•Ude
Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is set to launch its 13th edition with an ambitious vision of propelling African storytelling onto the global stage. The week-long festival, running from November 3-9, at AFRIFF HUB in Lagos, will present 150 films under the theme “Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity.”
Festival founder Chioma Ude has announced that Michael W. Ndiomu’s crime thriller Headless will open the event, setting the tone for a programme that bridges local narratives with international appeal. The selection exemplifies AFRIFF’s commitment to showcasing how African filmmakers can maintain cultural authenticity while creating universally resonant content. “African filmmaking is rapidly evolving, and Nigeria is at its core. With films like Headless, we aim to showcase how African stories can stay true to cultural roots while resonating globally,” Ude stated.
The festival’s closing night will feature Out of Breath by Obi Emelonye, a film that weaves Igbo cultural elements with contemporary storytelling techniques, demonstrating the festival’s theme in action.
AFRIFF’s growing international influence was recently highlighted during its participation at UNGA 79 in New York, where industry leaders gathered to discuss strategies for leveraging Nigeria’s creative potential.
The festival has also expanded its impact through initiatives like the AFRIFF Academy, which has partnered with the University of Creative Art to nurture emerging talent.#In a significant development for emerging filmmakers, the festival facilitated a pitching session where 30 scriptwriters from across Africa presented their work to major platforms including Showmax and Filmone, resulting in three finalists from Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda.
Since its inception in 2010, AFRIFF has evolved into a vital platform for African cinema, offering not just film screenings but also industry discussions and networking opportunities.
This year’s edition at The Palms, Oniru, promises to further cement the festival’s role in transforming African cultural wealth into global prosperity through the medium of film.