// Workers AI · dad joke modeDoes the Africa film fest reel in awards?
 AFRIFF official logo | |
| Location | Lagos, Nigeria |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2010 |
| Founded by | Chioma Ude[1] |
| Awards | Globe Awards |
| Artistic director | Ikenna Ezenyirioha |
| Language | International |
| Website | www |
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is an annual film festival that takes place during November in Lagos, Nigeria. It is the country's largest film festival. [2] Founded in 2010 by Chioma Ude, [3] [4][5] the week-long event promotes African and diasporic cinema through screenings, awards, professional development and the AFRIFF Film and Content Market, which facilitates the buying and selling of film and television content.[6]
History
[edit]In 2010, Chioma Ude, a Nigerian marketing professional, founded AFRIFF. While serving as project manager for the ION International Film festival—a global touring festival that she brought to Nigeria—she identified a gap for a local film festival that showcased African and Diasporan cinema.[7] The inaugural festival of AFRIFF was held in Port Harcourt with Peace Anyam-Osigwe as its creative director.[4] Thirteen films, including two from Nigeria, made the official selection.[8] In 2011 the festival took place in Lagos. That year 180 films were submitted, out of which 63 were selected.[9] The first two editions presented five awards, known as the Globe Awards: Best Feature Film, People’s Choice Award, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, and Best Animation.
In 2013 AFFRIF's 3d edition was held in Calabar, Cross River State with Keith Shiri assuming the role of creative director.[10] [11] 70 films were screened from a total of 200 submissions.[12] Starting with this edition, the number of awards and prizes started to expand progressively, reaching a total of eighteen by 2025, including categories for directing, acting, screenwriting, as well as awards recognizing international and student talent. [13][14][15]
Following another edition hosted in Calabar in 2014, the festival relocated permanently to Lagos for its 2015 edition, where it has since been held annually, except in 2020, when it was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
For its 10th edition in 2021 AFRIFF received a record-breaking 4,000 film submissions from more than 100 countries, of which 150 were screened.[16] The following year, AFRIFF partnered with the Red Sea International Film Festival to introduce the Saudi based festival and its Red Sea Fund to African and Diasporan filmmakers. The 2022 edition received 500 film submissions from the Middle East.[17][18]
In 2023, 2000 films were submitted from over 100 countries for AFRIFF's 12th edition.[19] That year AFRIFF partnered with the African Export Import Bank (Afreximbank) through its Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) in developing "Script to Screen", a year-long capacity-building intervention aimed at African filmmakers.[20]
In 2025, AFRIFF showcased 90 films, with 47 of them in competition. During the 14th edition AFRIFF debuted the ARIFF Film and Content Market (AFCM) in partnership with Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy (FMACCE). AFCM is Nigeria’s first official marketplace for African film and creative content, providing a platform where filmmakers, distributors, investors, and buyers can connect to facilitate content licensing, co-productions, and distribution agreements. Dennis Ruh, a former European Film Market director served as the lead consultant. In addition to FMACCE, other partners supporting AFCM in its inaugural edition included MTN, Goldfinch, SOOP, SPCINE, and the Lagos State Government.[6] [21]
In 2026, Cannes' Marché du Film selected AFFRIF as one of seven international festivals invited to curate their own pitch sessions for films in post-production to sales agents, distributors, and festival programmers. On May 16, AFRIFF presented five African titles from Nigeria, South Africa and Rwanda in the Marché du Film's "Goes to Cannes" program.[22] [23]
Editions
[edit]2010 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 2010 Africa International Film Festival was held in Port Harcourt from 1 December 2010 to 5 December 2010. The festival followed after its first official announcement at the 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards. The five-day event featured several activities that included workshop, screenings, film premiere, awards night and a fashion show. The event featured performances from P-Square and Duncan Mighty. The theme for the year was "Africa Unites". Eligible submissions must have been produced after 1 January 2009 and submitted before 31 August 2010. [24][25][26][27]
Award winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best People's Choice Award | Working Girl by Nigel Trellis (Antigua and Barbuda) |
