2011 AiM Film Festival calls for entries

The festival aims to provide an opportunity for African filmmakers to showcase their work and to gain exposure to an audience in the UK. AiM is looking for representations for, by and about children and young people in the rural areas and the urban centres of Africa. African directors making children's films (including animation studios) are encouraged to submit their films to Africa in Motion for showcasing at the festival.

Wide interpretation of theme

The theme of children and youth is interpreted widely, and submissions dealing with any aspects relating to children and youth in Africa; examples include education, entertainment, popular and youth culture (including music, fashion, sport etc.), stories, myths and fairytales, toys, animation, games, the future, as well as children's responsibilities, freedom and rights; also issues affecting children in Africa such as child labour, child soldiers, circumcision, rites of passage etc, are welcome.

Submissions should explore the theme from historical, traditional as well as contemporary perspectives. Submissions should address these themes with creativity and innovation; films which celebrate the rich cultural diversity of Africa while at the same time avoiding the exoticism that Africa so often falls victim to.

The deadline for entries is 31 May 2011. A team of African film specialists will select the films to be included in the programme and these will be announced by the end of August 2011. For full submission guidelines and to download the entry form, go to www.africa-in-motion.org.uk/callforentries.

African filmmakers are also invited to submit short films of no longer than 30 minutes for Africa in Motion's annual short film competition, to which a cash prize is attached.

Targeting young, emerging talent

The competition specifically targets young and emerging African film talent; filmmakers who enter must not have completed a feature-length film previously. Short films submissions of all themes and of all genres (including fiction, documentary, animation and experimental work) completed in 2009 or later, may be entered. The short film competition aims to nurture and support young and new filmmakers from all over the continent in the knowledge that making films can be a real challenge and we hope that the prize will be invested in future projects by the filmmaker.

A shortlist from all the entries will be announced by the end of August 2011. The competition winner will be chosen by a high profile jury of local and international film specialists and established African filmmakers and will be announced during the festival (27 October to 6 November 2011).

All shortlisted films will be screened at the festival. In addition to the overall winner selected by the jury there will be an audience choice award announced at an awards ceremony at the end of the festival in November 2011.

The deadline for short film competition entries is 15 May 2011. For full submission guidelines and to download the entry form, go to www.africa-in-motion.org.uk/shortfilmcomp.