Overview
The Lake of Stars Malawi Arts Festival is Malawi's leading arts and culture festival. The 22nd edition runs October 2-4, 2026, at Fish Eagle Bay Lodge, Sani, Mbalame Village, Nkhotakota, on the shores of Lake Malawi. Founded in 2004 by Will Jameson, the festival has grown into one of Africa's most recognized cultural events, attracting thousands of attendees from across the continent and beyond.
The 2026 edition is held under the theme "Festivals with Purpose - Inspire, Connect, Invest, Celebrate." The festival program spans music (live bands, DJs, amapiano, afro-beats, jazz, rap, RnB), film screenings, poetry, storytelling, fashion, visual arts, crafts, cuisine, workshops, and masterclasses. Sustainability and responsible waste management remain central to all festival activities, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Lake of Stars is a multidisciplinary arts festival, not a dedicated film festival. Film is one programming strand alongside music, fashion, poetry, and visual arts. The festival does not have a competitive film section or a formal film submission process. Film screenings are curated as part of the broader program, typically presenting Malawian and African cinema alongside international selections.
The festival returns to Fish Eagle Bay in Nkhotakota for the third consecutive time in 2026. The venue is a beachside location on Lake Malawi's shoreline, turning Nkhotakota into a cultural destination during the festival weekend. The 2025 edition featured performers including The Big Five Band, Keturah, Driemo, Amahoro Drummers from Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Dowa, and Tamba Africa.
Program and Sections
2026 Program:
- Music - live bands, DJs, amapiano, afro-beats, jazz, rap, RnB
- Film - film screenings (curated, non-competitive)
- Poetry and Storytelling - spoken word and oral traditions
- Fashion - fashion showcases
- Visual Arts - waste and visual arts exhibitions
- Crafts and Cuisine - local crafts and culinary experiences
- Workshops and Masterclasses - skills development sessions
- Sustainability Programming - responsible waste management and SDG-aligned activities
Satellite Events:
- Day of Ideas Youth Festival - October 1, 2026, focusing on youth development, leadership, creativity, and skills
- Khalani O Masuka Community Guest Experience - visitors stay with local families in Nkhotakota, providing authentic lakeshore experiences and additional income for host households
- Winter Warm Up Pop Up Series - pre-festival events bringing together live music, spoken word, comedy, dance, food, visual art, and local businesses
What Filmmakers Should Know
For Malawian filmmakers: Lake of Stars is the most prominent cultural platform in Malawi that includes film in its programming. While it is not a dedicated film festival, the festival's large audience and international media coverage provide exposure that dedicated film events in Malawi cannot match. Contact the festival organizers directly for screening inquiries.
For African filmmakers: The festival's Pan-African programming approach means films from across the continent can find a place in the program. The festival's theme of cultural exchange creates a context where African cinema is valued as part of a broader cultural dialogue.
For filmmakers addressing environmental or sustainability themes: The festival's commitment to sustainability and the SDGs creates a specific programming niche for films dealing with environmental issues, freshwater ecology, and climate. Lake Malawi provides a relevant backdrop for films on these topics.
On the festival format: Lake of Stars is an arts and culture festival, not a film industry event. There is no film market, no industry accreditation, no pitch sessions, and no competitive film categories. For industry-focused African film events, consider FESPACO, Durban International Film Festival, or Zanzibar International Film Festival.
Festival History
Lake of Stars was founded in 2004 by Will Jameson at Chintheche Inn in Nkhata Bay. The festival has been hosted at multiple venues over its 22-year history, including Kachere Castle in Nkhata Bay, Kabumba Hotel in Salima, Sunbird Livingstonia in Salima, and Sunbird Nkopola in Mangochi, before settling at Fish Eagle Bay in Nkhotakota for the 2024, 2025, and 2026 editions.
The festival is organized by Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (Dope). Over two decades, it has grown from a small lakeside music event into one of Africa's leading arts and culture festivals, earning international recognition for its role in promoting Malawian arts, fostering cultural exchange, and attracting global audiences to the country.
The festival has expanded its programming beyond the main October event to include the Day of Ideas Youth Festival, the Khalani O Masuka Community Guest Experience, and the Winter Warm Up Pop Up Series. These satellite events extend the festival's impact across the year and across different communities in Malawi.
The festival's commitment to sustainability and community engagement has been a consistent thread throughout its history. The Khalani O Masuka program creates direct economic benefit for host families in Nkhotakota, while the Day of Ideas Youth Festival invests in young Malawian talent.
