The final quarter of 2025 promises a celebration of African cinema, with eight major festivals scheduled between October and December.
From Lagos to Abuja, Enugu to Ibadan, these festivals represent more than mere entertainment; they are also platforms for cultural exchange, industry development, talent discovery, and the celebration of storytelling that reflects the African experience.
So, whether you’re a filmmaker seeking distribution, an industry professional looking to network, or simply a cinema enthusiast eager to discover the next generation of African filmmakers, this comprehensive guide will help you navigate Nigeria’s packed film festival season.
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Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF)
November 2-8, 2025 – Lagos
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is an annual film festival that takes place in Nigeria. It was founded in 2010 with its Inaugural edition in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria.
AFRIFF was founded by Chioma Ude, a passionate film buff and entrepreneur. What began as a bold vision to create Africa’s premier film showcase has evolved into the continent’s most vibrant and influential cinematic gathering.
AFRIFF is an international film showcase that presents an immersion into the world of filmmaking, with participation from all over Africa and the diaspora.
The festival’s core mission extends beyond simple film screenings; it aims to position African cinema on the global stage, create meaningful connections between African filmmakers and international markets, and celebrate the diversity and richness of African storytelling.
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The festival champions films that authentically represent African narratives, challenge stereotypes, and push creative boundaries.
It serves as a critical bridge between African content creators and global audiences, distributors, and investors who might otherwise have limited access to the continent’s cinematic output.
AFRIFF has successfully launched the careers of numerous African filmmakers, many of whom have gone on to achieve international recognition at Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, and other prestigious festivals. Films like Freedom Way by Blessing Uzzi, The Man Died by Awam Amkpa have been screened in some of these festivals.
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Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF)
October 26-31, 2025 Abuja
The Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) has grown to become one of Africa’s most enduring and influential film festivals.
Held annually in Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, AIFF serves as a dynamic platform for filmmakers worldwide to showcase the excellence of the cinematic art form.
Ran for 22 years (since 2004), AIFF is one of Nigeria’s longest-running and most established film festivals.
The Founder of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), Fidelis Duker, established the festival with the vision of creating a world-class cinematic platform in Nigeria’s administrative capital, ensuring that Abuja, which is often overlooked in favour of Lagos’s commercial dominance, would have its own significant cultural identity.
While Lagos-based festivals often attract more commercial attention, AIFF has cultivated a reputation for serious cinematic discourse and artistic merit.
The festival’s location in Abuja provides unique access to government officials, policy makers, and diplomatic corps, making it particularly valuable for discussions around film policy, censorship, and industry regulation.
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The Annual Film Mischief
October 16-19, 2025 Lagos, Abuja
The AnnuaL Film Mischief represents a newer, more experimental approach to film festivals in Nigeria.
True to its name, the festival embraces a spirit of creative disruption and playful irreverence that sets it apart from more traditional festival formats.
Film Mischief positions itself as the festival for filmmakers who don’t quite fit the mainstream mould. It champions experimental narratives, unconventional storytelling techniques, and films that challenge audience expectations.
The festival’s programming deliberately seeks out work that might be considered too risky, too avant-garde, or too politically provocative for more conservative festival circuits.
The festival has become particularly popular among film school graduates, independent filmmakers working outside the commercial Nollywood system, and international directors interested in pushing African cinema’s creative boundaries.
Lagos Fringe Festival
November 18-23, 2025 Lagos
The Lagos Fringe Festival occupies a unique space in Nigeria’s cultural calendar as a multidisciplinary arts festival where film represents one component of a broader celebration of performance, visual arts, and experimental creativity.
Born from the global Fringe festival movement, which began in Edinburgh and has since spawned iterations worldwide, the Lagos Fringe brings that spirit of open-access, egalitarian, and boundary-pushing art to West Africa.
Unlike curated festivals, where selection committees determine programming, Fringe festivals traditionally operate on an open-access model where any artist can participate.
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While theatre remains the festival’s core focus, film programming at Lagos Fringe has grown significantly in recent years. The festival particularly champions:
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Video art and film installations
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Documentary shorts addressing social issues
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Hybrid works combining live performance with film
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Works by artists who move fluidly between discipline
For filmmakers, Lagos Fringe offers an opportunity to present work to audiences who value experimentation and are hungry for narratives that challenge conventions. It’s particularly valuable for directors whose work doesn’t fit neatly into commercial or traditional arthouse categories.
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