Entry opens for AFRIFF 2022

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has announced its Call for Entries for its 11th Edition in November 2022.

Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos to herald the award, founder and festival director Ms Chioma Ude said, “I am delighted to open entries for our 11th-anniversary edition. Following Amazon’s acquisition of films from AFRIFF’s film catalogue last year, we are now strategically positioned to help filmmakers distribute their titles with our landmark partnership with international streaming platforms. We also had Byron Allen’s Entertainment Studios pick up two movies from the festival.

“This year, we are already in talks with a multitude of streaming platforms interested in licensing and acquiring films from the festival  We are proud to present this year’s programme themed Indigenous For Global, dedicated to the incredible opportunities Amazon Prime video and others offer Nigerian filmmakers going forward, enabling us to dream and continue to innovate and create exciting and vibrant experiences for our Audience,” she said.

Submissions for the 2022 edition of AFRIFF are now officially open and will run till July 30, 2022. General entries will be accepted until July 1st with a late entry deadline set for July 30th, 2022. Filmmakers are encouraged to submit entries early with the regular deadline as late entry submissions will be strictly accepted only via waiver code.

Festival selections include fiction and non-fiction films both domestic and international, features and shorts, impact-driven documentaries and Animation with an emphasis on films that have not been premiered on commercial screens. 

Only those films produced after January 1st of 2021 are eligible for competition. Films produced before 2021 may be accepted in the programme if their story speaks to the programme theme or AFRIFF programmers think it suits the programme. However, films of any nationality and language can participate.

Non English must be subtitled and submissions will only be accepted through AFRIFF’s filmfreeway page. There are no limits to the number of entries a filmmaker may enter, but these have to be submitted separately. Meanwhile, AFRIFF does not require premiere status; however, it will prioritise premiere status for competition and screenings. 

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is the ultimate gathering of original storytellers and audiences seeking new voices in Cinema and fresh filmmaking perspectives. Its yearly programmes include dramatic, documentaries, features and short films; showcasing new creators, emerging trends in storytelling and cinematic expression from talents in Africa and the diaspora. It consistently delivers a rich programme to foster invaluable exchanges of ideas, production connections, and business relationships. It creates an exciting hub for entertainment industry professionals to make rewarding connections and has gradually gained a reputation as the most vibrant festival experience in Africa. Since 2010, hundreds of films launched at the festival have gone on to gain critical acclaim and reach new audiences worldwide.