Mossel Bay has earned international recognition after its promotional film, ICONIC Mossel Bay, received a Gold Award at the 2026 International Tourism Film Festival Africa (ITFFA), cementing the Garden Route destination’s growing reputation on the global travel stage.
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The annual festival, held in Johannesburg from 2 to 5 June, celebrates outstanding tourism films from around the world. This year’s event brought together more than 120 tourism and film industry professionals, including international delegates, to showcase creative storytelling that inspires travel.
The award follows another successful showing for Mossel Bay Tourism. In 2025, the organisation entered the festival for the first time with its Route 12 promotional film, which earned two Silver Awards and ranked among the top 34 entries from more than 440 submissions worldwide.
“It was an incredibly proud and rewarding moment,” said Mossel Bay Tourism COO Lieschke Steven-Jennings.
“To see our story resonate on an international platform and be acknowledged among strong global competition was both humbling and inspiring.”
The award-winning film showcases the diversity of experiences visitors can enjoy in and around Mossel Bay, from hiking trails and surfing breaks to ziplining, marine adventures, heritage attractions and local cuisine. The aim, according to Steven-Jennings, was to demonstrate that the destination offers year-round experiences for every type of traveller.
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Beyond boosting the town’s tourism profile, the recognition also highlights Mossel Bay’s growing status as a filming destination.
“Every year we see more productions choosing Mossel Bay, and this recognition reflects the town’s growing appeal on a global stage,” Steven-Jennings said.
The economic impact of film tourism continues to grow across South Africa. According to figures shared by Mossel Bay Tourism, the country’s film industry contributed R8.8 billion to the national economy last year, with approximately R500 million spent directly on tourism-related products and services, underlining the close relationship between film production and destination marketing.
Mossel Bay’s success extended beyond its own tourism campaign. The local Skipper Foundation also received international recognition, earning a Silver Award for its documentary after being selected as a festival finalist.
Steven-Jennings, who served on the ITFFA judging panel for a third consecutive year, said the event created valuable opportunities to connect with filmmakers, tourism professionals and media representatives from around the world.
The festival has also encouraged Mossel Bay Tourism to submit future productions to additional international film festivals, further expanding the destination’s global reach.
“Mossel Bay is more than a destination – it’s an experience,” said Steven-Jennings. “Platforms like ITFFA help us share that story with the world.”
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