CANEX Shorts Competition 2025 for Young Filmmakers in Africa

Deadline: June 30, 2025

Applications are open for the CANEX Shorts 2025. Afreximbank, through its Creative Africa Nexus programme (CANEX) is excited to announce the 3rd edition of CANEX Shorts. This short film competition for young filmmakers in Africa and the Diaspora. CANEX Shorts has been established in order to further engage with the film community ahead of CANEX at IATF2025.

CANEX at IATF2025 and will once again host an engaging and exciting programme of creative industry conversations, masterclasses, deal rooms, market and exhibition and more. CANEX Shorts is a short film competition that will culminate in screenings and an award ceremony at CANEX at IATF2025 taking place in Algiers, Algeria from 4 – 10 September 2025.

Prizes

Three outstanding filmmakers will each receive:

• $2,000 Cash Prize for:
  • Best Fiction
  • Best Documentary
  • Best Animation
• Screening of their film at CANEX at IATF2025 in Algiers, Algeria
• Invitation to attend CANEX at IATF2025 (flights and accommodation provided)
• Networking opportunities with investors, partners, and the continent’s leading creative minds
• Global recognition and a chance to connect with the largest gathering of creatives in Africa

Eligibility

• 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

Click here to apply

For more information, visit CANEX Shorts.