The Namibia Film Commission has successfully concluded Film Week 2026, took place between 12 and 15 March 2026, marking four days of strong growth, learning, and audience engagement in Windhoek.
The event was hosted in partnership with Namibia University of Science and Technology, the Film Association of Namibia, and One Africa Television. It focused on developing Namibia’s film sector through skills training, collaboration, and showcasing local content.Over the four days, Film Week featured screenings, panel discussions, and masterclasses that explored key topics in the industry. These included writing and packaging stories, content creation, sustainability, and collaboration across the film value chain.
Young people were also part of the programme through sessions like LearnOnOne and the Mosaic Film Experience, while Edu-Game Namibia introduced interactive ways to combine storytelling and technology.
Two workshops stood out during the week—Production Budgeting and Taxation, and Film Marketing and Distribution. These gave filmmakers practical tools to better understand and manage the business side of filmmaking in a competitive environment.
The event attracted strong participation, with more than 345 people taking part in the industry programme and over 860 attending film screenings. This reflects growing public interest in Namibian film and storytelling.
A major highlight of the week was the premiere of four short films commissioned by the Namibia Film Commission: Emanya, The B2 Passage, Journey of the Past, and The Good Shepherd. These films drew the biggest audiences, showing the strong connection between local stories and viewers.
Speaking at the closing, Florence Haifene said the event showed real progress in the industry.“What we have witnessed is more than a successful event,” she said. “It is evidence of a growing ecosystem in which filmmakers, audiences, institutions, partners, and policymakers are aligned in the belief that film matters culturally, socially, and economically.”
She added that Film Week is helping to build a stronger and more connected film industry in Namibia.
The success of Film Week 2026 comes at an important time, as the industry now looks ahead to the return of the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards 2026.
The awards are set to take place on 28 March 2026 at the National Theatre of Namibia. This will be the first edition in six years, marking a major comeback after a long break.
The awards will celebrate excellence in film and theatre, including categories for films, documentaries, web series, acting, directing, and technical work. New categories such as Best Newcomer Director and Best Web Series have also been introduced, showing the growth of the industry.
Together, Film Week and the upcoming awards highlight the progress being made in Namibia’s film sector—from building skills and creating content to recognising and rewarding local talent.
The Namibia Film Commission says it remains committed to supporting the industry through training, partnerships, and opportunities that will continue to grow Namibian film.
