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This article was produced with the support of Afreximbank
The competition, held as part of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) in Algiers, is organised by the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX), an Afreximbank-led platform designed to elevate Africa’s creative economy.
The annual contest, open to filmmakers aged 18 to 35 from Africa, the diaspora, and the Caribbean, received over 700 entries across three categories: fiction, animation, and documentary. Each winning film received a cash prize of US$2,000 and was screened during the award ceremony at CANEX.
Winners
- Fiction: Zogbeto by Togolese filmmaker Matthieu Abal explores ancestral beliefs and cultural heritage.
- Animation: Olivia by Algerian filmmaker Shawki Boukef portrays resilience in the face of adversity.
- Documentary: Young Hearts by Egyptian filmmaker Marwa El Sharkway highlights the global plight of children.
In addition to the winners, the jury gave special mentions to three stand-out films:
- Misfit by Kenya’s Karanja Ng’endo (Fiction) – a poignant look at the experiences of people living with albinism.
- Heart of Gold by Benin’s Destin Junior Gnonlonfou (Animation) – focusing on the lives of children and women.
- Where the Dust Still Smiles by Uganda’s Kristian Kisaa (Documentary) – a reflective piece on resilience and memory.
The jury, made up of respected film experts from across the continent, praised the entries for their emotional depth, storytelling craft, and authenticity. “Short films are a powerful medium for emerging filmmakers to hone their skills and share impactful narratives,” the panel noted.
The importance of CANEX shorts
Stephen Tio Kauma, Managing Director of Human Resources at Afreximbank, emphasized the strategic importance of CANEX Shorts: “CANEX Shorts is more than a celebration of the power of storytelling. It is a platform for spotlighting Africa’s vibrant filmmaking industry. In the true spirit of CANEX, it aims to unlock and expand opportunities for African creatives, while elevating their talent onto the world stage.”
The competition called for submissions of short films (up to five minutes) produced in 2023 or later, in any language. It forms part of CANEX’s broader mission to foster business, investment, and collaboration across Africa’s creative sectors; from film and fashion to music, culinary arts, and visual design.
IATF2025: A Record-Breaking Showcase
The fourth edition of the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) was a resounding success, drawing over 112,000 participants and generating more than US$48 billion in trade deals. With over 2,100 exhibitors and 20 Heads of State in attendance, the event underscored the growing importance of intra-African trade and creative industries in driving economic growth.
Co-convened by Afreximbank, the African Union Commission, and the AfCFTA Secretariat, IATF2025 aims to harness the potential of Africa’s single market of 1.4 billion people and a combined GDP of over US$3.5 trillion.
