The 15th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is scheduled to be held from Sunday, November 1, to Saturday, November 7, 2026, in Lagos.

Taking place under the theme “Frames of the Future: Africa’s Creative Intelligence,” the festival is expected to feature various events aimed at celebrating African cinema and the creative minds shaping its future. It will also spotlight innovation, investment and enterprise in African cinema, exploring how African stories are created, financed, experienced and shared with the world.

The festival, founded by Chioma Ude, will celebrate the people and ideas driving the next chapter of African cinema. 

At the official AFRIFF Press and Stakeholders Conference held on Thursday, October 15, Ude presented the festival’s upcoming programme and highlighted its focus on strengthening industry connections and creating sustainable opportunities for African filmmakers. 

The conference brought together prominent industry figures, including the Director-General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, and France’s Consul General in Lagos, Laurent Favier, to discuss the festival’s lineup and international partnerships.

The 2026 edition will open with Lady, directed by Olive Nwosu, while the closing screening will feature The Blackness, the directorial debut of Hakeem Kae-Kazim. The festival will also present a special selection of films from Nigerian, African and international filmmakers, showcasing diverse stories and perspectives from across the industry.

Among the international selections is The Traitor, directed by celebrated Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio and presented by the Italian Embassy. The screening further strengthens AFRIFF’s international partnerships and highlights the role of cultural exchange in connecting African cinema with the global film community.

AFRIFF 2026 will also welcome American actress Danielle Brooks as a special guest. Brooks will feature in a special presentation of If I Go Will They Miss Me, directed by Walter Thompson-Hernández, followed by a fireside conversation moderated by Barkue Tubman-Zawolo. Another highlight is Calabash, a short film presented by the festival’s Guest of Honour, Hollywood actor Djimon Hounsou.

The festival is also expected to welcome Hollywood actors Jonathan Majors and Meagan Good, adding to the gathering of international talent and industry figures at this year’s edition.

Additionally, the festival will host the AFRIFF Content Market, a four-day programme designed to connect filmmakers, producers, investors, distributors and other industry stakeholders. The platform will provide opportunities for networking and collaboration, with discussions focused on financing, distribution and the business of filmmaking.

In a change to its initial plans, this year’s film screenings will be free to attend following the intervention of Obi Adada Foundation, which is covering screening tickets for all attendees. The decision removes the planned admission charges, making the festival’s film programme accessible to a wider audience.

With international guests, special film presentations and industry-focused programmes, AFRIFF 2026 aims to celebrate African storytelling while strengthening the partnerships, investment and creative opportunities needed to expand the continent’s influence in global cinema.