The Africa Films For Impact Festival (AFFIF), one of the continent’s leading platforms for human rights and social impact cinema, has successfully concluded its 2025 edition in Abuja, Nigeria. The three-day festival, held from October 29th to 31st at Silverbird Cinemas, brought together filmmakers, activists, civil society leaders, development organizations, and global partners under the transformative theme “Be The Change.”
Now in its 4th year, AFFIF, a brain child of Bright Wonder Obasi, award-winning film/TV director, impact producer, and social justice advocate, continues to cement its role as a vital space for African stories that challenge injustice, amplify marginalized voices, and influence regional and global conversations on governance, gender, climate change, migration, and human dignity.
A Pan-African Showcase of Impactful Storytelling
AFFIF 2025 featured:
40 curated films from across Africa and the diaspora.
Stories addressing gender-based violence, forced migration, corruption, climate vulnerability, women’s rights, youth organizing, disability inclusion, and democratic accountability.
Over 700 in-person participants and 35,000+ digital engagements from audiences in Africa, Europe, and North America.
7 expert-led panel sessions, 8 masterclasses, and two talent development labs for emerging filmmakers and actors.
The festival created a powerful intersection between cinema, activism, development policy, and cultural diplomacy, advancing new pathways for international collaboration.
Internationally Relevant Films Take Center Stage
Among the festival’s most talked-about screenings was The Burning by Isabella Alexander-Nathani (USA) — a landmark documentary on African migration across the Mediterranean. Its AFFIF screening was followed by a high-level panel discussion involving migration experts, human rights advocates, and civil society groups.
Other standout films included the Nigerian drama The Boy Who Gave, the UK-produced Lobito Bound, and socially charged Nigerian works like Kaka (women empowerment) and Dying for Water (climate justice).
AFFIF 2025 also presented award winners for the night.
The festival’s closing night honored outstanding achievements in socially conscious storytelling:
Best Narrative Film: The Boy Who Gave (Nigeria)
Best Documentary: The Burning — Isabella Alexander-Nathani (USA)
Best Film on Gender-Based Violence: Voices Within (Nigeria)
Best Film on Women Empowerment: Kaka (Nigeria)
Best Film on Democracy & Accountability: Lobito Bound (UK)
Best Film on Human Trafficking & Migration: The Burning — Isabella Alexander-Nathani (USA)
Best Film on Climate Change: Dying for Water (Nigeria)
Best Monologue (Actor’s Showcase): Harmony Ezekiel (Nigeria)
Jury Choice Award: The Boy Who Gave (Nigeria)
Special Recognition Awards: Steve Gukas, Chris Odeh, Biodun Stephen, Uchenna Mbunabo
For outstanding contributions to African cinema.
Leadership & Industry Influence
AFFIF is spearheaded by Bright Wonder Obasi, an award-winning film director, producer, and social justice advocate whose work blends cinema and civic engagement. The jury for AFFIF 2025 was chaired by celebrated filmmaker Steve Gukas, alongside acclaimed Nigerian filmmakers Biodun Stephen and Chris Odeh.
International engagement this year included participants and observers from UN agencies, European development, embassies, and civil society partners seeking to integrate film into advocacy, research, and social programming.
A Growing Global Platform for Social Impact Cinema
AFFIF has, since 2020, evolved into a strategic continental hub for films that address development challenges aligned with the SDGs, especially those related to migration, human trafficking, governance, gender equity, women and youth empowerment, climate action, and human rights, including rights of persons with disability.
The festival is committed to:
Expanding cross-border collaboration between African and international filmmakers.
Strengthening cultural diplomacy and impact-driven storytelling.
Supporting African creatives through fellowships, training labs, and funding pathways.
AFFIF 2026 Announced: “Reimagine Africa — Storytelling for Transformation”
Building on the momentum of 2025, AFFIF has announced its 2026 theme:
“Reimagine Africa: Storytelling for Transformation”
AFFIF 2026 will introduce expanded film markets, co-production forums, and international partnership opportunities for NGOs, governments, and cultural institutions.
Contact Information
Africa Films For Impact Festival (AFFIF)
Abuja, Nigeria
Email: affif.com.ng@gmail.com
Phone: +234 8037998414
Website: www.affif.com.ng
About AFFIF
The Africa Films For Impact Festival is a premier Pan-African event that leverages the power of film to challenge injustice, advance social justice, and promote inclusive development. Each year, AFFIF convenes filmmakers, advocates, policymakers, and global partners committed to shaping Africa’s future through powerful storytelling.
AFFIF 2025 is proudly supported by:
Movies That Matter (Netherlands); European Union Delegation to Nigeria and Ecowas; Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria;
Embassy of Finland in Nigeria; Paradigm Initiative;
Nigeria Film Corporation
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB); others include; Dorothy Njemanze Foundation;
Association of Movie Producers (AMP);
Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN) and
Actors Guild of Nigeria.
