Aasvoëls triumphs at FAME Shorts Film Festival 2026
Aasvoëls (Vultures) has taken top honours at the fourth annual FAME Shorts Film Festival Awards, winning Best Short Film and three additional awards in a ceremony celebrating outstanding filmmaking talent from Africa and around the world. The film’s four wins included Best Screenplay for Dian Weys, Best Actor for Edwin van der Walt and Best Supporting Actress for Jill Levenberg, making it the most awarded production of the evening.
Held as part of FAME Week Africa 2026, the awards recognised achievements across 17 categories, with Everything Between Us and APART also among the night’s major winners. Powered by VIVA NATION TV SHORTZ, this year’s FAME Shorts Film Festival brings together 36 films from 13 countries and territories, with a programme featuring two World Premieres, ten African Premieres, six South African Premieres and eight Cape Town Premieres.
Everything Between Us secured three awards, winning Best LGBTQ+ Film, Best Cinematography for Jason Prins and Best Editing for Shelby Ncube. The film was one of the most recognised productions of the evening, reflecting the festival’s emphasis on both storytelling and technical excellence. APART also made its mark, with Pola Maneli receiving Best Director and Black Coffee and Jamute taking home Best Use of Music.
The acting awards saw Lauren Joseph named Best Actress for her performance in ‘n Poppy op die Heuwel, while David Sherwood won Best Supporting Actor for The Man, The Cliff and The Dog. Behind the camera, Shylet Ndarambwa received Best Production Design for God Sleeps on Sundays, while Lungile Themba and Tshepang Mofokeng won Best Costume Design for Sikelela: The Enoch Sontonga Story. Jette Krause was awarded Best Makeup & Styling for Burning Lies.
The festival also celebrated documentary filmmaking and emerging talent, with Dears in the Headlights winning Best Documentary and It’s Just a Movie receiving Best Student Film. Colours of Dreams was recognised for Best Movie Poster.
Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director of FAME Week Africa, said the results demonstrated the strength and range of talent represented at this year’s festival.
What’s exciting about this year’s winners is the quality of filmmaking across every category. From the performances and writing to the cinematography, music and production design, we’re seeing exceptional work from filmmakers who are bringing fresh perspectives to the screen. Short films play an important role in developing talent and introducing new voices to the industry. Through FAME Shorts, we’re able to recognise that work while connecting filmmakers to the broader film and television industry through FAME Week Africa.
“Congratulations to all our winners and nominees. We want these awards to be a stepping stone for filmmakers, helping their work reach new audiences and creating opportunities for what comes next.”
Now in its fourth edition, the festival continues to attract filmmakers from across Africa and international markets. The 2026 selection includes productions from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, Brazil, Cuba, China and Germany, with several films having previously screened at internationally recognised festivals including Sundance, Tribeca and Rotterdam.
The festival’s partnership with VIVA NATION TV SHORTZ supports its focus on independent cinema and the development of short-form filmmaking. Alternativa Film Festival also joined the 2026 edition as a supporting partner.
Following the awards ceremony, the FAME Shorts Film Festival continues at The Rockefeller Hotel in Cape Town until 1 November, with nine screening blocks across five themed collections exploring identity, imagination, resilience, culture and the human experience.
FAME SHORTS FILM FESTIVAL 2026 – FULL LIST OF WINNERS
| Award Category | Winner |
| Best Short Film | Aasvoëls (Vultures) |
| Best Director | Pola Maneli – APART |
| Best Screenplay | Dian Weys – Aasvoëls |
| Best Actor | Edwin van der Walt – Aasvoëls |
| Best Actress | Lauren Joseph – ‘n Poppy op die Heuwel |
| Best Supporting Actor | David Sherwood – The Man, The Cliff and The Dog |
| Best Supporting Actress | Jill Levenberg – Aasvoëls |
| Best Cinematography | Jason Prins – Everything Between Us |
| Best Editing | Shelby Ncube – Everything Between Us |
| Best Production Design | Shylet Ndarambwa – God Sleeps on Sundays |
| Best Costume Design | Lungile Themba and Tshepang Mofokeng – Sikelela: The Enoch SontongaStory |
| Best Makeup & Styling | Jette Krause – Burning Lies |
| Best Use of Music | Black Coffee and Jamute – APART |
| Best LGBTQ+ Film | Everything Between Us |
| Best Documentary | Dears in the Headlights |
| Best Student Film | It’s Just a Movie |
| Best Movie Poster | Colours of Dreams |
