Film can bring people together for good
Lesotho International Film Festival
SM&D coordinates the Lesotho International Film Festival and organizes an annual event since 2011, for international film festival, showcasing local and international films. This is to give a platform to young local filmmakers to use film as a tool to share authentic experiences on social, economic and cultural issues affecting them. Each year the festival is hosted under the human rights centered theme ‘Telling African Stories’
We believe we can educate youth through Film.
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LIFF Objectives
Long Term Goal of LIFF
To support the development of a youth driven Film Sector that meaningfully contributes towards socio-economic development in Lesotho by 2030
Objective 1
To provide a credible national platform to recognize and showcase film content addressing authentic socio-cultural and economic human rights related experiences of Basotho people, produced by local film practitioners.
Objective 2
To facilitate an annual exchange program between Lesotho and the world in human rights related film content, culture, skills and experiences; for networking and advancement of standards in the local film sector.
Objective 3
To bring the Film Festival experience to marginalized communities located in the rural and remote areas of Lesotho for them to recognize filmmaking as a career and advocacy tool for change
Master class
1-week (5 days) long MasterClass will be conducted in the capital, Maseru for 20 young local filmmakers. The venue for this activity is going to be at the SM&D Films Resource Centre in the city.
LIFF on the road
The selected films are screened to rural communities in the districts of Maseru, Butha-Buthe, Mafeteng, and Mohales’ Hoek. producers of local films attend the screenings. The films are screened in the evening in open space.
Gallery
🎬 LIFF Submissions 2025
Submit your film for the 15th Lesotho International Film Festival hosted by Sesotho Media & Development (SM&D).
📅 Entries close on 10th October 2025
📌 Submission Requirements
- 🎯 Submissions must incorporate the theme “Telling African Stories”.
- 🎥 Local submissions can be from all genres: Animation, Short Films, Music Videos, Documentaries, Spoken Poetry, etc.
- 🌍 International submissions are limited to Documentaries only (not restricted to the theme).
- 🎬 Selected films will be screened online and at selected venues across Lesotho.
- 🎵 You may use original music or copyright-free/public domain music only.
- 🚫 Films must not depict drug use in a recreational way or include sexual/nude scenes.
- ⏱️ Each submitted film must be at least 120 minutes long.
- 📝 Non-English films must include English subtitles.
- 🧾 Films must be submitted by someone authorized to represent the film.
- ✅ By submitting, you agree to LIFF’s official terms and conditions.
- ⚠️ Last-minute entries will not be considered.
- 📎 The submitter is responsible for ensuring the film meets all requirements.
📩 Questions? Email: socialmedia@sesothomedia.org or WhatsApp: +266 6232 1446