| Image:X |
Founder of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), Chioma Ude, has announced a historic milestone for the festival as it becomes the first African film festival to be featured on the official “Goes to Cannes” platform at the Marché du Film in Cannes, France.
The recognition marks a major breakthrough for African cinema on the global stage, positioning AFRIFF as a key gateway for filmmakers across the continent seeking international visibility, funding, and distribution opportunities.
Speaking at the event in Cannes, Ude described the achievement as a defining moment not only for AFRIFF but for African storytelling as a whole. She noted that the festival, which began as a vision to create space for African filmmakers, has evolved into a major platform that supports talent development, industry networking, and cross-border collaboration.
According to her, AFRIFF has spent over 16 years building systems that nurture filmmakers and connect African stories to global audiences.
She added that the new recognition would further strengthen opportunities for co-productions between African creators and international partners, while also improving access to wider distribution channels.
Ude also highlighted the importance of the selected filmmakers who represented AFRIFF at the showcase, praising their dedication and commitment to developing their projects to an international standard. She said their participation reflects the growing quality and competitiveness of African cinema.
In a post shared on social media, she celebrated the milestone, describing it as a proud moment for both AFRIFF and the continent. She emphasized that the platform will help open doors for deeper creative exchange between Africa and the global film industry.
Founded in 2010 and based in Lagos, AFRIFF has grown into one of Africa’s most influential film festivals, featuring screenings, training programmes, and industry networking sessions aimed at empowering filmmakers.
Organisers say the festival has already trained more than 10,000 young creatives and continues to expand its reach through initiatives like its film and content market.
This year’s “Goes to Cannes” showcase featured projects such as Family Secrets, Insight, Ashawo, Achalugo, and The Boy and His King, representing countries including Nigeria, Rwanda, and South Africa.
The milestone further reinforces AFRIFF’s growing reputation as a bridge between African storytelling and the global entertainment industry.
#ViralContent
#ExclusiveUpdate
Leave a Reply