Juba Film Festival

JFF was founded by Simon Bingo,α a South Sudanese filmmaker who first learned about movies through FilmAid while living in Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya.

[5][1][6] Bingo has said he founded JFF to promote South Sudanese culture beyond its war-torn image[1][7][8] and to share local stories,[9] including films about social issues that would not be allowed on the government TV channel.

[6][13] The festival premiered in July 2016 and featured 31 films screened in various locations including the Nyakuron Cultural Center and the University of Juba.

[19] The winning film, entitled Waja Ta Jena (Pain of a Child), tells the story of a girl who drops out of school after becoming pregnant.

[9][25][20] Screenings are held at multiple venues including university buildings, hotels, restaurants, and football fields,[10][7][3] and the awards ceremony typically occurs at the Nyakuron Cultural Center.