MIFF 2027 Competition Categories
Eight core competition categories celebrate storytelling across form, place and purpose. Choose the category that fits your film, then submit on FilmFreeway.
Core competition categories
Best Feature Film
Narrative feature-length films demonstrating strong storytelling, direction, performance and cinematic execution.
Best Short Film
Short-form narrative filmmaking showcasing original and memorable storytelling.
Best Documentary
Feature and short documentaries exploring people, communities, environments, history, ideas and contemporary issues.
Best Student Film
Films produced by students or as part of recognised educational or training programmes.
Best Animation
Traditional, digital, stop-motion, experimental and hybrid animation.
Best African Film
Films from Africa and African storytellers representing African experiences, perspectives and imagination.
Best Mpumalanga Film
Films and filmmakers connected to Mpumalanga — its people, languages, landscapes, heritage, communities and contemporary experiences.
Best Wildlife, Environment & Conservation Film
Wildlife, biodiversity, conservation, climate, landscapes, indigenous knowledge and humanity’s relationship with nature.
Additional 2027 opportunities
Alongside the core categories, MIFF 2027 offers additional submission opportunities on FilmFreeway.
- Local Is Lekker — Nguni-language storytelling, including SiSwati and Ndebele
- Women Behind the Scenes
- Wild Film
- Best Student Short
- Best Producer
- Best Director
- Vertical Drama — mobile-first 9:16 storytelling
Each opportunity applies as listed on the live FilmFreeway page — always confirm there before entering.
New: Vertical Drama
A mobile-first, 9:16 serialized storytelling competition.