Welcome

Stories have always been essential for people to make sense of their existence. The kykNET Silwerskerm Festival is a highly regarded South African and Afrikaans film and content festival that has supported, empowered and developed the local industry for the past 13 years. It is here, in the charming Camps Bay, where original South African stories are cherished and celebrated annually.

Alongside the world or South African premieres of the latest feature films, the Silwerskerm Festival showcases the work of emerging talent in a diverse range of short films and short documentaries produced with the festival’s financial support and mentorship. Short films by experienced filmmakers aim to move audiences and inspire emerging talent. The packed festival programme includes panel discussions, workshops and industry-focused master classes led by leading local and international experts. The prestigious Silwerskerm Awards for Film and Television honour outstanding achievements. The Silwermark content mart, held during the festival, offers the opportunity for in-person pitches to both kykNET and Showmax across a variety of content categories. The festival also screens selected films elsewhere in Cape Town, with exciting free community screenings in underserved neighbourhoods.

We remain committed to the following objectives:
• Expanding the South African film and TV industry
• Audience development
• Training and mentorship
• Promoting local content, nationally and internationally
• Social cohesion and healthy discourse

Please enjoy the festival. May the alchemistic fire of our enchanting, homegrown stories inspire you and surprise you with fresh perspectives.

– Tina Kruger, Programme Manager: kykNET Silwerskermfees

Silwerskerm initiatives

SILWERMARK

Every year, filmmakers get the opportunity to submit a concept proposal in various video entertainment genres for the Silwermark. Submissions are selected for an in-person pitching session to a panel of commissioning decision makers at the festival. The selection process is driven by the M-Net Content Hub Commissioning Editors representing the various categories.

Concepts for new television or streaming shows must fit into either of the following categories and adhere to a 70% Afrikaans dialogue prerequisite:

1. kykNET Drama
2. kykNET Reality & Entertainment
3. kykNET Documentary
4. Afrikaans Feature Films
5. Showmax Script-driven Concepts (Comedy/Drama)
6. kykNET Advertiser Funded Programmes (AFPs)

SHORT FILM PROJECT – Rising filmmakers

The Silwerskerm Short Film Project grants rising filmmakers the opportunity to develop and produce short films with the financial backing and mentorship of the festival. This initiative has offered a platform to numerous now well-known filmmakers to enter and establish themselves in the industry. The project has grown exponentially over the last couple of years and has branched out into various short film categories.

SHORT FILM PROJECT – Established filmmakers

This category, which offers established filmmakers funding and a platform to showcase their craft at the festival, is part of the festival for the second time this year. A condition for participation in the category is that the filmmakers mentor less-experienced team members.

SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS – Rising filmmakers

The Silwerskerm Short Documentary Project enables emerging filmmakers to develop and produce documentaries of no longer than half an hour, telling real-life stories. This project was successful from the get-go and has grown quickly, enabling an entire new genre to find footing in the festival landscape, with award categories recognising outstanding achievements.

SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILMS – Established filmmakers

This year, submissions have been opened to more experienced filmmakers working in the documentary field to submit concepts for selection, funding and screening at the Silwerskerm Festival in 2026.

INDEPENDENT SHORT FILMS

The Silwerskerm Festival is proud to expand its offering of independent short films. Traditionally the majority of short films screened at the festival was initiated, financed and mentored by the Silwerskermfees Short Film Project. This year, the festival boasts more independent short films by local filmmakers in a variety of genres and indigenous South African languages.

FEATURE FILMS

Original screenplays and book adaptations have captivated Silwerskerm audiences over the past twelve years in the thrilling feature film category. An annual highlight of the festival, these cinematic experiences are crafted by the cream of the local industry across a variety of film genres, focusing on authentically South African stories.

COMMUNITY SCREENINGS

The Silwerskerm Festival honours its commitment to develop audiences by extending the festival’s reach to in and around Cape Town by screening curated feature films to communities. Often the films selected have been informed by, inspired by or even produced in the chosen communities, a way for the festival to give back to the people.

TELEVISION AND STREAMER CONTENT

Since 2023, the Silwerskermfees programme line-up started to include sneak peeks of television and streamer content as a vibrant addition to the festival. This means the Afrikaans film content landscape is now hosted, stimulated and celebrated in its entirety at the unique networking opportunity the festival offers. Feature-length documentaries, pilot episodes of drama series and reality and entertainment shows are screened, and these storytellers enjoy the glitz and glamour of the festival alongside their filmmaking peers.

kykNET SILWERSKERM AWARDS FOR FILM AND TELEVISION

The Silwerskerm Awards for Film and Television have expanded into two prestigious prize-giving ceremonies, honouring outstanding achievements – both behind and in front of the camera – across 45 award categories. Both events will take place in Cape Town on 23 August: the first on Saturday morning at The Bay Hotel, and the second on Saturday evening at the CTICC. The glamorous evening awards ceremony at the CTICC will be broadcast on kykNET.