KINGDOM
IN THE SKY
Conservation International Film Festival
Heritage, told at altitude.
An annual, rotating festival at the meeting point of heritage conservation and cultural preservation, told through film and storytelling. Inaugurated in 2025 to carry Lesotho's cultural heritage across all ten districts, the 2026 Maseru edition is reimagined: cost-effective, impact-driven, and built to immerse participants in heritage while equipping creatives and conservationists through education, networking and storytelling.
- Position the Creative Cultural Industry as a business sector, and a future.
- Promote conservation as a cultural and economic asset.
- Use film and media as tools for advocacy, education and economic opportunity.
- Connect creatives, conservation actors, policymakers and funders.
- Build local and international visibility for Lesotho's creative and conservation sector.
Heritage, Culture & Film
Historical Walk. A guided walk to selected sites in Maseru, including Sea Point, Makoanyane Square and Vodacom Park. Participants explore Lesotho's history, learn about significant places and events, and discover the stories of the people who came before us. The walk connects film and creative practitioners with the heritage that inspires their work.
Creative Arts Exhibition. An exhibition of Basotho creative work spanning graphic design, fine art, fashion and other disciplines. It shows that the creative industry reaches well beyond film and television, highlighting the breadth of talent in Lesotho's creative economy and encouraging collaboration across sectors.
Film Screenings. Selected local and international films screen as the main feature of the day, giving audiences diverse storytelling and giving filmmakers a platform to show their work.
Creative Industry Symposium & Masterclasses
Creative Industry Symposium. Filmmakers, creatives, industry professionals, government representatives, financial institutions and other stakeholders come together for serious conversation about developing and commercialising Lesotho's creative industry. The focus is moving the sector beyond entertainment, towards a sustainable, professional and commercially viable industry.
Masterclasses. Practical sessions giving creatives knowledge and skills they can apply directly to their careers and businesses, focused on professional practice, business development, branding, financial management and market access.
Film & Television Awards and Networking
Film & Television Awards. The final day celebrates excellence and contribution within Lesotho's film and television industry. Awards go to outstanding films and filmmakers whose work shows creativity, originality and excellence. The festival also honours Film and Television Legends, recognising those who have shaped the industry in Lesotho, including those who are no longer with us.
Networking Session. The festival closes with a session bringing together filmmakers, creatives, investors, institutions and industry professionals to connect, exchange ideas, form partnerships and explore future collaborations within Lesotho's creative economy.
Two doors onto the mountain.
Send your film up the mountain.
Open to filmmakers from any country. Submissions are free.
The mountain has room for you.
Choose how you climb, then leave your details and we'll take it from there. No payment required; the festival is free to join.
What we collect, and why.
KITS-CIFF is organised by GEM Institute in partnership with Mokhabebe Creative Lab. This page explains what happens to the information you give us on this site.
What we collect
Only what you type into the two forms on this site: your name, email address, country, organisation (optional), the days you plan to attend (optional), your message (optional), and, if you are submitting a film, the film title, category, runtime and screener link.
Why we collect it
To process film submissions and festival registrations, to contact you about your submission or attendance, and to plan the festival. We do not sell your information, and we do not share it outside the organising team and its partners.
Where it goes
Submissions are sent to our organising systems and stored in the festival's records, held by GEM Institute. Access is limited to the organising team.
How long we keep it
For the 2026 festival cycle and its reporting, after which records are archived or deleted. If you ask us to remove your details sooner, we will.
Cookies
This site sets no advertising or tracking cookies. The only thing it stores in your browser is a single note recording that you have dismissed the notice below, so it does not reappear on every visit.
Your choices
You can ask to see, correct or delete the information we hold about you at any time. Write to kits@geminstitute.africa or call +266 5103 3028.
Last updated September 2026. This notice will be reviewed before the festival opens.