Part of Shorts Program 1: Out of Bounds in FilmAfrica 2026
An assortment of new and recent short films made in Egypt, South Africa, Uganda, Cameroon, and the African diaspora explores the weight of choice and autonomy.
We Had Fun (2023)
Dir. Linda Lô
18min; DCP
France
In French with English subtitles
Bordeaux, 1987, Christmas Eve. Linda (5), Biram (9), and Roger (20) live away from their mother, who stayed in Gabon. When the eldest son treats himself to a weekend getaway, his siblings, left to their own devices, see snow for the first time and put themselves in danger.
The Sky is Falling (2025)
Dir. Mostafa Gerbeii
12min; DCP
Egypt
In Arabic with English subtitles
US Premiere
In a state of panic, Kafr—a manager at a coffee roasting factory—rushes into the factory after locking all the doors to warn the workers that the sky is falling outside and that no one can leave. The workers react to the news in various ways, ranging from disbelief to questioning Kafr's mental stability. One worker challenges Kafr's decision and attempts to leave, igniting a fierce confrontation between the two that spirals into chaos within the factory.
Melusi (2025)
Dir. Ntokozo Lwazi Mlaba
22min; DCP
South Africa
In Zulu with English subtitles
US Premiere
Set against the backdrop of Ingoma, the tradition of cultural song and dance for the prize of a sheep, this rural South African drama follows Melusi—a village shepherd who steals the prize sheep to raise money for his commute to Johannesburg—resulting in conflict in the village. Melusi, his friends, and his girlfriend Ntombi live a life that contrasts with societal expectations, believing you cannot play by the rules of a game that was built for you to lose.
Last Taxi to Kawempe (2026)
Dir. Walta Gabriel Busulwa
24min; DCP
Canada, Uganda
In Luganda with English subtitles
World Premiere
In the busy streets of Kampala, Viola waits anxiously for her mother to return from a work trip as night falls and the last taxi fills up. At the same time, a gang leader known as Big Dog plans a major robbery with his crew. When one member receives a strange message and backs out, the plan begins to fall apart.
The Kankurang (2025)
Dir. Ciesay
9min; DCP
France, Gambia
In Wolof and English with English subtitles
US Premiere
The story of a young boy embracing the tradition of the Kankurang, Ciesay’s short follows Omar as he is forced to abandon his dream of becoming a pilot after his father's sudden passing, shifting his focus to stepping up as the man of the house.
Sous le Soleil du Kwat (2025)
Dir. Christine Dikonguè
6min; DCP
Cameroon, Canada
In French with English subtitles
A portrait of love caught at the edge of sacrifice and new horizons, Sous le Soleil du Kwat (Under the Borough Sun) lets a tender love story unfold in the vibrance of Cameroon’s streets—until a revelation threatens to change everything.
How to Hide It (2025)
Dir. Ramla Ali & Richard A. Moore
13min; DCP
UK
How To Hide It follows Zahra Ahmed, a 26-year-old British Sudanese woman working the night shift at a rundown East London off-license with her colleague Danny, an aging DJ. Despite her strict Muslim faith forbidding gambling, Zahra impulsively buys a lottery ticket after recalling an embarrassing encounter with Khaled, a man from her past whose arranged marriage to her was called off. To their shock, Zahra's ticket wins the £184 million EuroMillions jackpot. While Danny celebrates wildly, Zahra panics about the religious implications and how to explain her sudden wealth to her traditional family. As she navigates the complex challenge of claiming her prize while maintaining her elaborate cover story to her parents, she must confront the tension between her desires for a better life and her deeply held beliefs. This film explores themes of faith versus temptation, family expectations, cultural identity, and the age-old question of whether good fortune can ever truly be separated from consequence.