3rd edition
3–24 December 2026. The call for films is closed. The programme follows later.
About the 3rd editionAbout the festival
Fankeenna started the festival in August 2023. Hargeisa has had no commercial or professional cinema since the 1980s, and many of our guests watch a film on a big screen with other people for the first time. We show films about the issues that shape our lives, so the audience can reflect, talk them through together and find ways to act for a better society. We also give Somali filmmakers a screen and a home audience.
A festival by Fankeenna
Fankeenna is a youth-led creative space in Hargeisa. Young artists come here every day to make work, show it and learn from each other, and anyone can walk in for free. The film festival is one of the ways Fankeenna brings that work to a wider audience.
The house has a gallery, a production studio, an audio room, a library and ateliers. Through the year Fankeenna runs Open Mic nights, the Shaah iyo Shaxan podcast, exhibitions and workshops in film, photography, drawing and design.
Entertain
Educate
Engage
Empower
Editions
Workshops and talks
On several days the festival opens with a short workshop for young creatives, students and volunteers: storytelling, mental health, art as advocacy and the basics of film production.
In 2025 our partners YEEL, Siraad Initiative and Sirta Maanka ran five workshops on youth empowerment, art therapy and women's leadership.
THE PEOPLE BEHIND THE CURTAIN
Volunteers run the festival with us. Join the team for the 3rd edition
Partners
Movies that Matter has supported both editions. In 2025 their grant paid for the venue, equipment, volunteers, communication and filming.
Want to support the next edition? Write to info@fankeenna.com.
