The air buzzed with excitement as filmmakers, industry executives, and lovers of African cinema gathered at the opening night of the 13th annual Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) held at Cube 65, Adeola Odekun, VI Lagos, Nigeria, to celebrate the power of storytelling.
The event, founded by Chioma Ude, The First Lady of African Media – has become one of Africa’s premier platforms for amplifying the voices of filmmakers across the continent. Since its launch in 2010, AFRIFF has spotlighted unique African narratives and empowered a new generation of storytellers through workshops, masterclasses, and networking opportunities that have launched careers and impactful international collaborations.
The Benchmark interviewed Isioma Nnenna Alexis Idigbe, Project Director of AFRIFF and Partner at PUNUKA Attorneys & Solicitors. In this candid conversation, Idigbe discusses the vision for this year’s event, the challenges they faced, and the lasting impact AFRIFF seeks to create within the African film industry.
The Benchmark: Kindly introduce yourself.
Isioma Idigbe: my name is Ishioma Idigbe. I’m the project director at AFRIFF and a lawyer by profession. I’m a partner at the law firm PUNUKA Attorneys and Solicitors.
What does AFRIFF plan to achieve at this year’s festival?
We will do what we always do every year… but better. We will ensure that we have a fabulous, educative, elegant, and fun space for African filmmakers to display their work, meet each other, and foster more collaborations. We want people to receive training and enjoy all the good stuff we always enjoy at AFRRIF.
This is AFRIFF’s 13th year. What challenges did you encounter while preparing for this event compared to other years, and how did you surmount them?
We face the same challenges many corporations face with the economic downturn. Raising the finances to put the festival on this year has been challenging. It’s always a challenge, but this year has been particularly difficult.
But when there’s a will, there’s a way. We’re here today at our opening night despite all the challenges. And we still did it in the same high fashion that we always do every year. So we’re happy to be able to do that. That has been some of our biggest challenges.
What advice will be given to actors and filmmakers coming for AFRIFF? What do you expect of them?
They need to be open. They need to watch some good movies, attend our industry sessions, and sign up for our masterclasses and workshops. They also need to meet other filmmakers and go to networking events. The whole point is for them to live and breathe for more reach, whether in skills, knowledge, information, or just contact.
Interview conducted by Ishioma Imokhai-Bello.
