Dates: 27 April – 02 May 2027
Location: TBA, Bloemfontein, South Africa
The festival takes place in the heart of Bloemfontein, at a dedicated hub for arts and culture. Full venue details, including an interactive map, transport options, and nearby accommodation, will be provided closer to the festival dates.
We're excited to announce that registration for the 2027 Heartlands Film Festival Africa will open on 1 November 2026. Along with registration, we'll be revealing the full festival line-up, venue details, and the list of special guest speakers and filmmakers. Stay tuned: this is where the journey begins.
Heartlands Film Festival Africa will take place from 27 April to 2 May 2027 in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Join us for six days of spirited cinema of the heart, celebrating experimental and arthouse films from across the African continent and its diaspora.
Heartlands Film Festival Africa curates spirited cinema of the heart — what we call hearthouse. We champion experimental and arthouse films that offer nuanced, heartfelt portrayals of the African continent and its diaspora.
Founded by film critic Tshi Malatji along with Zanda Nosenga and Thabiso Olifant, HFFA evolved from the merger of the CINEBA and Adisi Film Festivals in 2026. The festival now spans six days with a deliberate pan-African programming approach, celebrating the best of contemporary African arthouse cinema.
HFFA presents two annual awards, offered by the CINEBA Organisation, recognising excellence in African and diaspora cinema. These are not competitive prizes; they are awarded at the sole discretion of the Festival Director.
Pelo ya Rona (Our Heart) Award — Granted annually to an independent African director for the most heartfelt portrayal of the continent and its people. This award champions filmmakers who operate outside commercial constraints to bring experimental and arthouse visions to the screen.
Khutla (Return) Award — Platforms and celebrates the exceptional work of directors from the African Diaspora, honouring filmmakers who navigate themes of return, memory, and global African identity.
2027 winners to be announced
Email: heartlands@theyardbloem.org
Physical Address:
24 Brill Street, Westdene
Bloemfontein, 9301
South Africa
Follow us on Instagram: @heartlandsafrica
Bloemfontein in late April is mild to warm. We recommend:
All screenings are free, and we have curated a selection of refreshments:
We strive to make the festival accessible to everyone.