AFRIFF 2026 to Showcase 135 Films and AI Initiatives

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has announced its 15th edition, scheduled to take place from November 1 to 7, 2026, in Lagos. The festival will feature a lineup of 135 films, including 23 feature films, and will culminate in the AFRIFF Globe Awards on November 7.

The theme for this milestone edition is “Frames of the Future,” focusing on “Africa’s Creative Intelligence.” Notably, 55 percent of the selected feature films are directed by, produced by, or centered on women, reflecting the evolving representation in the film industry. Festival founder Chioma Ude discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on filmmaking, asserting that AI should be viewed as a tool for creative development.

The opening film, Lady, directed by Oliver Omoresu, is an African neo-noir set in Lagos, while the closing film, It’s the Blackness, marks the directorial debut of Hakeem Kae-Kazim. The festival will also screen international productions in collaboration with various diplomatic missions.