NUST Film Week: A Celebration of Namibian Creativity and African Storytelling

(by Kimberley-Rose Madzima) 

The Department of Digital Arts and Animation, in partnership with the Namibia Film Commission, hosted the annual Film Week at Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), which took place from 12 to 15 March 2026 in the Science and Technology Building. 

The event celebrated Namibian creativity and African storytelling, bringing together filmmakers, students and audiences for four days of film screenings, industry discussions and professional development.

This year, Film Week received an impressive 656 film submissions across various categories, including student productions. Of these, 64 were homegrown Namibian films, highlighting the growing talent and diversity within the country’s film industry.

Following a competitive selection process, 159 films were chosen for screening, featuring productions from across Africa, including Botswana, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Angola, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Rwanda, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco.

At the official opening, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Andrew Niikondo expressed appreciation to the Namibia Film Commission for sponsoring ten scholarships aimed at supporting students from marginalised and underrepresented communities. The scholarships will allow recipients to pursue short courses in scriptwriting, film and animation.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Information and Communication Technology, Hon Emma Theofelus, highlighted the importance of storytelling in shaping national identity.

“Film is far more than entertainment. It is a powerful tool for cultural expression, economic development and national identity,” she said.

She further noted that the creative industry has been recognised by President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as one of Namibia’s priority sectors for innovation, employment creation and cultural diplomacy.

In addition to screenings, the program offered panel discussions on niche content creation and film policy, as well as two professional development workshops:

• Production Budgeting and Taxation with Money Penny Films, which provided practical guidance on building realistic budgets, keeping compliant records and navigating tax obligations.

• Film Marketing and Publicity with Sinema Films SA, offering insights on planning, budgeting and promoting films effectively from development to release.

  
  

The Film Week continues to create a national platform for African filmmakers, industry professionals and audiences to celebrate Namibian filmmaking while providing valuable opportunities for networking, professional insight and skills development.

(Story and Photos: Namibia Film Commission, NUST, MICT)