| Best Animation | URS by Montz Mayerhofer (Germany) |
| Best Short Film | Pumzi by Wanuri Kahiu (Kenya) |
| Best Documentary | Stolen by Daniel FallShaw (Australia) |
| Best Feature Film | Soul Boy by Hawa Essuman (Kenya/Germany) |
2011 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 2011 Africa International Film Festival took place from 30 November 2011 to 3 December 2011 in Lagos. The event was sponsored by Arik Air and submissions were open from March 30 to July 30, 2011.[28] Leila Djansi's Ties That Bind opened the ceremony with its premiere at Genesis Deluxe Cinemas. The event was anchored by Rita Dominic and IK Osakioduwa. Lynn Whitfield was the ambassador of the festival. P-Square performed at the Oriental Hotel on the final day of the event.[29][30]
Award winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Animation | Le Parrain by lazare sie Pale (Burkina Faso) |
| People's Choice Award | The Education of Auma Obama by Branwen Okpako (Kenya) |
| Best Short Film | Blissi N'Diaye by Nicolas Sawaco (France) |
| Best Documentary | The Unbroken Spirit by Monica Wangu Wamwere (Kenya) |
| Best Feature Film | Aramotu by Niji Akanni (Nigeria) |
2013 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 2013 Africa International Film Festival was held from 10 November to 17 November 2013 at Tinapa, Cross River.[31] The event was hosted by Darey Art Alade and TV personality, Michelle Dede. The event was sponsored by UBA.[32] South African film Of Good Report won the Best Feature Film.[33][34][35]
Award winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Of Good Report (South Africa) |
| President's Best Authentic Nigerian Film | The Meeting by Mildred Okwo |
| Best Director | Roberta Durrant for Felix |
| Best Film Screenplay | iNumber Number |
| Best Actor | Desmond Elliot (Lies Men Tell) |
| Best Actress | Uche Jombo (Lies Men Tell) |
| Special Jury Mention | Rita Dominic and Omoni Oboli |
| Best Student Film | Sodiq by Adeyemi Michael |
| Best Short Film | Adamt by Zalem Worldmariam (Ethiopia) |
| Special Jury Mention | Beleh by Eka Christa Assam (Cameroun) |
| Special Mention | Africa Shafted |
| Best Documentary | The Virgin, the Copts and Me by Namir Abdel Messeeh |
| Jury Special Prize | Virgin Margarida by Licinio Azevedo |
2014 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 2014 Africa International Film Festival was held from 9 November 2014 to 16 November 2014 at Tinapa, Cross River.[36][37]
Award winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | October 1 (Kunle Afolayan) – Nigeria |
| Best Nigerian Film | Ojuju (C.J. Obasi) – Nigeria |
| Best Director | Andrew Dosunmu (Mother of George) – Nigeria |
| Best Screenplay | October 1 (Tunde Babalola) – Nigeria |
| Best Actor | Sadiq Daba (October 1) – Nigeria |
| Best Actress | Thishiwe Ziqubu (Hard to – South Africa |
| Best Short Film | Stiff (Samantha Nell) |
| Best Documentary | The Supreme Price (Joana Lipper) |
| Best Student Short | Aissa's Story (Iquo Essien) |
| Audience Choice | Gone Too Far! (Destiny Ekaragha) |
| Outstanding Jury Award | Om Amira (Naji Ismail) |
2015 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Outstanding Jury Award | Hex by Clarence Peters |
| Best Student Short Film | Joy by Solomon Onita |
| Best Animation | Legacy of Rubies by Ebele Okoye |
| Best Short Film on the Continent | Alma by Christa Eka Amaka |
| Audience Choice Awards | Silent Tears by Ishaya Bako |
| Best Actor | Charlie Vundla |
| Best Actress | Fulu Mugovhani (Ayanda) |
| Best Screenplay | The Price of Love |
| Best Documentary | Eighteam |
| Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film | Reflections (Desmond Elliot) |
| Best Director | Raja Amari |
| Best Feature Film | Fevers by Hicham Ayouch |
2016 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 2016 AFRIFF Globe Awards held on Saturday, 19 November 2016, at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.
Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner: |
|---|---|
| Special Jury Prize | Vaya by Akin Omotoso |
| Best Short Film | Lodgers by Keni Ogunlola |
| Audience Choice Award | Slow Country |
| Best Actor | Ramsey Nouah ('76) |
| Best Actress | Bimbo Akintola (93 Days) |
| Best Screenplay | '76 by Emmanuel Okomanyi |
| Best Documentary | Nowhere to Run by Dan McCain |
| Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film | Green White Green by Abba Makama |
| Best Director | Izu Ojukwu ('76) |
| Best Feature Film | '76 by Izu Ojukwu |
| Special Jury Mentions | Somkele Idhalama (93 Days) Ifeanyi Dike (Green White Green) |
2017 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]AFRIFF 2017 featured the following; Panel sessions, screenings, school children segment and various trainings.[38]
Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Actor | Ibrahim Koma, Wùlu (Mali) |
