FAME Week Africa has officially announced the return of the Inclusive Lens Awards 2026, continuing its mission to celebrate diversity, authentic representation and transformative storytelling across the global film and television industry.
The pioneering awards platform shines a spotlight on creators, storytellers and industry changemakers who are pushing boundaries and creating content that reflects the richness and complexity of human experiences. As conversations around inclusion and representation continue to shape global entertainment, the Inclusive Lens Awards aim to elevate voices that have often been overlooked.
Martin Hiller, Portfolio Director at FAME Week Africa, says the initiative is about more than recognition.
“The Inclusive Lens Awards recognise the creators and changemakers who are not only telling these stories, but reshaping the industry in the process. Africa has a powerful role to play in this global shift, and these awards are about ensuring those voices are seen, heard and valued,”.
says Hiller
The awards are proudly powered by EarCandy, Africa’s leading content localisation provider, known for connecting African stories with global audiences in more than 30 mother tongue languages across the continent.
As a 100% African-owned media localisation company with over 15 years of expertise, EarCandy provides a wide range of services including translation, dubbing, subtitling, voice-over, creative post-production, metadata creation and content packaging. The company has worked across documentaries, educational content, animation, telenovelas and feature films, helping preserve cultural authenticity while making content accessible to wider audiences.
Louise Callcott-Stevens, CEO of EarCandy, says the partnership aligns with the company’s passion for championing underrepresented voices.
“EarCandy, the world’s leading content localisation provider in Africa, is proud to support the Inclusive Lens Awards at this year’s FAME Week Africa. We are passionate about championing authentic African stories, uplifting underrepresented voices and driving meaningful change across the industry.”
She adds that storytelling has the power to inspire meaningful social impact while ensuring African narratives receive global recognition and respect.
Call for Entries Now Open
Submissions for the Inclusive Lens Awards 2026 are officially open, with creators, producers and industry professionals encouraged to submit projects that champion diversity, equity and inclusion in film and television.
Key Dates
- Submissions Deadline: Friday, 13 July 2026
- Finalists Announced: Monday, 31 August 2026
- Awards Ceremony: Thursday, 29 October 2026
The awards recognise excellence across several categories focused on meaningful representation, including:
- Best LGBTQ+ Representation (Film and Series, scripted and unscripted)
- Best Disability Representation (Film and Series, scripted and unscripted)
- Best DEI Representation in Kids Programming (Pre-school and Older Kids)
- Unseen Impact Award for behind-the-scenes changemakers advancing diversity, equity and inclusion
Celebrating Previous Winners
The 2026 edition follows a successful 2025 awards season that celebrated standout productions from across Africa and beyond.
Among the previous winners were Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes in the pre-school category and Nigeria’s Iyanu for older kids programming. Other recognised productions included Facing Forward, Everybody Loves Touda, Diepe Waters, Onthou Vi Fredo?, Nyame Mma, This Body Works For Me and She, He, They.
The prestigious Unseen Impact Award was awarded to Karen Jeynes for her work in advancing accessibility and inclusive storytelling within the screen industry.
A Platform Driving Change
As African film and television content continues gaining international recognition, the Inclusive Lens Awards remain an important platform for promoting equitable representation and ensuring diverse perspectives are celebrated on screen.
The initiative reinforces FAME Week Africa’s commitment to building a more inclusive global entertainment industry while empowering African creatives to lead conversations around identity, culture and social impact.
For more information about FAME Week Africa and the Inclusive Lens Awards, visit fameweekafrica.com
