Entries open for the 2027 kykNET Silwerskerm Festival competition for short films and short documentaries
From 19 to 22 August this year, the 14th kykNET Silwerskerm Festival will take place in Camps Bay, promising once again to be a world-class film festival. The programme includes glamorous premieres, feature films, short films, documentaries, exclusive previews of new TV series’ pilot episodes, as well as workshops and panel discussions with industry experts.
Preparations for this year’s festival are already in full swing, and entries are now open for the 2027 Silwerskerm Festival competition for short films and short documentaries. The festival, which annually supports new voices in the local film and television industry, offers an established platform for both emerging and experienced filmmakers.
The competition is divided into three categories:
- Short films, for which emerging filmmakers may enter.
- Short films, for which established filmmakers may enter.
- Short documentaries, for which both emerging and established filmmakers may submit concept proposals.
The festival is looking for diverse and imaginative storytellers who can set the pace in the fast-evolving film and television industry of today and tomorrow.
The competition spans several phases.
If a short documentary is in your sights, you will initially have to submit the title, documentary genre, story synopsis and themes explored with references to similar doccies. The documentary must be no longer than 30 minutes. Any language may be included, but 60% of the content must be in Afrikaans. Any variant of Afrikaans is welcome.
The finalists for the second round, to be selected in July 2026, will have to submit a pitch video. This is followed by a third sifting round, which includes a full presentation with a budget plan and director’s vision, among other aspects. This round will determine who the successful candidates are to receive funding and mentorship to turn their documentary dreams into reality.
Short film candidates for the 2027 Silwerskerm Festival will be selected through a similar screening process. The short films can be between 7 and 30 minutes long, in any genre and any variant of Afrikaans. It may also include other languages, but 80% of the dialogue must be in Afrikaans.
If your proposal ultimately gets the green light for funding and mentorship, you might just follow in the footsteps of a host of award-winning South African filmmakers who made their industry debut with a Silwerskerm short film. Among them are Christiaan Olwagen, who went on to win numerous awards for films like Johnny Is Nie Dood Nie, Kanarie and Poppie Nongena; trailblazers like Ephraim Gordon and Amy Jephta of Barakat fame and the filmmaking couple Corné and René van Rooyen, known for acclaimed movies like Vaselinetjie, Toorbos and Hans Steek Die Rubicon Oor. Several Silwerskerm Festival short films, such as Vuil Wasgoed and Beurtkrag, have also been developed into feature-length films.
Your entry for the first round of assessment must include a concept proposal of 250 to 300 words. The screenplay, director’s treatment and budget will follow later.
Entry forms for the three categories are available on the Silwerskerm Festival website.
- Entry fee: R350
- Entries close: Friday, 19 June 2026 at midnight.
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