AFRIFF 2026 Is Under Way in Lagos With 23 African Features and a Film Market Expecting 1,500 People

A Hollywood actor on the red carpet, a Nollywood debut on the opening screen and a film market aiming for more than double last year's turnout. The 15th Africa International Film Festival is in its fourth day in Lagos, and the programme runs for three more.

How AFRIFF 2026 Opened

AFRIFF opened on Sunday, 1st November, under the theme "Frames of the Future: Africa's Creative Intelligence". The international guests included Meagan Good, Jonathan Majors and Djimon Hounsou, who is the festival's guest of honour. Nollywood names including Rita Dominic, Wale Ojo, Osas Ighodaro and Toni Tones were also there, along with festival founder Chioma Ude.

The evening ended with a screening of Lady, the debut feature written and directed by Olive Nwosu, about a Lagos female cab driver whose routine life changes when an old friend pulls her into late-night adventures.

The Films

This year's festival has 23 features in a selection of 135 titles. Variations on a Theme, a South African film that won a Tiger Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, screens on 4th November. The Kenya-Nigeria co-production One Woman One Bra screens on 6th November, and the closing film, It's the Blackness by Hakeem Kae-Kazim, also screens that day. The Globe Awards follow on 7th November.

Other titles include Hadda, Which Way, Slum Bomber, Mabanda and Abeni and Her Daughters' Mother.

The Film Market

The second Africa Film and Content Market runs from 2nd to 5th November at Twinwaters in Lekki, with a target of 1,500 participants. The inaugural edition in 2025 drew more than 700. Delegations are expected from Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, France, Sweden and the United States.

Sessions include a women in film focus on 4th November and discussions on African productions and co-productions on 5th November. Meagan Good is set for a fireside conversation at the market, and Djimon Hounsou is expected to present his short film Calabash and join a panel on presenting African stories to global audiences.

How to Attend

Ticketed screenings are new this year, but the Obi Adada Foundation is covering the cost of tickets so audiences can attend for free. Check the festival's official channels for the screening schedule before you go.

For filmmakers watching from the sidelines, PINCHED's interview with filmmaker Prosper Light shows what building a studio without investors looks like.

Frequently Asked Questions

When Is AFRIFF 2026?

The 15th Africa International Film Festival runs from 1st to 7th November 2026 in Lagos.

What Was the Opening Film at AFRIFF 2026?

Lady, the debut feature by Nigerian director Olive Nwosu, opened the festival on 1st November.

Are AFRIFF 2026 Screenings Free?

Screenings are ticketed this year, but the Obi Adada Foundation is covering the cost so audiences can attend for free.

What Is the Africa Film and Content Market?

It is the festival's industry market, running from 2nd to 5th November at Twinwaters in Lekki, with a target of 1,500 participants.