The Gold Lion Film Festival presents the latest achievements in short films and videos from Europe, the Americas, Asia, Africa and elsewhere in the world. All genres of shorts subjects are presented.

The festival's original purpose was to overcome the limitations of commercial film distribution in the region, which is largely restricted to mainstream blockbuster films, and to introduce innovative filmmakers to a new audience and the excitement of today's Africa.

The Gold Lion Film Festival has become more - a way for African filmmakers to come to world attention and for world filmmakers to have their work showed on a continent where few opportunities for exhibition exist. Film festivals from four continents are either partnering with the festival or using us for programming ideas.

The governments of several nations have found the festival an exciting venue to showcase their filmmakers' works. (The Gold Lion Film Festival is Swaziland's largest cultural exchange.) In 2007, special screenings were devoted to French, Italian,Taiwanees and American films, sponsored by the governments of those countries. (Films shown were entirely chosen by the festival selection committee from festival entries.) Portugal is among new nations that have expressed interest in screenings of their own filmmakers at the 2008 festival.

Beyond the festival itself, this organisation is dedicated to the advancement of film scholarship, both critical and production, and cinema appreciation throughout Southern Africa. The educational and cultural programmes of the festival continue throughout the year, bringing film to rural communities and disadvantaged groups. Submitted films, including some not chosen for screening at the festival, are shown at special screenings, some dedicated to social issues like Women's Rights, HIV/AIDS and artistic accomplishment, or at workshops for filmmaker education. Filmmakers' permissions are obtained before these screenings.