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Elevate Africa has officially opened applications for the Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize 2026, a pan-African initiative aimed at preserving the continent’s rich textile heritage through fashion and film.
The competition brings together fashion, culture, and storytelling, and invites designers, filmmakers, students, and creative teams from Africa and the diaspora to participate.
According to a statement issued in Lusaka on Saturday, participants were expected to document and reimagine endangered or forgotten African textiles, garments, and traditional techniques through short fashion films.
The announcement comes as African fashion gains global recognition, even as many indigenous textiles and craftsmanship traditions remain at risk due to inadequate investment, limited infrastructure, and declining transmission of traditional skills.
With the 2026 edition themed “Stories of Rebirth,” the initiative seeks to reposition African fashion as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, economic development, and sustainable creative industry growth, said Project Lead Princess-Iman Sado.
“Threads of Africa Fashion Film Prize is more than a competition; it is a movement to reclaim our narratives and revive our traditions,” Sado stated.
He said participants were expected to produce a three-to-five-minute fashion micro-film that explores the story of an endangered African textile, garment, or production technique.
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“It is our way of weaving a stronger and better connected Africa, outlining the programme’s broader vision,” Sado said.
He added that entries should combine documentary-style storytelling with visual documentation of the creative process while demonstrating the cultural significance and economic potential of reviving the featured tradition.
“For the 2026 edition, organisers have significantly increased the prize pool, with up to $25,000 in non-dilutive grants to be awarded to outstanding participants,” Sado confirmed.
Beyond financial support, winners will benefit from mentorship opportunities and international visibility through a dedicated showcase during Elevate Africa’s 2026 Convening in Ghana.
Organisers say the expanded programme is designed to strengthen intra-African collaboration, stimulate policy conversations around the creative economy, and contribute to building a more integrated and globally competitive African fashion industry.
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