| Best Actress | Lydia Forson, Keteke (Ghana) |
| Special Jury Mention | Alter Ego by Moses Inwang (Nigeria) |
| Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film | Hakkunde by Oluseyi Amuwa (Nigeria) |
| Best Screenplay: | Dauda Coulibali, Wulu (Mali) |
| Best Director | Alain Gomis, Felicité (Senegal) |
| Audience Choice Award | The Lost Café by Kenneth Gyang (Nigeria) |
| Best Student Short Film | The Fall (South Africa) |
| Best Short Film | 1745 by Gordon Napier (UK) |
| Best Animation | Huse Met Lang Ore (South Africa) |
| Best Documentary | We Have Never Been Kids by Mahmood Soliman (Egypt) |
| Best Feature Film | I Am Not a Witch by Rungano Nyoni (Zambia/UK) |
| Best French Language Film | Wulu (Mali) |
2018 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 8th annual AFRIFF was held from 11 to 17 November 2018 at Twin Waters Entertainment Center in Lagos, Nigeria.[39][40]
Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Azali by Kwabena Gyansah (Ghana) |
| Special Jury for Outstanding Film | Not in My Neighbourhood (South Africa) |
| Best Director | Jahmil X.T. Qubeka, Sew the Winter to My Skin (South Africa) |
| Best Screenplay | Azali (Ghana) |
| Best Short | Coat of Harms (Nigeria) |
| Best Animation | A Kalabanda Ate My Homework (Uganda) |
| Best Student Short | Imfura (Rwanda) |
| Documentary - Special Mention | Cantadoras. Musical Memories of Life and death in Colombia (COLOMBIA) |
| Best Documentary | Ramothopo the Centenarian Archived 21 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine (South Africa) |
| Best Male Performance | Ezra Mabengeza, Sew the Winter to My Skin (South Africa) |
| Best Female Performance | Asana Alhassan, Azali (Ghana) |
| Viewers Choice Award | Kasala! (Nigeria) |
2019 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 9th annual AFRIFF was held from November 10 to 16, 2019 at Filmhouse Cinemas in Landmark, Retail Village, Lagos, Nigeria.[44] It was organized in partnership with the US Consulate, Access Bank and Lagos State. The 2019 AFRIFF was focused on the ''SHEROES" that is the Female Film Makers.[44]
Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Rattlesnakes, Julius Amedume (USA) |
| Best Director | Akin Omotoso, The Ghost & The House of Truth (Nigeria) |
| Best Screenplay | Ramata Sy, Our Lady of The Nile (Rwanda) |
| Best Male Performance | Bongile Mantsai, Knuckle City (South Africa) |
| Best Female Performance | Kate Henshaw, The Ghost & House of Truth (Nigeria) |
| Best Short | My Tyson (Italy) |
| Best Documentary | In Search (Kenya) |
| Best Animation | Malika - Warrior Queen (Nigeria) |
| Best Student Short | Linger (USA) |
| Short - Special Mention | Appreciation (UK) |
| Fiction - Special Mention | Gold Coast Lounge (Ghana) |
| Special Jury for outstanding film | Sankara is Not Dead (Burkina Faso) |
| Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film | The Ghost & The House of Truth (Nigeria) |
| Peter Obi Legacy Award for Female Excellence | Lizzy Ovoeme (Nigeria) |
| Viewers Choice Award | Rattlesnakes, Julius Amedume (USA) |
2021 Africa International Film Festival
[edit]The 10th annual AFRIFF was held from 7 to 13 November 2021 at Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria.[44] It was the first edition after a one-year hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Awards winners
[edit]| Award | Winner[46] |
|---|---|
| Best Feature Film | Trees for Peace, dir. Alanna Brown (USA, Rwanda) |
| Best Director | Michael Omonua, CJ Obasi, Abba T. Makama, Juju Stories (Nigeria) |
| Best Screenplay | Alanna Brown, Trees for Peace (USA, Rwanda) |
| Best Male Performance | Kelechi Udegbe, Collision Course (Nigeria) |
| Best Female Performance | Ijeoma Grace Agu, 10 Songs for Charity (Nigeria) |
| Special Jury for outstanding film | Tainted Canvas, dir. Segilola Ogidan (Nigeria) |
| Best Short | Al-Sit, dir. Suzannah Mirghani (Sudan) |
| Best Documentary | In God's Hands, dir. Mohamed Rida Gueznai (Morocco) |
| Best Animation | Lady Buckit and the Motley Mopsters, dir. Adebisi Adetayo (Nigeria) |
| Best Student Short | Bride Untangled, dir. Julie Ako (Nigeria) |
| Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film | The Griot, dir. Adeoluwa Owu |
| Viewers Choice Award | The Hail Mary, dir. Nnamdi Kanaga (USA) |
References
[edit]- ↑ Husseini, Shaibu (6 November 2021). "AFRIFF like no other is next on Chioma Ude's plate". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. Archived from the original on 16 November 2021. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
- ↑ By (6 March 2024). "6 Film Festivals You Should Attend in Nigeria". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "AFRIFF". devex. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
- 1 2 "AFRIFF brings Hollywood Stars to Nigeria". modernghana.com. Retrieved 14 May 2014.
