Cape Town wins two titles at World Travel Awards Africa 2026

From October 30 to November 2, 2026, the Hollywood African Cinema Connection (HACC) will make a triumphant return to Cape Town for its third edition. This year's festival will be held at various venues, including the V&A Waterfront and Robben Island. The theme for the event is "Our Land, Our Heritage," showcasing a carefully selected lineup of top African and Middle Eastern films.

Weaam Williams, the festival's Creative Director, award-winning filmmaker, and co-founder of the African Film DAO, emphasizes the importance of understanding the historical context of a former political prison while preserving the memories associated with it. Williams states that the festival's streamlined approach caters to professionals, audiences, buyers, and talent seekers who appreciate a high standard of cinematic excellence.

HACC prides itself on being impartial, focusing on the quality of the work rather than the names attached to the projects. Several films that have previously premiered at prestigious international festivals will have their African debuts at HACC 2026. Williams' own groundbreaking film, "Two Hues," which she wrote, co-directed, and starred in, made history in 2020 as Africa's first short film project to be funded through Non-Fungible Tokens (NFTs).

The success of "Two Hues" led to the creation of the African Film DAO, which sets the stage for HACC 2026's emphasis on alternative capital. The 2026 edition of HACC is a significant milestone for the continent's creative economy, integrating fintech, smart contracts, and DAO governance into the cinematic landscape.