2026 Fashion Film Competition

Every thread
holds a story.

Create a fashion film that traces the origins, living memory, and future of an indigenous African textile, garment, or technique.

Begin your application Discover the theme

Grand prize^$25,000For the winning vision

Stories of Rebirth - Threads of Africa 2026

Scroll to unravel

Origins✦Memory✦Identity✦Rebirth✦ Origins✦Memory✦Identity✦Rebirth✦

The story we are telling

Stories of Rebirth

Look back.
Move culture forward.

Across Africa, textiles are more than fabric. They are archives: carrying histories, beliefs, innovations, and identities from one generation to the next.

Threads of Africa invites fashion filmmakers, designers, cultural storytellers, and creative teams to uncover those origins and reimagine their place in the present. Your film should honour the custodians of these traditions while showing how heritage can be renewed, protected, and carried forward.

Traditional loom with colourful threads — 01 / The making

Map of African textiles — 02 / The origin

African fabric patterns — 03 / The future

The invitation

“Tell us where the thread began, who kept it alive, and where you will take it next.”

Your lens can become a bridge between generations. Make a film rooted in research, collaboration, and cultural respect.

Tell your story

Your journey

From origin
to screen.

A strong application is not only visually compelling. It demonstrates care, curiosity, and a clear plan for engaging the people and histories behind the textile.

Choose a thread

Select an indigenous textile, garment, or technique with a story worth carrying forward.

Trace its origins

Engage custodians, elders, artisans, archives, and communities with respect and intention.

Reimagine its future

Shape a fashion-film concept that connects cultural memory to a bold vision of rebirth.

Submit your vision

Complete the application, references, declarations, and required supporting documents.

Who should apply

Open call

For creators who see heritage as a living force.

Fashion filmmakers, designers, directors, artists, researchers, and cultural storytellers.

Individuals and multidisciplinary teams with an original, research-led fashion film proposal.

Applicants prepared to credit collaborators and cultural custodians, and secure all required rights.

Creators able to provide two professional references and verification documents.

Applications open

Weave your idea
into motion.

Complete every section. Your information is confidential and used solely for participant selection and verification.

One winning vision$25,000

Grand prize to help bring the selected story to life and carry African fashion heritage forward.

01 / 08Applicant information

Tell us who you are and how we can reach you.

Full name * Date of birth * Nationality * Country of residence * Contact email * Phone number * Preferred language of communication *

02 / 08Team information

Complete this section if you are applying as a team.

Team nameLead applicant

Team members

No team members added yet. Individual applicants can leave this section empty.

03 / 08Professional background

Show us the experience and perspective you bring.

Current occupation / role * Affiliated organization / institution Relevant experience in fashion, film, or cultural storytelling *0 / 200 words Portfolio, website, or social media links

04 / 08Project proposal

Describe the story you intend to uncover and how you will tell it.

Selected indigenous textile, garment, or technique * Brief description of your proposed fashion film *0 / 300 words Intended approach to story origins, including interviews with custodians, elders, or artisans * How will your film contribute to the theme “Stories of Rebirth”? *0 / 150 words If awarded, how will you use the prize funds to further your work, support your community, or sustain African fashion heritage? *0 / 250 words

05 / 08Professional references

Provide two non-family professionals who have known you for at least one year.

Reference 1

Name *Relationship to you * Organization / position *Email * Phone *How long have they known you? * In what capacity have you worked together? *

Reference 2

Name *Relationship to you * Organization / position *Email * Phone *How long have they known you? * In what capacity have you worked together? *

06 / 08Physical workspace

Not having a store, studio, or office does not disqualify your application.

Do you have a physical work store, studio, or office? * Name of store / studio / officeFacility type Address, including city and country Website or social media link Activities conducted at this location

07 / 08Checks & declarations

Please read each statement carefully before accepting.

I consent to identity, credential, and professional-history background checks for this competition. I confirm I have not been convicted of fraud, intellectual property theft, or an offence that may impact eligibility. I authorize Threads of Africa to contact my references. I declare that all information provided is true and accurate. I will submit original work and credit all collaborators and cultural custodians. I agree to competition rules, including intellectual property and content usage policies. I am responsible for ensuring all submitted content is original or properly licensed, and indemnify Elevate Africa and Threads of Africa against infringement claims. I grant Elevate Africa a non-exclusive, royalty-free worldwide licence to use and promote my submitted content, with a 50/50 split of attributable net direct commercial revenue.

08 / 08Sign & submit

Attach the required documents, sign your application, and send it for review.

Government-issued ID *PDF, JPG, PNG, DOC, or DOCX · Max 10MB Supporting documentCV, portfolio, or letter of support · Max 10MB Signature: full legal name * Signature date *

Ready to submit?

You will not be able to edit this application after submission. Please review each section using the progress menu.

Every threadholds a story.

Look back.Move culture forward.

From originto screen.