Afreximbank’s CANEX Shorts Returns for 2025, Spotlighting Young African Filmmakers Across the Globe

Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an initiative powered by the African Export–Import Bank (Afreximbank), has launched the third edition of its acclaimed short film competition, CANEX Shorts, aimed at discovering and elevating emerging filmmakers from Africa and the global Diaspora.

Open to creatives between the ages of 18 and 35, the competition offers a $2,000 cash prize in each of its three categories: Best Fiction, Best Documentary, and Best Animation. Eligible entrants must be of African descent, residing either on the continent, in the diaspora, or in the Caribbean. Submissions must be original works produced in 2023 or later, not exceeding five minutes in length, and filmmakers must hold full rights to the content. Only one entry per filmmaker is allowed, and films can be in any language.

Beyond prize money, winners will receive the opportunity to showcase their work during CANEX at IATF2025, set to take place from 4-10 September 2025 in Algiers, Algeria. The screening will offer invaluable exposure, networking with investors, and access to potential creative partners during what has become the continent’s largest creative industry gathering.

Entries are to be submitted via the Film Freeway platform: https://FilmFreeway.com/CANEXShorts. From the submissions, 30 films -10 per category - will be shortlisted by a selection committee. These will then be evaluated by a jury of distinguished African film professionals, who will determine the final winners at CANEX in Algiers.

The 2024 edition, held during CANEX WKND, highlighted exceptional emerging talent. Winners included Silent Screams by Esenaga Mbwe (Botswana) for Best Fiction, We Shall Not Forget by Brian Obra (Kenya) for Best Documentary, and Room-5 by Francis Y. Brown (Ghana) for Best Animation. Two Special Mentions were also awarded to Vodoun Nouminssin and Rain Is Not the Cloud's Last Parade, due to the exceptional quality of entries.

CANEX at IATF2025 promises more than just film screenings. The event will convene creatives, policymakers, financiers, business leaders, and cultural icons from across the world, fostering investment, collaboration, and growth across the creative value chain, from fashion and film to sports and visual arts.

Highlighting the competition’s significance, Mrs. Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade and Export Development at Afreximbank, said:

“Africa’s film industry, estimated at over $5 billion, is thriving and brimming with untapped potential,” adding, “At Afreximbank, we are committed to unlocking this immense value by supporting platforms like CANEX Shorts that aim to propel African storytelling to the global stage. By investing in our creatives, we are not only creating jobs and economic opportunities; we’re actively ensuring Africa’s vibrant culture and talents gain global recognition.”

For full details or to submit your entry, visit: https://FilmFreeway.com/CANEXShorts