Mandela Bay Film Festival Expands Following Overwhelming Industry Response. Now in November

MANDELA BAY FILM FESTIVAL 2026 – POSTPONEMENT NOTICE
The Mandela Bay Film Festival Steering Committee wishes to inform filmmakers, industry stakeholders, partners and the public that the Festival, originally scheduled for 18–20 September 2026, has been postponed to November 2026.
Following the launch of our digital poster and marketing campaign last Thursday, we received an overwhelming response from filmmakers, industry practitioners, institutions and stakeholders requesting participation, collaboration and inclusion in the Festival programme.
This tremendous response has presented us with an opportunity to make the 2026 Festival broader, more inclusive and representative of the Eastern Cape and the wider African film industry.
The postponement will also allow us to complete the necessary safety and compliance processes at The Athenaeum, including the required Safety Certificate and inspections by the relevant municipal facilities officials to ensure that the venue meets all requirements for hosting the Festival. At the same time, selected films are undergoing the necessary Film and Publication Board (FPB) licensing/exemption processes.
The new November 2026 Festival dates will be announced once the venue safety certification and municipal assessments have been completed.
We sincerely appreciate the incredible support and interest shown by the film industry and our stakeholders. This is not a cancellation, but an opportunity to build a stronger, more inclusive and impactful Mandela Bay Film Festival 2026.