Practical Information
- 2026 dates: October 2-4, 2026
- Location: Fish Eagle Bay Lodge, Sani, Mbalame Village, Nkhotakota, Malawi
- Day of Ideas Youth Festival: October 1, 2026
- Tickets: Early Bird tickets available in Malawi until July 31; subsequent ticket releases announced closer to the festival
- Accommodation: Khalani O Masuka Community Guest Experience (homestays with local families) and lodge accommodation at Fish Eagle Bay
- Film programming: Curated, non-competitive; contact festival organizers for screening inquiries
- Website: lakeofstars.org
Past Winners
Lake of Stars is a multidisciplinary arts festival, not a competitive film festival. It does not award juried film prizes. Film screenings are curated as part of the broader program alongside music, fashion, poetry, and visual arts. There is no formal film competition, no film jury, and no film awards.
The festival does give recognition to performing artists. The 2025 edition featured over 120 acts, with approximately 80% Malawian performers. Headliners included Driemo, Keturah, Madalitso Band, and South African DJ Lady Amar. The 2024 edition (20th anniversary) featured Sho Madjozi as the regional headliner.
The 2026 edition announced local headliners including Madalitso Band, Driemo, Gasper Nali, and DJ Surboowfer, plus African headliners Sho Madjozi, Mumba Yachi, Lindsay Chamangurangura, and DJ Lag.
Notable Alumni Films
Lake of Stars does not operate as a film festival with a formal submission or selection process. Film screenings are curated by the festival organizers. However, the festival has provided a platform for Malawian and African cinema alongside its music and arts programming:
- Nofinofy (2019) by Michael Andrianaly - A 73-minute documentary about a barber in Madagascar. While not a Lake of Stars selection, the film represents the type of Indian Ocean regional cinema that aligns with the festival's cultural programming.
- The festival's film strand has screened Malawian documentaries and short films as part of its cultural programming, though specific titles are not publicly cataloged.
- The Day of Ideas Youth Festival (October 1, 2026) includes film content alongside talks and performances, serving as a platform for young Malawian filmmakers.
- The festival's 2025 theme "The Heartbeat of Tradition - Celebrating Homemade Musical Instruments" connected film programming to Malawian cultural heritage.
The festival's primary cultural exports have been musical rather than cinematic. The Madalitso Band, discovered as street performers in Lilongwe, went on to play Glastonbury, WOMAD, WOMEX, and Roskilde after appearing at Lake of Stars. They signed with Swiss label Bongo Joe Records and released 4 albums.
Submission Tips
- Contact the festival organizers directly. Lake of Stars has no formal film submission process, no FilmFreeway page, and no open call for films. Screening inquiries go through the festival team.
- Target the film strand only if your work aligns with the festival's cultural mission. The festival programs films that connect to Malawian culture, African arts, sustainability, or community themes.
- Consider environmental and sustainability themes. The festival's commitment to the SDGs and its 2025 partnership with REIAMA (Renewable Energy Industries Association of Malawi) creates a specific niche for films on climate, freshwater ecology, and community action.
- Do not submit expecting industry outcomes. There is no film market, no pitch sessions, no industry accreditation, and no acquisitions activity. Approach this festival as a cultural platform for audience engagement.
- For dedicated African film festivals with competitive categories, consider FESPACO (Burkina Faso), Durban International Film Festival (South Africa), or Zanzibar International Film Festival (Tanzania) instead.
- For African short film festivals with formal submissions, consider Madagascourt Film Festival (Madagascar) instead.
- If your film addresses Indian Ocean regional themes, the festival's location on Lake Malawi creates geographic relevance for films about freshwater ecology, island communities, or East African coastal culture.
Industry Reputation Notes
Lake of Stars is an arts and culture festival, not a film industry event. The industry does not treat it as an acquisitions opportunity, a networking platform, or a competitive film festival. Its film programming is one strand among many.
Compared to FESPACO (Burkina Faso), the largest African film festival, Lake of Stars has no film market, no juried competition, and no industry program. FESPACO attracts distributors, sales agents, and international press for African cinema. Lake of Stars attracts music fans, cultural tourists, and development organizations.
Compared to Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF), which programs African and Indian Ocean cinema with a competitive section, Lake of Stars has a fraction of the film programming. ZIFF runs a film market and industry workshops. Lake of Stars runs music stages, fashion shows, and community art installations.
The festival's industry value lies in cultural tourism and media exposure, not film business. Songlines Magazine, BBC, and Music In Africa cover the festival. The 2024 edition celebrated both the festival's 20th anniversary and Malawi's 60th year of independence, drawing international coverage.
The festival is organized by Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE), led by director Sharmila Elias. The 2026 theme "Festivals with Purpose - Inspire, Connect, Invest, Celebrate" signals its focus on cultural and economic development rather than film industry outcomes.
See Also
For African cinema markets and distribution, see International Film Markets. For festival submission strategy for dedicated African film festivals, see Film Festival Strategy. Use the Festival Entry Fee ROI Calculator to plan your festival submission budget. For a dedicated African short film festival, see Madagascourt Film Festival.
