AFRIFF 2026 has unveiled programme for 15th edition, celebrating Africa’s creative intelligence.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has unveiled the programme for its 15th edition, scheduled to hold in Lagos, Nigeria, from November 1 to 7, 2026, under the theme “Frames of the Future: Africa’s Creative Intelligence.”
The festival will celebrate the imagination, innovation and entrepreneurial spirit shaping the future of African cinema and the wider creative industry, with a programme featuring 130 films, industry conversations, masterclasses, networking opportunities and the Africa Film & Content Market (AFCM).
The 2026 edition will explore how African storytellers are redefining narratives, embracing emerging technologies and developing innovative business models to finance, produce and distribute their work to audiences around the world.
AFRIFF Founder and Festival Director, Chioma Ude, said the anniversary edition would celebrate the people and ideas transforming how African stories are created, financed, experienced and shared globally.
ALSO: AFRIFF 2026 Unveils Programme for 15th Edition, Celebrating Africa’s Creative Intelligence
“African cinema is entering an exciting new chapter, driven not only by the power of our stories but also by the intelligence, innovation and enterprise behind them,” Ude said.
She added that AFRIFF 2026 was designed to inspire new possibilities, encourage meaningful industry connections and translate Africa’s creative potential into sustainable opportunities.
Representing the Minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Shuaib Husseini, reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting Nigeria’s creative industries through policies that strengthen technology, distribution and infrastructure.
Husseini described AFRIFF’s 15-year journey as a testament to the power of African storytelling and its potential to drive economic growth by connecting local creative talent with global audiences.
He also commended Ude for sustaining the festival and promoting capacity building through the AFRIFF Academy, while encouraging the media to help bring African stories to audiences worldwide.
AFRIFF 2026 to Open With ‘Lady’, Close With ‘It’s the Blackness’
The festival will open with Lady, the feature debut of Nigerian filmmaker Olive Nwosu.
Set in Lagos, the film follows a young taxi driver who transports a group of sex workers on their nightly rounds, including a childhood friend she has not seen in years. The story explores friendship, sisterhood, resilience and the experiences of women navigating life in a rapidly changing city.
The closing film, It’s the Blackness, marks the feature directorial debut of acclaimed actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim.
Produced by Dapo Oshiyemi, the black comedy-drama follows two friends, Eniola and Jordan, as they navigate personal ambitions, family pressures and immigration challenges while attempting to build a future for themselves.
The film explores identity, friendship and the determination to create opportunities in difficult circumstances.
International Films, Hollywood Guests to Feature at AFRIFF
AFRIFF 2026 will showcase international productions through collaborations with diplomatic missions and the participation of filmmakers and screen personalities from different countries.
Among the special presentations is Sentimental Value, directed by Norwegian filmmaker Joachim Trier and presented in association with the Norwegian Embassy.
The programme will also feature The Traitor, directed by Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio and presented by the Italian Embassy.
American actress Danielle Brooks, an Oscar nominee, will feature in the special presentation of If I Go Will They Miss Me, directed by Walter Thompson-Hernández.
Hollywood actor Djimon Hounsou, the festival’s guest of honour, will present the short film Calabash.
Other selected works include The Spectacular Death of Prisca, directed by Kaelo Iyizoba, and A Tray of Locust Beans, a short film by Lufodo Productions, founded by veteran Nigerian actress and filmmaker Joke Silva.
The festival said the international programme would strengthen cultural exchange and create opportunities for African cinema to engage with global creative communities.
Women Take Centre Stage in AFRIFF Film Selection
Women’s stories and creative leadership will feature prominently in the 2026 programme, particularly in the feature film competition.
Ude said the prominence of women in the selection became apparent after the festival’s programmers completed their work, with female filmmakers and female-centred narratives accounting for a significant proportion of the selected features.
Reflecting on the festival’s theme and the growing influence of artificial intelligence, she said the future of cinema would also be shaped by women’s contributions to filmmaking and storytelling.
The selection features female protagonists navigating identity, family, belonging, ambition and personal transformation, reflecting diverse experiences across contemporary African societies.
AFRIFF said the emphasis aligns with its commitment to discovering emerging talent, broadening representation and creating opportunities for diverse voices to shape the future of cinema.
US, France and Brazil Strengthen International Film Cooperation
The United States Mission in Nigeria will support AFRIFF for the 11th consecutive year, according to US Consul General Brandon Hudspeth.
Hudspeth announced the participation of two US film envoys, Angel Kristi Williams and Charles Kirby, who will lead week-long workshops for emerging Nigerian filmmakers on directing and cinematography.
The workshops are expected to provide opportunities for participants to develop technical skills, build professional relationships and explore collaborations with international film industry stakeholders.
“Our goal is to give Nigeria creatives the tools and connections to shape their own future and do business with American platforms, studios and investors,” Hudspeth said.
France also reaffirmed its support for international co-productions. Laurent Favier, Consul General of France in Lagos, said cross-border partnerships would help film industries adapt to changing market conditions while preserving their creative identities.
Favier disclosed that four French-Nigerian feature-film co-productions were in development, alongside collaborations involving fiction, animation and documentary series.
Brazilian Consul General Ronaldo Vieira also highlighted the importance of cultural exchange and international collaboration in expanding opportunities for filmmakers.
The diplomatic engagements form part of AFRIFF’s broader efforts to connect Nigerian and African creatives with international markets, financing opportunities and production partners.
Africa Film & Content Market Returns in November
A major component of the festival is the second edition of the Africa Film & Content Market, scheduled to run from November 2 to 5, 2026, at Twinwaters, Lekki, Lagos.
The market is designed to connect African and international producers, investors, distributors, broadcasters and streaming platforms, creating opportunities for film financing, licensing, distribution and co-production.
Ude said the initiative was established to provide African creators with access to capital, buyers, distributors, partners and markets beyond visibility alone.
The 2026 edition will welcome delegations from more than 10 countries, including Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, Sweden, France, Oman, the United States and Canada.
Participating companies include MTN, Dentsu, CNN, Filmhouse Group and Lamart, among others.
The market programme will feature industry sessions, business meetings, co-production opportunities and investment roundtables focused on strengthening the commercial foundations of African film and television.
Beyond the market, AFRIFF will host industry discussions, masterclasses and networking events designed to equip filmmakers and creative professionals with the knowledge and relationships needed to compete in the global entertainment industry.
The Obi Adada Foundation has also committed to covering screening ticket costs for festival attendees, according to the organisers, in support of AFRIFF’s objective of making films accessible to young creatives and filmmakers across the continent.
With its 15th edition combining film screenings, professional development, international partnerships and market access, AFRIFF aims to strengthen the visibility of African storytelling while expanding the business opportunities available to filmmakers across the continent.
The full festival programme is available at https://afriff.com/program.
