Over the past 8 years, the Adiaha Award has become one of the most prestigious accolades awarded in African film. Its focus on showcasing the exceptional talent of African women filmmakers has seen winning films go on to compete, and win, at other festivals around the world.  Previous winners have included, Miki Redelinghuys, Pearlie Joubert: Mother City (2025),  Zippy Kimundu and Meena Nanji: Our Land, Our Freedom (2024) and Cyrielle Raingou: Le Spectre de Boko Haram (2023).

Following on from last year's successful pivot to an online competition,  in this 8th edition of the award, the winning film and filmmaker will also be showcased at Afrikamera in Berlin, Germany in November 2026 in addition to the $2,000 cash prize.

After the appearance of the Ladima Foundation's Board Member Chanelle Ellaya at the 2025 edition of the festival where she spoke on a panel discussion titled, 'Breaking into the industry: Training and Strategies for Women Filmmakers,' this partnership is an important next step. As Ute Rügner, Project Manager of the festival explains:

"AFRIKAMERA – Current Cinema from Africa is excited for its collaboration with the Ladima Foundation as the official partner of the Adiaha Award for Best Documentary by an African Woman Filmmaker 2026.  The partnership aims to increase visibility for African women filmmakers and to strengthen their storytelling through the festival's program. As part of the AFRIKAMERA 2026 edition 'REFLECT', taking place in Berlin in November 2026 (date to be confirmed), the winner of the Adiaha Award will be invited to present her film, and the prize will feature in the festival program, celebrating diverse African storytelling in cinema."

The Afrikamera Festival has been committed to intercultural dialogue between Africa and Germany since 2007 and sees itself as a permanent platform for dialogue between African filmmakers and the Berlin audience, and as a place for exchange between filmmakers, producers, and distributors. 

Open exclusively to African women, living and / or working on the continent, and for films produced in Africa,  entries are now open on Film Freeway: https://filmfreeway.com/LadimaAdiahaAward

Key Information:  

    Submissions open on Dec 10 2025 and will close at midnight CAT on March 10, 2026.
    To enter and to find out more information concerning the competition, eligibility, and terms and conditions, visit FilmFreeway.com: https://filmfreeway.com/LadimaAdiahaAward
    Make sure to sign up for our A-list so that you don't miss out on any important award and selection-related information. To sign up for the A-list, click on the following link: https://ladima.africa/a-list/ 
    Entries are now open on Film Freeway and close on 10 March 2026. 

ABOUT THE LADIMA FOUNDATION

The Ladima Foundation is a not for profit organisation, founded in 2018 and registered in South Africa and Tanzania with the aim of contributing to correcting the major imbalances within the film, TV and content industries.

Through a number of initiatives, The Ladima Foundation supports, trains, and mentors women in a variety of roles within the film, TV, and content spaces.

Through partnerships and collaborations in various countries, as well as through Pan-African networks and interventions, the Ladima Foundation is committed to developing training, networking, and related opportunities for women professionals who demonstrate their seriousness and commitment to their craft. www.ladima.africa

ABOUT AFRIKAMERA – Current Cinema from Africa

The non-profit cultural association toucouleur e.V. has promoted the AFRIKAMERA film festival – Current Cinema from Africa since 2007, fostering intercultural dialogue between Africa and Germany. AFRIKAMERA uses film to showcase Berlin audiences the full diversity of the African continent, beyond the common topics of violence, disease, and natural disasters. By presenting everyday life's many facets and inner perspectives of filmmakers from the continent, it brings these stories to life on the big screen.

AFRIKAMERA positions itself as a lasting platform for dialogue between African filmmakers and Berlin audiences, and as a hub for exchange among filmmakers, producers, and distributors. To this end, AFRIKAMERA collaborates with major African film festivals, institutions, and initiatives from Marrakesh to Durban.

With annually changing thematic focuses, the festival tackles issues relevant to Africa's post-independence-generation of young filmmakers. AFRIKAMERA also engages in education and cultural outreach, organizing workshops, panels, and events in Germany and abroad. More information: https://www.afrikamera.de/en/