New Afrik International Film Festival Launched to Champion African Stories and Build Industry Capacity
Stakeholders have officially announced the launch of the New Afrik International Film Festival (AIIF), with plans for its inaugural edition to take place in Port Harcourt in 2026.
The festival, unveiled at a press conference in Ikeja, Lagos, aims to highlight the richness of African cinema, foster collaboration among filmmakers, producers, and distributors, and raise the profile of African narratives globally.
Capacity Building at Its Core
Rather than focusing purely on glitz, AIIF emphasizes training and development. According to the festival’s Program Coordinator, filmmaker and cinematographer Toka McBaror, AIIF will host masterclasses, workshops, and hands-on training for emerging creatives.
McBaror stressed that Africans telling their own stories is central to the festival’s mission:
“No one can describe my mother’s kitchen better than I … If someone else tells our story, they won’t tell it like we did.”
To ensure quality, the festival plans to use “close submission”, limiting the number of film entries so each selected film can be properly screened and supported.
Funding and Long-Term Vision
The CEO of AIIF, Isaac Nwankpa, shared that funding for the festival is already in place. He views AIIF not just as a cultural event, but as a long-term investment in Africa’s creative economy.
Nwankpa also revealed plans to forge international partnerships to support the production of bigger African films. Starting in January, AIIF will run structured training programs for directors, screenwriters, and other film professionals, with seasoned industry players serving as mentors.
Measured Growth Strategy
McBaror admitted that the first edition will be modest, but intentional: “We are cutting our cloth according to our material… as small and impactful as possible.”
He likened the festival’s growth to building a foundation, beginning in Nigeria, before scaling to other parts of Africa.
AIIF’s leaders hope the festival will become a recurring continental platform, celebrating African creativity and providing a sustainable space for African filmmakers to grow, connect, and tell authentic stories.