….Names ‘Lady’ Opening Film, Adds Paid Ticketing, New Award Category
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has officially lifted the curtain on key highlights for its milestone 15th edition, announcing its much-anticipated opening and closing films during a high-profile press conference in Lagos.
Olive Nwosu’s critically acclaimed feature Lady has been selected as the opening night film, while veteran actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim’s directorial debut, It’s the Blackness, will serve as the closing feature for the week-long celebration of African and global cinema running from November 1 to 7.
Written and directed by Nwosu, Lady follows a Lagos cab driver who forms an unexpected bond with a group of sex workers. The Nigerian-British production boasts an ensemble cast featuring Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah, Amanda Oruh, Tinuade Jemiseye, Seun Kuti, and Bucci Franklin.
The screening marks the film’s first official festival outing on the African continent following prestigious international stops at Sundance, where it clinched the Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble, as well as Berlinale and the BFI London Film Festival.
Meanwhile, the closing film It’s the Blackness is a British dark comedy penned by Dapo Oshiyemi. Chronicling the lives of two Black graduates navigating unemployment, romance, and familial expectations, the feature stars Daniel Davids, Matthew Morrison, Dolapo Oni, and Kalu Ikeagwu.
Zimbabwean-born film curator Keith Shiri has been named festival programmer and jury coordinator. His previous experience includes work with the London African Film Festival and programme advisory roles at the BFI London Film Festival and Venice Film Festival.
Other members of the international jury are Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Fibby Kioria, Blessing Uzzi, Jerry Chiemeke, Michel Tabet, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Femi Elufowoju Jr., Ahmed Al Othman and Jemilah Alghali.
Expanding Horizons: AI Labs, Markets, and Diverse Storytelling
Organizers also revealed that 85 percent of the selected films for this year’s festival are either directed by women or center around women’s narratives, highlighting AFRIFF’s strong commitment to diverse representation.
The festival’s robust programming includes:
Special Presentations: Featuring high-profile international and diaspora titles such as Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value (in partnership with the Norwegian Embassy), Walter Thompson-Hernandez’s If I Go Will They Miss Me, Marco Bellocchio’s The Traitor, and Kaelo Iyizoba’s TIFF-premiered The Spectacular Death of Prisca.
AI Filmmaking Labs: Rise Interactive Studios founder Toyosi Akerele will host a dedicated AI content and filmmaking lab in collaboration with TikTok on November 6, complemented by specialized masterclasses.
AFRIFF Film & Content Market (AFCM): Scheduled from November 2 to 5, the four-year market connects filmmakers with investors, buyers, and global distributors, with select pitched projects earning slots at the prestigious Goes to Cannes programme next year.
New Accolades: Partnering with Pulse Nigeria to introduce the Pulse Rising Filmmaker Award as part of the Globe Awards.
The festival will also feature workshops led by industry figures, including Hilda Dokubo, Yolanda Okereke, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Angel Kristi Williams, Kirby Griffin, Alakpa Uduoghene and Obinna Okerekeocha.
In a structural shift for this year’s edition, AFRIFF has introduced paid ticketing for screenings and select events to enhance accessibility management as the festival prepares to welcome global industry leaders to Lagos