- ↑ "Africa unites in Port Harcourt as AFRIFF debuts". bellanaija.com. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- 1 2 BellaNaija.com (2 November 2025). "AFRIFF 2025 Returns This November With a Celebration of Afrobeats and African Cinema". BellaNaija. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Lodderhose, Diana (14 May 2025). "Chioma Ude On Founding The Africa International Film Festival: "It's Inclusive Of Everything The African Diaspora Has To Offer"". Deadline. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Africa International Film Festival Takes Off in Port Harcourt – Supple Magazine". 2 December 2010. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ adefaye (18 November 2011). "AFRIFF '11: Why festival is in Lagos - Chioma Udeh". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "What AFRIFF can do for Nigerian film industry –Keith Shiri". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. 8 June 2014. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
- ↑ Nation, The (16 November 2013). "AFRIFF 2013: of film business and leisure resort". The Nation. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Africa film festival aims to be continent's Cannes". Al Arabiya English. 9 November 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "AFRIFF". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
- ↑ "AFRIFF 2025: Our Festival Highlights and Recap and Full List of Award Winners - What Kept Me Up". whatkeptmeup.com. 11 November 2025. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Globe Awards". Afriff. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Netng (30 October 2021). "Bolanle Austen-Peters' 'Collision Course' Outshines Over 4,000 Entries, Selected As AFRIFF 2021 Closing Film". The NET. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Red Sea International Film Festival". Afriff. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "Nigeria: AFRIFF Shifts Global Perspective of African Films With Over 500 Films Submission in 2022". allAfrica.com. Archived from the original on 24 October 2022. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "14 Must-See Nigerian Films at AFRIFF 2023 - What Kept Me Up". whatkeptmeup.com. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ Dimitri (13 July 2023). "Canex And Afriff Launch 'script To Screen' For African Filmmakers". Meselal. Retrieved 25 May 2026.
- ↑ "AFRIFF Film and Content Market Hopes to Build a Sustainable Regional Film Market". culturecustodian.com. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "REPORT: AFRIFF Goes to Cannes 2026". Cineuropa - the best of european cinema. 18 May 2026. Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ Lasisi, Seyi (25 February 2026). "Lagos and AFRIFF Gets Invited for the Marché du Film's Goes to Cannes Program". The Culture Custodian (Est. 2014.). Retrieved 24 May 2026.
- ↑ "Africa unites in Port Harcourt as AFRIFF debuts". bellanaija.com. 18 October 2010. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ "1st Edition of AFRIFF festival holds in Port Harcourt". jaguda.com. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ "Stars at 2010 AFRIFF festival in Port Harcourt". bellanaija.com. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ "AFRIFF Festival". bukinacultures.net. Archived from the original on 31 July 2019. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
- ↑ Njoku, Benjamin (22 April 2011). "AFRIFF 2011 organizers call for entry". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ Njoku, Benjamin (9 December 2011). "Glamour as AFRIFF 2011 ends in style". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "AFRIFF 2011 Winners". africafilmfest.org. Archived from the original on 1 July 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ Njoku, Benjamin (16 November 2013). "Memories at AFRIFF 2013". Vanguard. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ Affe, Mudiaga (15 November 2013). "Stakeholders canvass for AFRIFF 2013". The Punch. Archived from the original on 13 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Inside the AFRIFF 2013 Gala Night". bellanaija.com. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Winners of AFRIFF 2013". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 21 November 2013. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "Of Good Report tops AFRIFF 2013 list". indiewire.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2014. Retrieved 10 May 2014.
- ↑ "African International Film Festival 2014: The Awards, The Glamour; See Full List OF Winners". 360nobs.com. Archived from the original on 29 November 2014. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
- ↑ "2014 Winners". afriff.com. Archived from the original on 11 September 2015. Retrieved 20 November 2014.
- ↑ "AFRIFF 2017: Full List Of Winners". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2021.[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Bada, Gbenga. "AFRIFF 2018: Here are the 140 films to be screened at festival". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ↑ Bada, Gbenga. "AFRIFF 2018: 30 Nigerian films made it to final selection". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ↑ Bada, Gbenga. "AFRIFF 2018: Here are all the winners at the Globe awards". Pulse Nigeria. Archived from the original on 23 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ↑ "'Azali' Makes Ghana Proud At 2018 AFFRIF - Daily Guide Africa". dailyguideafrica.com. Archived from the original on 22 November 2018. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
- ↑ "AFRIFF ends on high note". The Guardian. Lagos, Nigeria. 24 November 2018. Retrieved 21 August 2021.
- 1 2 3 "AFRIFF 2019 announces festival dedicated to 'SHEROES'". Pulse Nigeria. 9 October 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ↑ "AFRIFF 2019: 'The Ghost & House of Truth' closes film festival with 3 awards". Pulse Nigeria. 17 November 2019. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
- ↑ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (17 November 2021). "Here's a full list of AFRIFF 2021 winners". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 11 June 2022.