African Film Press to Launch New Critics Prize at Lagos Surreal16 Festival
A groundbreaking new award, the AFP Critics Prize, will be introduced this December at the prestigious Surreal16 Film Festival in Lagos, spotlighting the often overlooked but vital role of African film critics in shaping the continent’s cinematic narrative.
A Platform for Critical African Voices
The African Film Press (AFP), an alliance of independent film platforms across Africa, including Akoroko, Sinema Focus, and What Kept Me Up, announced the initiative in a statement dated August 23, 2025. Backed by support from the German development agency GIZ and private sponsors, this move marks a deliberate push to elevate critical discourse within African festival culture.
The inaugural prize will be awarded by AFP’s founding editors, Tambay Obenson (Akoroko), Jennifer Ochieng (Sinema Focus), and Ikeade Oriade (What Kept Me Up). In future editions, the jury is set to expand to include critics from both the African continent and its diaspora.
The award package includes a cash prize, trophy, and certificate, offering tangible recognition to deserving filmmakers.
Why Surreal16 Was Chosen
AFP co-founder Tambay Obenson emphasized that Surreal16 was a natural launchpad for the prize given the festival’s bold focus and celebration of independent storytelling in African cinema.
Supporting this vision, CJ “Fiery” Obasi, co-founder of the Surreal16 Film Festival, expressed his excitement and said the collaboration was key to embedding African critics into festival conversations that shape cinematic narratives.
Looking Ahead: Expansion Across Africa
Building on its debut in Lagos, AFP plans to present the Critics Prize at four African film festivals annually, reinforcing its commitment to nurturing a robust critical landscape across the continent.
Background on Surreal16: Co-founded by Nigerian filmmakers CJ Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, Surreal16 has cultivated a reputation for championing bold curatorial voices in African cinema. The festival enjoys support from prominent partners like the French and Dutch embassies, the Goethe-Institut, and Sterling Bank. Notably, Obasi’s film Mami Wata earned the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance in 2023 and served as Nigeria’s submission to the 2024 Oscars.