The Namibia Film Commission (NFC) is not only investing in local filmmakers through its latest funding cycle but is also taking Namibian cinema directly to communities across the country through its 2026 Film Premiere and Engagement Roadshow.
The Commission’s current funding call, the African Co-Production Funding Production Call 2026/2027, is aimed at supporting experienced Namibian filmmakers working on feature films, short films, documentaries and African co-production projects.
The programme forms part of the NFC’s broader mandate to strengthen the country’s film industry through project development, production support, skills development, audience growth and distribution opportunities.
While funding remains a critical pillar of the Commission’s work, the NFC has also turned its attention to ensuring that completed films reach audiences beyond the capital.
Through the 2026 Film Premiere and Engagement Roadshow, the Commission is embarking on a nationwide tour designed to connect regional audiences, filmmakers and creatives through Namibian storytelling.
The initiative showcases films produced under the 2024/2025 funding cycle while creating opportunities for regional filmmakers to engage with industry stakeholders and learn more about funding and support programmes available through the Commission.
The roadshow began in the southern regions of Namibia, with activations already completed in the Hardap and //Karas regions during June. The programme is currently making its way through the Oshana Region as it continues its national rollout.
According to the Commission, the initiative is about more than simply screening films.”It is about returning stories to the people,” the NFC said in announcing the roadshow.
The programme aims to increase visibility for local cinema while creating spaces for conversations around creativity, identity and representation. By taking locally produced films into communities, the Commission hopes to strengthen the relationship between filmmakers and audiences while highlighting the role of film in preserving culture, memory and shared experiences.
The roadshow also aligns with the Commission’s ongoing efforts to decentralise opportunities within the film industry. In recent years, the NFC has increasingly focused on supporting filmmakers outside the Khomas Region and expanding access to industry resources across the country.
For many regional creatives, the engagement sessions provide an opportunity to learn about funding mechanisms, network with fellow filmmakers and gain a better understanding of how to navigate the local film industry.
As the roadshow continues across Namibia, audiences can expect film screenings, community gatherings and discussions that place Namibian stories and voices at the centre of the experience.
The initiative comes at a time when the Commission is encouraging filmmakers to submit projects under its latest funding cycle, reinforcing a broader vision that supports both the creation of local content and the development of audiences who can engage with it.
Through funding, training and direct community engagement, the NFC appears to be pursuing a long-term goal of building a more inclusive and sustainable film industry—one where Namibian stories are not only produced but also seen, discussed and celebrated by the communities from which they emerge.
