Namibia’s largest event celebrating stage and screen is making a comeback after six years of silence, marking a new wave of momentum in the nation’s creative sector.
The Namibian Theatre and Film Awards (NTFAs) will take place this weekend under the theme “A New Season: A Celebration of Transition, Resilience and Growth”, marking the revival of a platform dedicated to recognising achievements in theatre and film.
According to Desiree Mentor, public relations officer at the National Theatre of Namibia, the awards were paused largely due to disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “ During that period, creative production slowed down significantly as artists could not rehearse, film or stage performances in the usual way,” she said.
Mentor noted that the creative industry only began to recover around 2023, as theatre productions and film activity gradually resumed. “Since then, we have seen renewed activity, with more theatre productions and films being created again. This made 2026 the right moment to revive the Namibian Theatre and Film Awards and celebrate the work that has been produced in recent years,” she added. The revived awards will assess productions created between 2019 and 2025 and introduce new categories, such as dance and web series, reflecting the evolving nature of Namibia’s performing arts landscape.
Mentor said the expansion of categories recognises the increasing diversity of creative expression within the sector.
“The expansion reflects the growth and diversification of Namibia’s creative industry over the past few years. Theatre and film productions involve many people both on stage and behind the scenes, and it is important that these contributions are recognised,” she said.
She added that dance was introduced because it is a key performing arts genre in theatre, noting that the awards could include additional disciplines in future editions as the industry continues to grow.
The return of the awards comes at a time when Namibia’s film sector is also showing signs of growth. According to the Namibian Film Commission, this year’s Film Week 2026 received more than 650 submissions, with 159 films selected for screening, including 64 Namibian productions.
Nicole Muranda, media officer in the commission’s division at the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology, said the figures reflect growing confidence among local filmmakers.
“Namibia’s film industry is still relatively young and developing compared to many African countries with longer-established film ecosystems. However, the 64 local submissions indicate industry growth, productivity, confidence, passion and ambition among Namibian filmmakers,” she said. Muranda noted that increased local film production helps improve quality, experience and competitiveness within the sector.
The festival programme also includes industry workshops covering production budgeting, taxation, marketing and publicity, aimed at equipping filmmakers with business and technical skills needed to sustain careers in the industry.
“While creativity is the foundation of filmmaking, sustainability in the industry increasingly depends on strong business and technical skills,” Muranda said.
She added that marketing and publicity remain key gaps in the local industry, as many films are completed without clear strategies for audience reach, festival submissions or distribution.
The festival also features youth storytelling initiatives such as the Mosaic Film Experience and Learn On One Namibia programme, which the commission says help introduce young people to filmmaking and develop the next generation of storytellers. Among the films expected to attract attention is the documentary Hendrik Witbooi: God from Heaven Has Now Broken the Treaty, which has already gained international recognition.
Muranda said historically focused documentaries play an important role in strengthening Namibia’s cinematic identity and deepening public engagement with the country’s past.
“These types of documentaries strengthen our cinematic identity and deepen public engagement with the country’s past,” she said. With many screenings and workshops open to the public free of charge, organisers hope the festival will not only support filmmakers but also cultivate audiences who actively engage with local cinema.
-isipunga@nepc.com.na