The second edition of the Kilifi Creek Festival (KCF) returns to the Kenyan coast from 23rd- 31st October 2026. Keeping alive the theme of ‘Water is Memory, Movement and Magic‘, this year’s festival brings an expanded programme and upholds its promise of immersion in rich storytelling and conversation in one of the country’s most distinctive cultural landscapes.
The 2026 edition brings together filmmakers, artists, communities, cultural organisations and audiences for nine days of discovery, exchange and entertainment. This year, the festival received 260 film submissions from morethan 50 countries, an extraordinary response that speaks to the growing international interest in KCF.
The festival is also excited to announce that renowned Nigerian filmmaker Dr Sulaiman Kassim will serve as President of the Jury. Dr Kassim is an African media executive and creative-industries leader with over 20 years of industry experience. Alongside a nine-member jury of respected filmmakers, programmersand cultural practitioners with a strong commitment to the filmmaking, complexity and social power of moving-image storytelling, the 2026 edition extends its reputation as the premier film festival on the Kenyan coast.
Continuing a practice initiated last year and underscoring its commitment to engaging with Kilifi-based organisations, the festival will take place across locations along the waters of Kilifi Creek, with The Terrace Art Space serving as the festival’s main base. Alongside its screenings, the festival features a dynamic industry programme of conversations, workshops, masterclasses, and sessions that bring filmmakers, cultural practitioners, and creative entrepreneurs together to share knowledge, build connections, and open up new possibilities. KCF 2026 is powered by a growing network of local and international partners helping bring bold stories, new ideas and creative opportunities to the Kenyan coast.
As proof of the festival’s evolution, a new logo and visual identity have been launched, giving the festival aclearer, more expressive image in keeping with its goals and scenic location.
From grassroots cultural spaces to leading international film organisations, this year’s Kilifi Creek Festival is powered by a growing network of partners helping bring bold stories, new ideas and creative opportunities to the coast. This year’s festival partners include the HEVA Fund, European Union National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC), Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands, Docubox East Africa, International Documentary Association, Global Girl Media, Chicken & Egg Films, Chevening, Sauti Sessions, British Council East Africa, African Film Press, Tunga Africa, Shuga Global, Norda, Movies That Matter, Baobab Studios, Kite Holdings, Jani Beauty, D.light, MUICA, Web3Clubs, Sanaa Post, The African CinemaFestival– Lausanne, and Kivukoni School among others.
The full programme, accreditation guidance and further announcements will be shared via the festival’s official channels. Media partners are encouraged to follow KCF online and contact the Communications Office for press materials, interview requests and editorial opportunities.
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