Festivals

AFRIFF 2025 Opens in Lagos with Afrobeats Film Theme

Published

11 months ago

November 2, 2025

AFRIFF 2025 opens in Lagos with the theme “Rhythms of the Continent,” celebrating Africa’s fusion of film, music and cultural storytelling

The 14th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) opens in Lagos on Sunday, November 2, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, and audiences from across Africa and the diaspora.

Also read: AFRIFF 2025 Launches Film Market, Boosts Lagos Tourism

Running through November 8, the festival will showcase feature films, documentaries, and shorts that reflect the richness and diversity of African storytelling.

A major highlight this year is the Africa Film and Content Market (AFCM) — a new initiative designed to deepen creative trade and boost tourism inflow.

Founded by Chioma Ude in 2010, AFRIFF has evolved into one of Africa’s premier film gatherings, attracting more than 2,000 participants annually.

This year’s edition, held at the Landmark Centre and other venues across Lagos, is expected to test the city’s readiness for larger cultural tourism events ahead of the festive ‘Detty December’ season.

Backed by the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, AFRIFF forms part of the state’s creative industry agenda to position Lagos as a film-friendly global destination.

As in previous years, the festival will feature screenings, masterclasses, workshops, and pitch sessions, creating a dynamic environment for professionals, students, and enthusiasts to learn, network, and showcase their craft.

The 2025 edition boasts a powerhouse jury of global film professionals drawn from Africa and beyond. They will decide winners in multiple categories, including the prestigious Globe Awards, honouring excellence in artistry, storytelling, and cultural authenticity.

This year’s theme — “Rhythms of the Continent: The Afrobeats Film Movement” — celebrates the intersection of Africa’s music and film cultures.

It challenges filmmakers to reflect on whether cinema can achieve what Afrobeats has done globally — capturing the world’s imagination while staying rooted in African identity.

The opening film, “3 Cold Dishes,” executive produced by Grammy winner Burna Boy, sets the tone. The revenge thriller explores the connections between West African rhythms and global music culture, blending sound and storytelling in fresh, daring ways.

AFRIFF’s industry programme will also include sessions on film distribution, marketing, content commissioning, and cross-border partnerships.

Its mission remains consistent: develop African cinema to compete globally, connect filmmakers with investors and distributors, and empower emerging talent through training and exposure.

Also read: AFRIFF 2023 to spotlight African cinema with 150 films, global networking events

With its blend of cinema, music, and culture, AFRIFF 2025 promises to be the festival’s most ambitious edition yet — an electrifying celebration of Africa’s creative renaissance on the global stage.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

16 hours ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”