival as well as gains a chance to premier at the Cannes Film Festival. Whilst the nights are sleepless for the filmmakers, audiences can show their support and indulge in their love for cinema all in one night.
Cost: TBC
Address: TBC
Date: TBC
Website: https://www.48hourfilm.com/capetown
Cape Town Adventure Film Festival 🤿
The Cape Town Adventure Film Festival is a unique annual event celebrating Cape Town’s spirit of adventure. It showcases a curated selection of local and international films in the adventure, outdoor, and environmental documentary genres. The festival encourages a passion for the wild and celebrates its preservation.
CTAFF’s 2024 event featured over 30 films and a great lineup of guest speakers. Cape Town is known for its beautiful natural scenery, which includes hiking, surfing, scuba diving, and more. The Adventure Film Festival hopes to showcase the appeal of adventurous activities and raise awareness of preserving the city’s beauty. The festival occurs at various Cape Town venues, such as the Labia Theatre, Jack Black’s Taproom, and the ORMS School of Photography.
Cost: TBC
Date: TBC
Website: https://www.capetownadventurefilm.com/
The Galileo Open-Air Cinema 🎥
The Galileo Open Air Cinema is one of Cape Town’s best summer events. Although not strictly a film festival, the cinema offers the opportunity to picnic and peek at the best old-school and new movies. You can watch family favourites, cult classics, and musicals amid the lively green lawns and night sky vibe. The cinema also offers a pre-movie picnic ticket with delicious street food, from burgers and pizza to your favourite movie snacks!
Vendors like Sugar & Pop, Lion Coffee, Butler’s Pizza, and more surround the venue. You can also rent backrests and picnic blankets or bring your own! The Galileo Open-Air Cinema has a season lineup, so be sure to check its website for what’s on. The romantic and lively setting is unmatched, providing the perfect vibe for a cosy night out.
Cost: R145 to R800
Date: Ends on 17 May
Website: https://thegalileo.co.za/
Contact Number: 071 471 8728
Horrorfest 👻
October is the spookiest time of the year, and Cape Town’s Labia Theatre emphasises it with South Africa’s Horrorfest. If you’re into horror and thriller genres, then you will love this event as it encompasses all the scares and fun of Halloween. October brings many horror film releases, and Horrorfest SA is the best spot to catch the premiers of the latest and greatest horror movies to date. Horrorfest has everything from Rocky Horror Picture Show and Texas Chainsaw Massacre to brand new A24 releases.
2025 will see the 21st annual edition of Cape Town’s Horrorfest, which includes a film festival and other horror-related exhibitions. The event is full of fun activities, from Halloween dress-up competitions to author readings and live movie soundtrack performances. The festival is an appreciation for horror as a genre in all media, not just film, so you can take part in dramatic readings of the best horror novels or submit your own short stories!
Cost: TBC
Date: October 2025
Address: Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town
Website: https://www.horrorfest.info/
FAME Shorts Film Festival 🐧
The FAME Short Film Festival showcases the brilliance of African Cinema through screenings of the best short films. There are a variety of events for filmmakers to participate in, and audiences can treat themselves to their creations. FAME showcases short films with themes like cultural heritage, historical events, modern life and other socio-political issues. These highlight the diversity and intricacies of African storytellers and filmmakers.
Participants can take part in the competition to win the FAME Film Festival Awards for best animation, narrative, documentary and LGBTQIA+ representation. The festival is held in Caoe Town’s Labia Theatre, where snacks and drinks are sold at the theatre’s bar and kiosks. There are also opportunities to talk to filmmakers and learn about the industry and creative direction.
Cost: TBC
Date: TBC
Address: Labia Theatre, 68 Orange St, Gardens, Cape Town
Website: https://fameshortsfilmfestival.com/
Contact Number: 010 496 3500
Russian Film Festival 🗺️
The Cape Town Russian Film Festival brings the best of Russian and international cinema to South African shores. The festival kicks off with a glamorous opening ceremony at the Radisson Blu Hotel, a red-carpet moment, and exclusive film previews. The festival hopes to celebrate the unique cinematic contributions of BRICS countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and create intercultural dialogue between film industries.
The event brings together industry professionals, passionate film lovers and inspiring filmmakers to showcase the best films out there. Some film categories include experimental, animation, arthouse, fashion and short films. Screenings will take place at various cinemas in Cape Town. The event will finish off with a prestigious award ceremony honouring all filmmakers who participated in the event.
Cost: R360
Date: 7 to 15 March 2025
Address: Raddison Blu Hotel, Waterfront, Cape Town & Cine Centre, Grand West, Cape Town
Website: https://russianfilmfestivalsa.com/
Contact Number: 069 433 3678
Cape Town’s film festivals are the best place to enjoy fan favourites and brand-new movies. With the great atmosphere, you can indulge in your cinephile interest as well as take part in a thriving community. Whatever your niche is, these film festivals and Cape Town theatres will delight you. Grab a ticket, and don’t forget your popcorn!
