The Lola Kenya Screen is an annual international audiovisual event that seeks to place production tools in the hands of children and youth for the advancement of literacy, gender equity, self-expression, and democracy in their world. The film festival comprises a production workshop, film exhibition, and an audiovisual media platform for marketing, promoting, and distributing films. Founded in October 2005, Lola Kenya Screen works to equip children and youth with the skills to understand, appreciate, and create quality audiovisual productions in particular and arts in general. The 5th annual event received entries from 35 countries in 33 languages.

The Lola Kenya Screen film festival invites interested international participants to submit quality films to the fifth edition of the annual event that will take place in August 2010. The festival seeks experimental films, television series, video games, and even creatively packaged music videos tackling issues related to children, youth, and family and that provide strong role models to children and youth while speaking positively to children of diverse backgrounds. Selected films are showcased under various categories with those starring children between the ages of 6-13 competing for the Lola Kenya Screen Golden Mboni award for the best children’s film and those featuring children above 14 years competing for the Lola Kenya Screen 14-Plus Prize for the best youth film. The festival showcases films in 10 sections:

• The Golden Mboni Award Competition for the Best Children's Film;
• The 14-Plus Award Competition for the Best Youth Film
• Films by Students;
• Films by Children;
• Films for Youth;
• Eastern Africa Prism;
• Television Series;
• World Panorama;
• Special Focus; and
• 4th Kids For Kids Africa.

In 2010, the Lola Kenya Screen directorate made a provision for pre-schoolers, i.e. 3-6-year-olds in the film programme with a special focus on experimental films and animation. Also introduced in 2010 was a daily media literacy seminar over the entire six days of the festival for what the directorate describes as "sensitising the public, and especially children, on the opportunities and risks inherent in the consumption of modern mass media content."

Lola Kenya Screen accepts films made by children, youth, amateurs, students, and professionals that focus on children, youth, and family. All entries submitted must be suitable for children ages 13 and under, youth aged 14-25 years, or family (25+). Films can be submitted between December 1 2009 and April 15 2010.

Click here to download the application form in PDF format.

Lola Kenya Screen website on November 30 2009; and email from Ogova Ondego to The Communication Initiative on June 14 2010.