Big World Cinema

26/03/2026

Thinking of applying to the African Producers Accelerator? Hear what our 2025 participants had to say 🔊
Featuring: Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Annemarie du Plessis, Neo.S. Baloyi, Jorge Cohen, Zoe Ramushu, Josh Olaoluwa and Osahon Akpata.

Apply via https://tinyurl.com/vsxp3dzd

The APA is presented by Big World Cinema in partnership with Bertha Foundation and National Film and Video Foundation, and in association with Durban FilmMart SA and Central Film School.

12/03/2026

🚨 Call for Applications
Following a successful pilot year, the African Producers Accelerator (APA) returns in 2026 - this time with an open call for mid-career African producers ready to strengthen their companies, sharpen their strategy and scale their impact.

Run by Big World Cinema in partnership with Bertha Foundation and National Film and Video Foundation and in association with Durban FilmMart Institute and Central Film School, the 12-week programme offers tailor-made advisory and practical support designed around each producer’s specific company and slate. The programme will culminate in an in-person lab in Cape Town and participation at DFM.

Applications close at 23:59 SAST on 5 April 2026. See the link below for more information and eligibility criteria.

Following a successful pilot year, the African Producers Accelerator (APA) returns in 2026 — this time with an open call for mid-career…

19/12/2024

As 2024 comes to an end, so does our 30th anniversary. Thank you again to all the filmmakers and partners.

Music by Jim Chuchu, from "Stories of Our Lives" OST

20/11/2024

Wanuri Kahiu's RAFIKI is available to watch for free for 48 hours ✨ (Africa, excluding Kenya) Access details here 👇

13/11/2024

hajooj kuka's BEATS OF THE ANTONOV is available to watch for free for 48 hours ✨

30/10/2024

Pascale Lamche's WINNIE is available to watch for free for 48 hours ✨

23/10/2024

The Nest Collective's STORIES OF OUR LIVES is available to watch for free for 48 hours ✨ (excluding Kenya)

16/10/2024

hajooj kuka's AKasha is available to watch for free for 48 hours ✨

14/10/2024

Each week we're offering one of our films for free viewing on Vimeo on Demand. Head over to our Instagram Stories to vote on what you'd like to watch this week: https://www.instagram.com/bigworldcinema/

27/09/2024

Africa Direct - short documentaries from African filmmakers - wrapped up three seasons last month. The series features 72 films from 57 filmmakers, in 28 African countries. It was a privilege to work with directors and producers from across the continent over the last three years and we celebrate their beautiful work! You can watch all the films on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzGHKb8i9vTzcNFylHo6TGkMw220146sj

Congratulations to all the filmmakers, and a huge thank you to Al Jazeera English and the Africa Direct team: Steven Markovitz, Brian Tilley, Angèle Diabang, Aïcha Macky, Tamsin Ranger, Pandora Maphumulo and Anga Mqingwana - as well as the editors and post production facilities who supported the series 🌍

18/07/2024

Big World Cinema congratulates its founder and CEO, Steven Markovitz on his award of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters for his contribution to African cinema, by the French government.
Mandisa Zitha, the festival director of Encounters South African International Documentary Festival also received the award at the ceremony in Cape Town yesterday.