July 17

First Time in Africa: Alternativa Team Heads to Durban

Our team is making its first visit to Africa—the continent that will host the next edition of Alternativa Film Festival. Program Director Natalia Pylaeva and Executive Producer Polina Ovsiannikova will attend the Durban Film Festival to connect with the region's film community.

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  • AFF 2027
  • Distribution
  • AFF 2026
  • Labs

About Us

Alternativa is a global non-profit initiative that supports and promotes filmmakers from the Global South whose work has the potential to bring positive change to the world. Our mission is to amplify the international visibility of impact-driven talents and help their films reach global audiences. By championing stories that make a difference, we bridge regional divides, empower local communities, and contribute to meaningful social transformation.

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  • Festival

    To honor and celebrate impactful cinema

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    Festival

  • Distribution

    To help impactful films reach global audiences

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    Screenings

  • Labs

    To empower filmmakers in bringing impactful stories to life

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    Labs

ABOUT inDRIVE

inDrive helps bring fairness and impact to the film industry, supporting filmmakers across the Global South in sharing their stories globally.

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ALTERNATIVA FILM FESTIVAL

An alternative system for recognizing filmmakers from the Global South, enabling their work to reach broad and diverse audiences and build bridges across regions. We honor films that bring positive change to the world and society. The Alternativa Film Festival is nomadic and moves to a new focus region with each edition.

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Our winners

How it was

The third Alternativa Film Festival took place in Medellín, Colombia, in April 2026, presenting impact-driven films from Latin America and Asia.

DISCOVER AFF 2026

Alternativa Film labs

Free tailored education, mentoring, and networking for filmmakers who want to amplify their project’s impact, expand their audience, and tell important stories that haven’t been screened yet.

DISCOVER LABS

November 2025-February 2026, Central Asia

IMPACT DISTRIBUTION LAB 2025

The Lab brings together filmmakers and changemakers to design impact strategies that connect socially-driven films with the audiences who need them most. Together, they will explore new environments and formats for screening and distribution and develop innovative approaches to presenting and discussing stories. 

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Sep 6–9, Bali, Indonesia

JUST FUTURES IMPACT STORY LAB

This lab is designed for storymakers from Southeast Asia, focused on creating narratives that envision a just and equitable future for the region. It will provide a space for listening, learning, and solidarity, where participants can share strategies and experiences.

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Latest news

ALL NEWS

LabsAsia

And the Trees Danced Below on NOWNESS ASIA

A short film created in Alternativa Teen Lab 2024 in Tashkent, is now streaming on NOWNESS ASIA, one of the region's leading platforms for visual storytelling.

19 July 2026

AfricaAFF 2027

First Time in Africa: Alternativa Team Heads to Durban

Our team is making its first visit to Africa—the continent that will host the next edition of Alternativa Film Festival.

17 July 2026

Distribution

Alternativa Distribution Launched

Our new non-profit distribution label will help impactful films from the Global South reach audiences around the world to shift perspectives and inspire change.

15 July 2026