​About RTF

​FESTIVAL OVERVIEW

Details of festival submission and participation over the years:

RTF 2016 (Theme: EMOTIONS)
September 29th – October 3rd, 2016
800 submissions from 80 countries (60 Films were screened).
Overall Participation via registration: 1,512
(Physical attendance of 871)
Participation: 1,500 (During the peak showcase at the African Shrine)

RTF 2017 (Theme: HUMANITY)
June 24th – July 1st, 2017
1,350 submissions from 162 countries (93 films were screened).
Overall Participation via registration: 7,812
(Physical attendance of 1,786)

RTF 2018 (Theme: STORIES THAT TOUCH)
June 24th – June 30th, 2018
1,123 submissions from 154 countries (134 films were screened).
Overall Participation via registration: 9,890
(Physical attendance of 1,432)

RTF 2019 (Theme: RELENTLESS)
June 23rd – June 30th, 2019
1,105 submissions from 151 countries (104 films screened).
Overall Participation via registration: 10,200
(Physical attendance of 1,609)

RTF 2020 (Theme: HUMANITY CAN)
April 7th – April 15th, 2020
1,300 submissions from 28 countries (116 films screened).
Virtual Participation (ONLINE): 16,456

RTF 2021 (Theme: ACE)
July 20th – July 25th, 2021
2,895 submissions from 31 countries (93 films screened).
Overall Participation via registration (HYBRID): 7,600
(Physical attendance of 603)

RTF 2022 (Theme: MOMENTS IN TIME)
August 19th – August 27th, 2022
3,0005 submissions from 92 countries (200 films to be screened in physical locations and virtually).
Overall Participation via registration: 10,384
(Physical attendance of 2,700)
 
RTF 2023 – UNITED KINGDOM (Theme: EVOLVE)
September 30th – October 7th, 2023
2800 submissions from 87 countries (80 films to be screened in physical locations and virtually)
Overall Participation via registration: 4,796
(Anticipated Physical attendance: 1,000)


RTF is an independent film festival, funded privately by the founder of the festival; Stanley Ohikhuare. The festival is a favourite among young and emerging filmmakers who are hungry for knowledge and seek a platform for expression. These young people form 80% of our participants each year. We also host, and showcase the films of established filmmakers whose films have won global awards at prestigious film festivals such as Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, and more. We also welcome film enthusiasts to come and interface directly with the entertainment industry.

RTF relies on partnership and collaboration to thrive. Over the years we have enjoyed support from various entities including Cinemas, Hotels, Restaurants, Event Centres, and TV/Radio Companies who have offered media partnerships to give us mileage and visibility. Our brand has been established through the support of these entities.
The responsibility of hosting each edition of the festival, however, rests on a team of relentless people who work voluntarily to curate unforgettable experiences. These experiences have shaped the perception of RTF through the years.
From those who came on board to activate our very first edition in 2016, to many others who have come on board in subsequent years, RTF owes its success to each and every team member who has volunteered their time and intellect to the building of this amazing festival that is curated by filmmakers, for filmmakers!
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We contribute immensely to the entertainment Ecosystem in our host economy, and have been responsible for kick-starting the careers of over 150 young filmmakers; many of whom now have their films showing on big streaming platforms such as Netflix and Amazon. We contribute to the economies of our host cities in the following ways: 

• Free Training and Workshops 
•Profitable Youth Engagement
• Free Industry Sessions with professionals
• Film Screenings and Conversations 
• Tourism Boost 
• Cultural Immersion & Export 
• Trade, Procurement, and exchange 
• Employment Boost
• Film Co-production partnerships
• Exposure for emerging filmmakers

Stanlee Ohikhuare - Founder, RTF