Film - CANEX WKND 2026

CANEX FILM FACTORY

Elevating African and Caribbean Cinema to Global Markets

CANEX Film Factory develops, showcases, celebrates and connects African, Caribbean and Diaspora filmmakers. Through the CANEX Film Programme, film, TV and content practitioners and producers gain access to financing, distribution, and global market opportunities, positioning their stories as both cultural assets and drivers of economic growth.

ABOUT canex film

The CANEX Film Factory is designed to advance Global African cinema by nurturing talent, scaling production capacity, and expanding access to global markets.

Through interventions such as the CANEX Shorts, policy roundtables, strategic partnerships, pitching sessions, and curated film-focused programming at CANEX WKND, CANEX strengthens the full audiovisual value chain from development to distribution while connecting filmmakers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora to investors, collaborators, and international audiences.

programmes & activitIES

CANEX Shorts COMPETITION

An annual short film competition open to filmmakers from Africa, the Caribbean, and the diaspora between the ages of 18 and 35, celebrating excellence across short fiction, documentary, and animation.

Participants gain:
● Access to cash prizes

● Industry recognition

● Screening opportunities at CANEX platforms

● Exposure to global partners and distributors

canex SHORTS SCREENING

A curated showcase of the Top 30 films selected through the CANEX Shorts Competition, presented during CANEX WKND.

Participants gain:
● Public showcase of selected films

● Access to producers, distributors, and investors

● Audience engagement and industry feedback

● Visibility within the CANEX ecosystem

EVEnts

A curated lineup of sessions designed to inform, connect, and unlock opportunities across African and Caribbean film industries:

Industry Panels — Exploring financing, distribution, and co-production opportunities

Fireside Chats — Conversations with leading filmmakers, actors and industry executives

Masterclasses — Practical sessions on storytelling, production, and navigating global markets