The third edition of Kitale Film week is set to take place in the first week of February with an opening ceremony at the Deepsea Resort.
The 8-day schedule for the event will feature film screenings at the Kitale Museum, the Deepsea Resort with a number of outdoor screenings also scheduled.
“2025 is set to bring a dazzling array of films to the heart of Kenya, showcasing the rich diversity and creative brilliance of filmmakers from across Africa, with a few films out of competition coming from outside the continent,” event organisers said.
“From February 2nd to February 9th, Kitale will become a cinematic hub, hosting narrative features, documentaries, short films, and animated works that explore themes ranging from social justice to cultural heritage, environmental sustainability, and the transformative power of storytelling.”
This year’s event boasts a lineup of 50 films from over 20 countries, including Kenya’s selection for the Oscars, “Nawi.”
Highlights from the 50 include:-
In addition to the 50, the festival has long been a bastion for emerging filmmakers.
“The Kitale Film Week has long been a champion of emerging voices in cinema since its inception where it has primarily focused on Kenya and Ugandan films in the first two editions,” a statement from organisers said.
This year is no different. Films from emerging filmmakers includes:-
Organisers further stated that this year’s selections “demonstrate the festival’s commitment to amplifying diverse stories and nurturing young talents from Kenya and beyond.”
Beyond fiction, the festival will also screen eye-opening, educational documentaries. This include:-
These films highlight the transformative power of documentaries in uncovering hidden stories and sparking meaningful conversations.
Speaking about the 2025 festival and lineup, Festival Director Peter Pages Bwire shared his enthusiasm over sharing these films globally.
“This year’s lineup reflects the incredible diversity and depth of stories that Africa and the world have to offer,” says Bwire. “We are thrilled to share these remarkable films with our community and the global audience.”
