FilmAid Kenya announces the 18th FilmAid Film Festival (FAFF 2025), a six-day celebration of refugee and host-community storytelling, running October 21–24 in Kakuma, Dadaab, and Kalobeyei, and October 29–30 in Nairobi.
Co-presented with UNHCR Kenya, the Kenya Film Commission, and the Golden Globe Foundation, FAFF 2025, under the theme Stories That Move Us: Building a Creative Digital Economy, brings an in-person
delegation of refugee filmmakers and FilmAid alumni to Nairobi for screenings, masterclasses, industrydialogues, and the Gala Awards.
“FAFF exists to move young creatives from learning to earning, turning craft into credits, contracts, and careers,” said Stella Suge, Executive Director, FilmAid Kenya. “This year centers refugee filmmakers on
stage and on the screen, linking them to partners who can open real market pathways,” she adds.
- Refugee Camp Editions (October 21–24): Kakuma, Dadaab & Kalobeyei: Open-air Cinema Under the Stars screenings; cultural showcases; public dialogues on employability and durable solutions; student graduations and portfolio exhibitions.
- Premiere & Media/Industry Day (Wed, October 29, 2:00–8:00 p.m.): FAWE House, Kilimani: Press briefing, cultural showcase, and curated screenings including Between the Rains, Impure, FilmAid student films and international selections; industry masterclasses (directing; cinematography & sound; editing & delivery; budgeting & distribution); partner booths(Kenya Film Commission “Film in Kenya”; IKM Legal Clinic on Intellectual Propery); networking marketplace with broadcasters, streamers, brands, NGOs, and festival programmers.
- Gala Awards (Thu, October 30, 6:00–9:00 p.m.): The Trademark Hotel, Nairobi: Red carpet & meet-the-filmmakers; finalists’ screenings; keynote speakers, live performance; awards and partner networking. FAFF 2025 will present Best Dramatic Short, Best Documentary Short, Best Director, Best Actor, and Emerging Filmmaker. A jury of industry practitioners and FilmAid alumni will adjudicate finalists from camp and Nairobi showcases.
- About FilmAid Kenya
- FilmAid harnesses the power of film and creative media to Inform. Engage. Empower refugees and host communities. Through accessible screenings, strategic communications, and skills development, FilmAid equips young people with storytelling skills and links them to jobs, enterprise, and distribution, reaching hundreds of thousands annually across Kenya.