Goethe-Institut
KILIFI CREEK FESTIVAL
"Water is Memory, Movement, and Magic.
Drawing on the rhythm of the tides, the festival celebrates the power of art to revive, reconnect, and regenerate."
Set along the winding waters of Kilifi Creek, KCF is an artist-led, community-rooted celebration of cinema, culture, and creative exchange. Through Creekside screenings, workshops, performances, exhibitions, and community gatherings, we bring together filmmakers, artists, and audiences from Kenya and around the world.
Join us from 23–31 October 2026 as we transform Kilifi into a living cultural corridor where storytelling meets nature, heritage, and community.
INAUGURAL FESTIVAL
OUR 2025 HIGHLIGHTS
1,000+
Attendees
33
Films from 15 countries
47
Screenings across 7 venues
20+
Local businesses engaged
12
Filmmakers hosted
800
Reached through free community screenings
BUILDING ON OUR FIRST EDITION
OUR 2026 GOALS
5,000
Total audience reach
2,500
On-site festival attendance
2,500
Activation, grassroots and livestream reach
120
Creatives directly trained
14
Workshops and mentorship sessions
18
Panels and industry discussions
33
Local and international films
CONFIRMED KCF 2026 PARTNERS
Partners and Brands
Goethe-Institut
EUNIC — EU National Institutes for Culture
Chevening
British Council
Baruu Collective
The Terrace
Afrofilms International
Tawi Creative Hub
Docubox — East African Documentary Film Fund
Movies That Matter
Sauti Sessions
Distant Relatives — Kilifi EcoLodge & Backpackers
Salty's on the Creek — Original Fish Bar
Blue House
Chicken & Egg FilmsKCF 2026
SUBMISSIONS CLOSED
Film Submissions Are Now Closed
Thank you to every filmmaker who submitted work for the 2026 Kilifi Creek Festival. The confirmed programme will be shared in due time.
VIEW 2026 PROGRAMME
23–31 October 2026
KILIFI, KENYA
Festival Team
The festival brings together global film leaders and local creatives, led by renowned Kenyan filmmakers Zippy Kimundu (Afrofilms International), Saitabao Kaiyare and Mumo Liku (Baruu collective), Naomi Molilybo Ernst, Wakarima Wangui, and acclaimed author and activist Kevin Mwachiro as Festival Director.
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Our Base
FESTIVAL HEADQUARTERS
The Terrace Art Space
An innovative venue on the shores of the creek, serving as the creative heart of the festival. Join us for screenings, workshops, and sunset conversations.
Location
Mnarani, Bandari Beach, Kilifi
Contact
Festival HeadquartersThe Terrace Art Space
Mnarani, Bandari Beach, Kilifi