Open call: Fak’ugesi Festival 2026 awards programme

The festival is scheduled to take place from 13 to 17 October and will be held under the theme African Imaginaries, which will explore the relationship between African culture, science and technology.

According to organisers, the festival has broadened its scope beyond its traditional focus on gaming, animation and immersive technologies to include scientific research, emerging technologies and innovation-driven disciplines.

The programme is expected to bring together participants from a range of sectors, including technology, science, entrepreneurship and the creative industries, with activities focused on showcasing projects and developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, climate technology, data science and digital arts.

Applications are currently open for the 2026 awards programme, with organisers inviting submissions from individuals and companies across Africa.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Applicants must be aged 18 or older.
• Applicants must reside in an African country.
• Submitted work must be original and created by the applicant.
• Projects must be fully completed and previously presented publicly.
• Applications may only be submitted in one category.
• Submitted work must have been created between the present period and 2025.
• Projects involving jointly owned intellectual property rights must include written consent from all rights holders.
• Applications are open to both individuals and companies.

Applicants can apply here before 31 May.

Further information and application criteria are available on Fak'ugesi official website.

View the original call here.