A guest smiling in the Fankeenna Film Fest photo frame

Fankeenna Film Fest

Fankeenna Film Fest is Somaliland’s first recurring film festival. We launched it to revive film culture in a place where professional cinemas disappeared in the 1980s and opportunities for filmmakers remain limited.

The festival brings local and international films to audiences, gives emerging filmmakers a platform to showcase their work, and creates space for communities to explore important social issues through storytelling.

Through screenings, discussions, workshops and awards, we support emerging talent, encourage better filmmaking and use cinema to spark conversations, challenge perspectives and inspire positive social change.

fankeennafilmfest.com

Three editions

Panel of filmmakers at the 1st Fankeenna Film Fest
1st2023–24The first edition, with support from Movies that Matter.
Filmmaker talk on the red-curtain stage at the 2nd Fankeenna Film Fest
2nd4–12 Sep 2025Films, filmmaker talks and an audience award in the creative courtyard.
Audience member asking a question at the film festival
3rd3–24 Dec 2026Three weeks of films and talks in the creative courtyard. Entry is free.

The programme

01Screenings of Somali short films and documentaries
02Jury, awards and filmmaker talks
03Q&A sessions and panel discussions
04Workshops for filmmakers before the festival
05Networking for filmmakers, actors, writers and producers
Filmmaker talk on the red-curtain stage
Audience voting with ballots
Guests with the festival frames
Screening in the courtyard at the 1st Fankeenna Film Fest
Audience member asking a question after a screening
Filmmakers answering questions
Audience during a screening in the courtyard

Submit your film

Open to filmmakers from Somaliland and the Somali diaspora. The call for the 3rd edition is closed. The next call is announced on @fankeennafilmfest.

Visit the festival site

More of what we do

All programmes
Shaah iyo ShaxanOpen MicExhibitionsYouth-led mediaWorkshops