SSAFF is a travelling film festival that trains young people to make films in two weeks, then takes those films back to the communities that inspired them. Born from a partnership with Italy's Cinemadamare, SSAFF believes that African cinema's next chapter will be written by Africans — young ones, from every corner of the continent.
SSAFF was born in 2014 from a conversation in Rome between Kenyan filmmaker Samuel Oluoko and the Cinemadamare team. The first festival launched in 2019 in Nairobi, training a cohort of young filmmakers and touring their work across five Kenyan counties. Season II followed in 2022, and Season III launches November 2026.
To train young African filmmakers — regardless of background or prior experience — to make original short films in two weeks, and to screen those films in their own communities through open-air events accessible to everyone. We build skills, confidence, and a network that lasts beyond the festival.
To be Africa's leading platform for young filmmakers — a festival that moves, a school that teaches, and a community that endures. We envision a continent where every young person with a story has the tools and the stage to tell it, and where African cinema is recognised globally for its depth and diversity.
SSAFF is a school, a community, and a platform rolled into one. Every edition gives young Africans the tools to tell stories that matter — and an audience ready to hear them.
Two weeks of hands-on training covering scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, sound, and editing — led by professional filmmakers.
Films made at SSAFF travel across Kenya — Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru — reaching audiences that mainstream cinema never touches.
Through our partnership with Cinemadamare, SSAFF alumni connect to a global network of filmmakers, festivals, and industry professionals.
Free community screenings bring cinema to audiences who have never attended a film festival. Stories rooted in local culture, seen by local people.
Every participant works with experienced mentors throughout the festival — building careers, not just films.
SSAFF is open to young Kenyans aged 18–35 with a passion for storytelling. No prior filmmaking experience is required — our workshops are designed to take you from zero to a finished short film in two weeks. Applications are reviewed on enthusiasm, story ideas, and commitment.
Stories That Move Across Africa
SSAFF Season III runs 5 November – 18 December 2026. Be part of it — as a filmmaker, an audience member, or a sponsor.
