Mashariki African Film Festival

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Carnival & ParadeKigali
DatesDates TBA · Usually NovemberCheck locally before booking
Duration8 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forMasks, paradesMashariki stands out as a genuinely
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: RWF
CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type
The story

Mashariki African Film Festival in Kigali

Mashariki African Film Festival is Rwanda's leading pan-African film event, screening and awarding films by African and diaspora filmmakers in Kigali. Named after the Swahili word for east, it has grown into one of the region's most closely watched showcases for African cinema, drawing filmmakers, industry guests, and audiences each year.

Mashariki African Film Festival, sometimes abbreviated MAAFF, is a Rwanda-based film event built specifically to highlight and award films made by Africans and by filmmakers of the African diaspora.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Mashariki stands out as a genuinely Rwandan-grown platform for African storytelling rather than an imported festival brand

02

The mystery stays covered

Its selection process draws submissions from across the continent and the African diaspora, and its accompanying Mashariki Awards have become a recognized marker of achievement for emerging African filmmakers

03

The city starts moving

The 2025 edition selected around 100 films for screening and introduced a new academy structure alongside expanded global collaborations, reflecting an ambition to grow beyond a single annual screening event into a longer-term industry-building institution for African cinema, centered on Kigali's Century Cinema

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's name honors the Swahili word mashariki

Water and renewal

Living ritual

meaning east

The sacred route

Living ritual

reflecting its positioning as a festival for East African and wider African storytelling within the continent's growing pan-African film movement

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually November

Getting around

For Mashariki African Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Kigali venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Smart casual for daytime screenings and panels; the closing awards ceremony calls for smarter evening wear. Kigali's mild highland climate means a light jacket is useful after dark.

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

For Mashariki African Film Festival, stay near the part of Kigali you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

RWF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map1.95 S, 30.06 EOpen in Google Maps

Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

Nearest airportKGL — Kigali
TransportFor Mashariki African Film Festival, plan transport around the exact Kigali venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Mashariki African Film Festival, stay near the part of Kigali you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Kigali via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Kigali, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for November.Compare faresFestival gearSmart casual for daytime screenings and panels; the closing awards ceremony calls for smarter evening wear. Kigali's mild highland climate means a light jacket is useful after dark.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Rwanda and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mashariki African Film Festival?

Mashariki African Film Festival is listed for Past edition: 22–29 November 2025. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mashariki African Film Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Kigali, Rwanda. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

8 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Kigali, Kigali, Rwanda

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmasharikifestival.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually November
Source statusOfficial source linked
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