Sudan International Animation Festival - Apedemak

Event Description:

There are more than 324 international animation festivals in more than 77 countries around the world. These include three Arab countries; Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, and six African countries. Despite its culture, history and diversity Sudan is not one of them. Due to the lack of awareness about the significance of animation in Sudan, as it is considered as a recreational work intended only for children.

Who is APEDEMAK?
Apedemak was a lion-headed warrior god worshipped by the Kushite mainly inhabiting Meroe Island. Apedemak is usually depicted as a man with a lion head but like in the temple of Naqa, Apedemak was depicted as a three-headed leonine god with four arms and as a snake with a lion head. Apedemak was considered the war god of Kush. The Kushite believed that Apedemak brought victories to their armies and defeated their enemies. When the Kushite king carried out military campaigns, they often claimed the support and companionship of Apedemak. That is why we chose this god as a successful symbol of the festival.

Vision:

To fight ugliness with art, despair with colors, and pessimism with beauty.

Goals:

• Establish an international Sudanese animation festival that captures attention and spreads the culture of animation locally.
• Discover and encourage talent, fostering creativity that will lead to producing films carrying Sudan’s name worldwide.
• Cultivate a culture of animated cinema and build a critical relationship with it.

Founder: Ibrahim Sayed

Director: Atiyat Abdelrahim

2026 Call for Entries (Archive)

• All submissions must be animated in any form of animation.
• Films must be short (under 40 minutes).
• Films must have been produced after January 1, 2023.

Awards:

• Apedemak Lion Award for Best Film.
• Best Women’s Rights Film Award.
• Best Children’s Rights Film Award.
• Best Human Rights and Peace Film Award.
• Audience Award – “Most Engaging Film.”
• Special Jury Commendation Award.

• Submission Form
• Deadline: 25 February 2026
  

NB: 2027 Festival Dates are tentative