The Africa International Film Festival is set to make a grand return in 2025 with a renewed focus on celebrating African creativity, innovation, and excellence.
This year’s edition will prominently feature the Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence, a new highlight of the festival dedicated to honouring exceptional Africans making positive impacts across the continent.
The 14th edition of AFRIFF will take place from November 2 to 8, 2025, under the theme “Rhythms of the Continent: The Afrobeats Film Movement.”
The theme reflects the growing intersection between film and Africa’s globally influential music culture.
The Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence is named after the late Herbert Wigwe, whose visionary leadership and contributions to Africa’s creative and economic growth continue to inspire new generations. The award aims to celebrate individuals whose work embodies Wigwe’s legacy of transformation and excellence.
“The Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence is more than a tribute — it’s a movement,” said Chioma Ude, Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF.
“Herbert believed deeply in the power of African talent to compete globally. Through this award, we’re honouring that vision by recognizing creative leaders who are breaking barriers and inspiring new generations to dream bigger.”
The festival’s opening night will honour Vice President Kashim Shettima and Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah for their outstanding contributions to innovation and national development. The closing ceremony will also celebrate Nigerian lawyer and technocrat Hakeem Muri-Okunola, along with internationally acclaimed actor David Oyelowo.
AFRIFF 2025 will also mark the official launch of the AFRIFF Film and Content Market (AFCM)—Nigeria’s first dedicated film and content marketplace. Designed as a hub for filmmakers, distributors, and investors, the AFCM aims to strengthen Africa’s creative ecosystem and promote sustainable monetization of African stories.
In addition to awards, masterclasses, and networking sessions, the festival will feature screenings of over 100 films from across Africa and the diaspora, showcasing the continent’s diversity, creativity, and storytelling innovation.
With its blend of art, business, and cultural celebration, AFRIFF 2025 is poised to be a landmark edition—one that honours the trailblazers driving Africa’s creative renaissance while ensuring that Herbert Wigwe’s legacy of empowerment continues to inspire through every story, rhythm, and frame.
