The inaugural edition of the WoKoVU International Christian Film Festival concluded on Sunday, May 24, 2026, in Lubumbashi, Haut-Katanga Province, following a week of film screenings, artistic encounters, and celebrations of African Christian cinema.
Hosted and officially opened on May 17 at Orion Center for the Arts, the festival also held its closing ceremony at the Center. For several days, the venue became a vibrant space for cultural exchange, spiritual reflection, and the promotion of Christian filmmaking.
One of the highlights of the closing ceremony was the presentation of awards to the filmmakers whose work distinguished this first edition through its artistic quality and spiritual depth. Among the festival’s major honors, the WoKoVU Festival Grand Prize was awarded to filmmaker Aldinhom Kayumba, who was recognized for the impact of his work and his commitment to storytelling through cinema.
Speaking to the press, Héritier Twite The Best, the festival’s founder and organizer, expressed his satisfaction with the impact of the inaugural edition.
“The highlight of the closing ceremony was the presentation of awards to the various winners. It was a moment filled with emotion, joy, and celebration,” he said.
According to him, the WoKoVU Festival responds to a genuine need within the Christian film industry in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
“The festival has had a significant impact on Christian cinema in the Congo, particularly because there are very few festivals of this scale,” he explained.
The event brought together representatives from the cultural, film, and Christian communities through a program featuring screenings, workshops, masterclasses, and artistic discussions designed to encourage and support young African creators.
Regarding the film selection criteria, the organizer explained that the chosen works were expected above all to communicate Christian values while meeting the artistic standards of contemporary cinema.
“The first requirement was that it had to be a Christian film that conveyed Christian values, while also being produced with genuine artistic quality,” said Héritier The Best.
Several innovations are already being considered for future editions, with the aim of expanding the festival’s reach and strengthening its contribution to the development of African Christian cinema.
The WoKoVU Festival is now establishing itself as a new cultural platform dedicated to promoting Christian values, celebrating African culture, and supporting emerging talent in film and audiovisual production.
“WoKoVU is more than a festival—it is a vision. A vision that seeks to demonstrate how African Christian cinema can inspire, educate, transform lives, and carry our culture beyond borders. This first edition is only the beginning.” — Héritier Twite The Best
