Actors Guild of Nigeria Launches Children's Film Festival

The Actors Guild of Nigeria, led by President Abubakar Yakubu, is appealing to the government and corporate organizations for support in launching Africa's first children's film festival in 2026. This initiative aims to invest in and nurture the next generation of African filmmakers and storytellers.

The festival, set to be unveiled in Abuja, will provide a platform for children to discover and develop their creative talents while promoting authentic African cultural values. Yakubu emphasized the need for proper mentorship to help children tell authentic stories rooted in their culture rather than merely replicating content from social media.

The festival is designed primarily to nurture creativity rather than for commercial gain, focusing on education and positive expression. Beth Ogbuefi, director of the African Children's Film Festival, highlighted that the festival will encourage children aged 5-18 to actively create stories and share their voices on a global stage.

Registration for the festival will be free, aiming to encourage broad participation from children across Africa and the diaspora.