Dakar Court

View on map
Arts & CultureDakar
Dates8–12 December 2026Confirmed listing
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forPerformance, exhibitionsDakar Court has built a reputation as one of
Language["fr"]Currency: XOF
CategoryArts & CultureFestival type
The story

Dakar Court in Dakar

Dakar Court is Senegal's leading international short-film festival, held each December across several Dakar venues including the Institut Francais and Canal Olympia. Now past its eighth edition, it combines a competitive selection of African and international short films with training programs, industry panels and a Grand Prix awarded to standout work.

Short films rarely get dedicated festival treatment on the scale that feature films do, and Dakar Court was built specifically to fill that gap for Francophone West Africa, establishing itself over eight editions as the region's most consistent platform for short-format cinema.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Dakar Court has built a reputation as one of the more substantial platforms in French-speaking Africa dedicated specifically to short-format film, running its official competition alongside training programs such as Talents Dakar Court and Dakar Court Critique that bring in young participants from Senegal, the wider region and beyond, including a first-time participant from the Democratic Republic of Congo in a recent edition

02

The mystery stays covered

The festival pairs screenings with themed professional discussions, its eighth edition explored the dialogue between music and cinema, and runs an archive-based hackathon inviting participants to create new audiovisual content from historical footage of figures such as Miriam Makeba and Doudou Ndiaye Rose, giving it a genuine focus on film heritage as well as new production

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival is rooted in Dakar's identity as a hub for Francophone African cinema

Water and renewal

Living ritual

extending that tradition specifically to short-format filmmaking and to the preservation and creative reuse of African audiovisual heritage

The sacred route

Living ritual

including archival material tied to figures like Miriam Makeba and Doudou Ndiaye Rose

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

8–12 December 2026

Getting around

Use Dakar transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Casual to smart-casual clothing suits daytime screenings and workshops; slightly dressier attire is appropriate for the closing awards ceremony, though the festival overall has no strict...

Safety

Keep photography restrained at Dakar Court; give people room and treat community moments as more than scenery.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Dakar, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

["fr"] · XOF

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map14.69 N, 17.44 WOpen in Google Maps

Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

Nearest airportDKR — Léopold Sédar Senghor
TransportUse Dakar transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Dakar, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

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 Dakar via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Dakar, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for December.Compare faresFestival gearCasual to smart-casual clothing suits daytime screenings and workshops; slightly dressier attire is appropriate for the closing awards ceremony, though the festival overall has no strict dress requirements.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Senegal and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

We may earn a small commission from trusted travel partners at no extra cost to you.

FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Dakar Court?

Dakar Court is listed for 8–12 December 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Dakar Court take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

5 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?

Dakar, Dakar, Senegal

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 URLen.unifrance.org
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed dates8–12 December 2026
Source statusOfficial source linked
Related festivals

Continue the route.

Photo pending

Buenos Aires International Book Fair

Past edition: 23 April–11 May 2026

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Photo pending

Cairo International Book Fair

Past edition: 21 January–3 February 2026

Cairo, Egypt
Photo pending

Pageant of the Masters

Not represented as one continuous festival occurrence

Laguna Beach, United States
Photo pending

Annecy International Animation Film Festival

Past edition: 8–14 June 2025

Annecy, France

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →