The 15th Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) begins on Sunday 1 November in Lagos, Nigeria, and runs until 7 November. This year's theme, "Frames of the Future: Africa's Creative Intelligence", puts the spotlight on the inventiveness of the continent's creators.
Opening night belongs to "Lady", the first feature by director Olive Nwosu. The Anglo-Nigerian co-production follows an independent female cab driver who ferries night-shift sex workers across the city, and explores economic survival, women's agency and sisterhood. Starring Jessica Gabriel, Amanda Oruh and Seun Kuti, it won a Special Jury Award at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival before screening in Berlin and London. Hakeem Kae-Kazim's "It's the Blackness" will close the event.
The programme includes around 130 screenings, masterclasses and industry talks. The festival's market, the AFRIFF Film & Content Market, brings producers, distributors and broadcasters together to build partnerships. Two American filmmakers, Angel Kristi Williams and Charles Kirby, are leading week-long directing and cinematography workshops for emerging Nigerian talent.
Founded and directed by Chioma Ude, AFRIFF also welcomes delegates from Brazil and France this year to discuss international co-production. For African talent, it is one of the key gatherings of the year's end.
