Stories from the Slums, on Screen

A community-based annual film event featuring stories from, by, and about people living in urban slums.

Founded in 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya, the Slum Film Festival promotes the creativity of filmmakers working in informal settlements and brings outdoor screenings to communities with limited access to cinema in Kibera and Mathare.

Recent Updates

• January 31, 2018

  Call For Entries SFF 2018

  The call for entries is open for SFF 2018. Films are welcomed from filmmakers from slums or films about slums, including short Drama (max 20 mins), Documentary (max 20 mins), and Community News reporting or feature (max 10 mins). Exploitation and pornography are not eligible.

  
• 2017

  SFF 2017 Award Winners & Festival Program

  The 2017 edition featured award winners, a published festival program, and the 2017 Film Lab running alongside community screenings.

  
• 2016

  SFF 2016 — Jury, Official Selection & Awards Gala

  SFF 2016 brought together jury members, official selections, and visiting filmmakers, with panel discussions, community screenings, and the awards gala.

  
• 2015

  SFF 2015 — Film Lab, Screenings & Awards Gala

  The 2015 edition included a Film Lab, community screenings, the opening and awards galas, and a closing gala.

  
• September 2 – 7, 2013

  SFF 2013 — Workshops & Winning Films

  SFF 2013 screenings took place between the 2nd and 7th of September, with workshops hosted in Kibera by the Hot Sun Foundation and in Mathare by Slum-TV, focused on "Business in Film" over 5 days with 20 participants. The edition received nearly 30 submissions from countries including India, Nigeria, Kenya, and Ireland.

  The Slum Film Festival stands as a pioneering platform dedicated to amplifying voices that often go unheard in mainstream cinema. By centering stories from informal settlements across Africa and beyond, the festival creates space for filmmakers who live and work in these communities to share their own realities through a visual language that resonates globally. This focus on authenticity and lived experience sets the festival apart from more conventional film events, offering audiences a window into places frequently misrepresented or overlooked. In doing so, it reframes the narrative around slums, moving beyond stereotypes toward a richer, more nuanced dialogue.

  Filmmaking within slum communities carries its own set of challenges and possibilities. Limited resources, unpredictable schedules, and infrastructural constraints often shape the production process in ways that demand creative problem-solving. Cameras become tools of self-representation, allowing residents to document their own environments, traditions, and aspirations without relying on outside interpretations. This approach not only builds technical skills but also strengthens community identity, as participants see their surroundings reflected on screen with dignity and complexity. The festival recognizes that the act of filming itself can be transformative, turning everyday stories into powerful works of art.

  Workshops and training programs form a vital component of the festival's broader mission. By hosting sessions in collaboration with local organizations and mentors, emerging filmmakers gain hands-on experience with storytelling techniques, editing workflows, and the practical logistics of bringing a project from concept to screen. These learning environments foster collaboration between established practitioners and first-time participants, creating a supportive network that extends well beyond the festival dates. Participants often leave with new skills, renewed confidence, and a clearer sense of how their unique perspectives can contribute to a global conversation.

  Submission and selection processes are designed to be as inclusive as possible, welcoming entries from a wide range of countries and filmmaking styles. Whether the work takes the form of a short documentary, a narrative vignette, or an experimental piece, the festival prioritizes originality and emotional honesty over polished production values. This openness reflects a belief that compelling stories can emerge from anywhere, given the right platform and audience. The selection process itself becomes a form of curatorial care, ensuring that each chosen film contributes something meaningful to the overall program.

  Screenings are typically accompanied by panel discussions, Q&A sessions, and community events that encourage dialogue between filmmakers and audiences. These gatherings transform passive viewing into active exchange, allowing viewers to ask questions, share reflections, and engage directly with the people behind the camera. Such interactions deepen the impact of the films and create lasting connections across cultural and geographic boundaries. The festival atmosphere is one of curiosity and mutual respect, where difficult subjects can be approached thoughtfully and where laughter, reflection, and conversation coexist naturally.

  Community engagement remains central to the festival's identity, extending well beyond the screening rooms. Local partners play a crucial role in hosting workshops, organizing events, and ensuring that the festival remains rooted in the neighborhoods it serves. This grassroots approach helps build trust and ensures that the programming reflects the priorities and interests of residents rather than external assumptions. By working alongside community organizations, the festival strengthens local creative ecosystems and contributes to a broader sense of cultural ownership over the stories being told.

  The festival's annual program has grown to encompass a rich variety of themes and formats, reflecting the diversity of experiences within informal settlements around the world. Some editions have focused on entrepreneurship and economic life, while others have explored themes of memory, displacement, and resilience. Each annual theme is chosen to resonate with current conversations while remaining open to the unexpected directions that submitted films might take. This balance between curatorial intention and creative surprise keeps the program fresh and relevant year after year.

  Awards and recognitions form an important moment of celebration within the festival calendar. Honoring films and filmmakers through categories such as jury prizes or audience favorites acknowledges the labor and vision that goes into each project. For many participants, receiving recognition at the festival represents a significant milestone, offering validation and visibility that can open doors to further opportunities. The awards ceremony itself is designed to be inclusive and joyful, bringing together filmmakers, supporters, and community members in a shared moment of appreciation for storytelling.

  Looking ahead, the festival continues to evolve as a platform for underrepresented voices in global cinema. With each edition, it strengthens its network of filmmakers, partners, and audiences, building a sustainable infrastructure for creative expression in places where artistic platforms are often scarce. The ongoing mission is not only to screen films but to nurture a movement of storytellers who see cinema as a means of connection, empowerment, and change. Through this commitment, the festival remains a vital and growing presence in the international film landscape.

  
• 2011

  SFF 2011 — Founding Edition

  Founded in 2011 in Nairobi, the festival began as a community-based annual event showcasing films from, by, and about people living in urban African slums.