Hollywood African Cinema Connection Announces 2026 Jury
The film festival reveals its panel of industry experts ahead of upcoming screenings at the Robben Island Museum Amphitheatre.
Updated on Oct. 23, 2026 in Urban
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The Hollywood African Cinema Connection has officially named the members of its 2026 festival jury. This group of industry professionals will oversee the selection of 10 feature films being presented at the Robben Island Museum Amphitheatre.
Why it matters
The festival jury selection brings together diverse voices with expertise in film-making, post-production, writing, criticism, law, and immersive media to shape the cinematic experience. This panel will evaluate a programme where four of the ten featured films are directed by women.
Jury member Louiza Wanjiku brings over 15 years of industry experience, including editing the 2016 FIPRESCI Prize winner Kati Kati. Fellow juror Evette Vargas produced the short film Confessions, which earned an audience award at Cannes.
The players
Louiza Wanjiku
She is an experienced filmmaker and post-production expert who edited the celebrated feature Kati Kati.
Jerry Chiemeke
He is a writer, journalist, film critic, and lawyer who authored the short-story collection Dreaming of Ways to Understand You.
Evette Vargas
She is the co-founder of Indigo Reign Films and a producer of award-winning short-form cinematic content.
The details
The festival features a multi-disciplinary jury including Louiza Wanjiku, Jerry Chiemeke, and Evette Vargas. Chiemeke brings a background in law and journalism, while Vargas serves as a co-founder of Indigo Reign Films.
Timeline
2016: Kati Kati wins the FIPRESCI Prize.
2019: Jerry Chiemeke publishes Notes for Nnedimma.
2020: Jerry Chiemeke publishes Dreaming of Ways to Understand You.
2026: The HACC festival jury is announced and the event takes place.
Industry Dynamics
The festival aligns itself with international standards by incorporating jurors with history at prestigious institutions like the Cannes Film Festival. This curation strategy reflects a broader trend of African film festivals elevating their programming to compete for global attention and prestige.
Film enthusiasts can plan to attend the festival screenings at the Robben Island Museum Amphitheatre to view the selected works. Attendees will have the opportunity to see ten feature films, including those directed by women, within the historic site.
The takeaway
The diverse makeup of this year's jury highlights a shift toward integrating technical mastery with critical perspective in African cinema. Film lovers should keep an eye on the female-directed entries in the programme, which are expected to offer unique cultural insights.
Further reading
Learn more about the local film scene at the South Africa Urban section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by IOL.
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