Kitale Film Week 2026 Unveils Official Programme, Sets Stage for Industry-Focused African Cinema.
Kitale, Kenya | December 6, 2025 — The fourth edition of Kitale Film Week has officially announced its 2026 programme, scheduled to run from February 22 to March 1, 2026. The festival promises a compelling blend of award-winning features, socially urgent documentaries, and an expanded industry platform designed to strengthen Africa’s film and television ecosystem.
A Week of Unmissable Screenings
The festival opens with a celebratory Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, February 25, featuring the high-energy comedy-heist Inside Job, directed by David ‘Tosh’ Gitonga and starring Mammito Eunice and Jacky Vike. The film sets the tone for a week that balances entertainment with cultural relevance.
Among the A-List Features are international festival standouts, including Dahomey by Mati Diop, the Afro-Noir thriller Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions by Dani Kouyaté, and Ghana’s UNESCO Fellini Medal winner The Fisherman.
Honouring Kenyan Trailblazers
Kitale Film Week 2026 places strong emphasis on legacy and remembrance. The programme opens on Sunday, February 22, with a tribute to the late Ann Mungai, featuring her groundbreaking 1992 film Saikati. Ann Mungai passed away in November 2025.
The festival closes on Sunday, March 1, with a heartfelt tribute to the late Charles Bukeko (Papa Shirandula), spotlighting his performance in Malooned!, directed by Bob Nyanja.
Socially Conscious Cinema
The 2026 line-up also foregrounds films engaging directly with social realities. Highlights include Sarah by Nick Reding and Wanuri Kahiu, which addresses FGM and early marriage in Kenya’s Loita Hills, and The People Shall by Nick Wambugu, capturing contemporary youth-led activism.
Industry, Education and Youth Development
A defining feature of Kitale Film Week 2026 is its expanded Industry Programme, with a strong focus on series production, audience development, and distribution in response to Africa’s rapidly evolving streaming landscape. This includes the North Rift and Western Kenya Film and TV Summit on March 1, and a Film in Education programme delivered in partnership with Tunga Media Afrika.
The festival also launches The Youth Critics Circle, a new initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of African film critics.
Curated Shorts and Global Collaboration
The Short Films Programme features a curated selection by Lagos-based distributor FilmJoint, including Inheritance by Barbara Minishi and Slot by Nmezi Joy. Other notable shorts include Fleas/Amazeze by Jordy Sank and Float by Lydia Matata.
Key distributors shaping the 2026 line-up include Sudu Connexion, Okada Media, and Rushlake Media.
Looking Ahead
Speaking on the announcement, Peter Pages Bwire, Founder and Team Leader of Kitale Film Week, emphasized the festival’s strategic pivot toward deeper industry engagement, particularly in series production as a key growth area for African filmmakers. He noted that partnerships with distributors and industry stakeholders have been central to shaping a programme that is both accessible to audiences and meaningful for practitioners.
With its blend of cinema, education, and industry dialogue, Kitale Film Week 2026 positions itself as a critical platform for East African and continental storytelling — and a key date on Africa’s film festival calendar.
For more information:
Kitale Film Week
Email: info@kitalefilmweek.org
Website: kitalefilmweek.org
Mobile: +254 768 348 234