Abuja will host the 2025 edition of the Africa Films for Impact Festival (AFFIF) from October 29 to 31, with the event set to spotlight how storytelling can drive social justice, inclusion, and accountability across the continent.
Now in its fourth edition, the festival, organised by the Films for Impact Foundation, will take place at Silverbird Cinemas under the theme “Be The Change.” It will bring together filmmakers, activists, policymakers, and creatives from across Africa and beyond to explore how film can influence governance, gender equity, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
According to the organisers, the three-day festival will feature screenings of 40 films, including dramas, documentaries, and short features addressing key social and political issues. The programme will also include workshops, interactive discussions, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and development partners.
Key activities include the Films for Impact Fellowship, a development lab for emerging African filmmakers, and the Actors Workshop and Showcase, designed to train and expose performers to industry professionals. Other highlights are the Impact Pitch Forum, where filmmakers will present socially driven projects for funding and mentorship, and the Spotlight Session, which will showcase underrepresented films and the work of non-governmental organisations advancing community change.
The festival will conclude with the Impact Awards Ceremony, recognising outstanding films and individuals whose work aligns with the festival’s values. Awards will be given in categories such as Best Feature Film, Best Documentary, Best Film on Women Empowerment and Gender Equity, Best Film on Democracy and Accountability, and Best Film on Climate Change. There will also be a Lifetime Achievement Award and an Audience Choice Award.
The jury for the 2025 edition will be chaired by veteran filmmaker Steve Gukas, with Nigerian directors Biodun Stephen and Chris Odeh also serving as members. The panel is expected to uphold the festival’s commitment to rewarding films that reflect integrity and innovation in addressing Africa’s social realities.
Festival Director and Founder of the Films for Impact Foundation, Bright Wonder Obasi, said the initiative aims to position cinema as a tool for awareness and transformation.
“At AFFIF, we believe film is not just entertainment — it’s a tool for justice, empathy, and transformation,” Obasi said. “This year, we invite Africa and the world to not just watch, but Be The Change.”
He also encouraged collaboration among corporate brands, NGOs, embassies, and media organisations, saying such partnerships could advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through creative engagement.
The festival’s organisers described AFFIF as a growing platform for young African filmmakers and activists to showcase work that highlights societal challenges while proposing solutions through storytelling.
The 2025 edition will run from October 29 to 31 at Silverbird Cinemas, Abuja. Further information is available at www.filmsforimpact.org.
