It all started with the dream of a Nigerian woman to create a platform that would showcase the stories of diverse African filmmakers. In 2010, this dream birthed the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), an annual international event held in Lagos State that brings filmmakers across the African continent together. Many years later, Nigerian entertainment executive – Chioma Ude, often referred to as The First Lady of African Media, is a name fast becoming synonymous with African cinema.
In its 13th year, AFRIFF has gained a reputation as Africa’s most vibrant festival experience. The annual program includes drama, documentaries, features, and short films that showcase new creators, emerging trends in storytelling, and cinema expression from talents in Africa and the diaspora. The goal is to discover, nurture, and promote African filmmakers, actors, and their work, connecting the African film industry with the global cinema community.
Since its inception, AFRIFF’s impact on the Nigerian and African film industries has been nothing short of transformative. It has given so many actors and filmmakers the visibility they craved, providing a much-needed platform for emerging African talents to shine. This festival has also played a key role in improving the quality of African films and attracting international recognition from near and far.
Empowering the next generation of African storytellers
Before founding AFRIFF, Ude, one of Africa’s most successful business leaders and media executives, understood the power of supporting up-and-coming talent. At the time this initiative started, the African film industry, while brimming with potential, faced many challenges. From limited funding and infrastructure to piracy and distribution issues, filmmakers faced challenges that attempted to stifle their creativity. AFRIFF and Ude, however, became a major part of overcoming these obstacles for many Nigerian filmmakers.
The initiative has become a nurturing ground for young filmmakers through mentorship programs, workshops, and masterclasses. These training sessions have launched the careers of countless talented individuals, giving them a platform to tell their stories and share their perspectives with the world.
But it’s not just the younger generations that leverage this platform. At AFRIFF, the young, the middle, and the older ones find their niche and learn something new. Hundreds of films launched at the festival have also reached new audiences worldwide.
One of the most promising avenues AFRIFF provides for growth is through international co-productions. The festival has become a platform for international filmmakers to meet and exchange ideas, production connections, and business relationships. This is improving the quality of African films and increasing their global impact.
Chioma Ude’s vision for the future of Africa cinema
Chioma Ude believes that African cinema has the power to challenge stereotypes, inspire social change, and promote intercultural understanding. She dreams of a future where African stories capture the hearts of global audiences and where African filmmakers are celebrated internationally. Until then, the serial entrepreneur is not done innovating and making an impact. She is focused on creating and supporting new opportunities to improve the narrative about Africa by training and empowering young individuals.
From the 3rd to the 8th of November, 2024, Chioma Ude will go on another round of hosting the 13th edition of the African International Film Festival at The Palms, Lekki Landmark Centre, Victoria Islands, Lagos, Nigeria. The week-long event themed: “Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity”, will include award shows, Masterclasses, and special movie screenings.
