Docathon East Africa
A regional student film festival challenging students across Africa to create impactful stories about local and global issues.
Register NOW for the East Africa Docathon at IS Tanganyika!
Submit your short Documentary film by October 28th, 2025. Film Screening and Festival: November 8th, 2025
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Why take part?
- Learn how to make a 5 minute film via a short course.
- Connect to local changemakers.
- Get mentorship from pros.
- Connect with student filmmakers from around the globe; watch and discuss the documentaries you've made.
- Gain VIP access to the online awards, win prizes.
- Demonstrate transferable skills and actions beyond academics
What to expect
Learn how to make a mini documentary by taking the Docathon course.
* No previous experience required!
- Research the story you want to tell.
- Explore your community and film.
- Edit your video to 3-6 minutes max.
- Submit your film before the deadline!
* No fancy cameras required!
- Share your Film: Present your work to filmmakers worldwide.
- Get Feedback: Receive insights and discuss themes with peers.
- Network: Connect with fellow filmmakers tackling similar topics.
Join the Showcase!
Top films will be featured during the Docathon at IS Tanganyika (November 8th, 2025) as well as at the AISA GISS on February 13, 2026 at AIS Lusaka, Zambia.
The curriculum
Our Docathon course is designed to help you create your first ever short documentary - no prior experience, or fancy equipment, required!
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Welcome to Docathon!
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Everything you need to know
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Student Action Notebook
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Live Mentorship
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A key to good filmmaking
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Notes on your Student Action Notebook
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Sample Film: A Docathon-winning film!
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What did our judges think?
FREE PREVIEW
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A filmmaking secret
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3 questions you need to ask yourself
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Asking Meaningful Questions
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Types of Meaningful Questions or Prompts
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Student Action Notebook activity
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Introducing your Storyboarding mentor
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Storyboarding - What and Why?
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Storyboarding Techniques
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Storyboarding Tips & Tricks
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It's time to film! What you need to know
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Types of Shots
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B-Roll
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Audio
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DOs and DON'Ts: Filming Quiz
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Getting permission to film
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Let's film!
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It's time to edit your film!
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Narrative
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A quick summary of next steps
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Video Editors
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Sound and Music
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Graphics
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DOs and DON'Ts: Editing Quiz
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- For questions : [email protected]
About the organizers
The Association of International Schools in Africa (AISA) is of Africa and for Africa. AISA is dedicated to transforming student learning by leading and supporting professional growth, good governance, strategic thinking, and the wellbeing of the entire AISA community of schools.
The International School of Tanganyika is a leading IB World School in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Serving students from Early Childhood to Grade 12, IST is known for its academic excellence, diverse community, and world-class facilities. is recognised as one of the best international schools in Africa, empowering students to become transformational leaders. The school's mission is to provide a holistic educational experience for the diverse community and nurture lifelong learners who thrive locally and globally with a desire to make the world a better place.
MAD Courses empowers students to become storytellers and change-makers through interactive, online programs that blend creativity with social impact. From hands-on documentary filmmaking to immersive global citizenship quests, our courses ignite young voices to make a difference. We partner with schools worldwide to support student-driven projects that inspire action, empathy, and real-world connection.
More About Docathon
Visit the Docathon website if you would like to know more about the organisers.
REGISTER MY INTEREST
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Special Price for AISA Schools before October 15
We are currently offering a discounted rate of $65 per student until October 15, 2025. Sign up now to enjoy this special rate!
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Get started now
$65.00
Regular price
FAQ
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Who can join Docathon?
Docathon is open to students in grades 6–12. No prior filmmaking experience is required—resources and mentorship are provided.
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How long should the films be?
All films should be between 3–6 minutes.
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What language should we use?
The main language for Docathon is English. However, local languages are welcome (even encouraged!) as long as English subtitles are included.
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What equipment do I need?
A mobile phone is enough to film your documentary. You can also use cameras, microphones, and editing software like CapCut, iMovie, or Adobe Premiere Pro if available.
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Can I work alone?
We recommend forming groups of up to five students, as filmmaking is often more fun and collaborative. But if you’d prefer to work solo, that is also possible.
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How much does it cost to participate?
Each student pays a $65 registration fee, which includes access to the training course, mentorship, and entry into the competition. The registration fee must be paid per participating student.
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How much time do I need?
The Docathon course itself takes less than an hour to complete. However, to put the principles into practice and create your film, you’ll need more time. Some groups finish over a weekend, but we recommend working gradually over 2–3 weeks to get the best results.
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What happens after I submit my film?
Submitted films will be reviewed by a panel of judges and screened at the Docathon Festival on November 8, 2025, at IST in Dar es Salaam (with online streaming available). Winning films will be showcased and awarded, and all participants can join the Student Film Exchange (SFX) in early 2026.