Africa International Film Festival

What Africa International Film Festival does

Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is a Lagos-based non-profit organisation founded in 2010 by Ms. Chioma Ude that operates Africa's premier international film festival. The annual event runs over seven days in Lagos and combines competitive film screenings (Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Animations, Student Shorts) across 100+ country submissions, the Globe Awards, industry sessions, masterclasses, and networking programming. In its 14th edition (November 2-8, 2025), AFRIFF introduced the AFRIFF Film & Content Market (AFCM), Nigeria's first dedicated film and content marketplace, designed to facilitate content licensing, co-production deals, and distribution agreements between creators and global buyers.

The underlying technology stack is light: AFRIFF runs a Wix-hosted marketing site, a separate AFCM web app (afcm.app), an active YouTube channel, and uses FilmFreeway for film submission management. There are no proprietary AI/ML capabilities, no mobile apps, and no public API. The AFCM marketplace is the most significant technology and product expansion to date and represents the strategic pivot from showcase to commercial platform.

The business model is event-driven sponsorship and partnership funded. Direct revenue streams include corporate sponsorships (MTN, Filmhouse, Mikano, Dentsu, Martell, Air Peace, Disney, Amazon, Netflix, MultiChoice, Afreximbank/CANEX), registration fees for industry tiers, and submission fees processed via FilmFreeway. General festival attendance is offered complimentary courtesy of partners. Customer segments span African and diaspora independent filmmakers, emerging filmmakers and students, distributors and streaming platforms, production companies, corporate sponsors, and general cinema audiences. The organisation is privately held by its founder, has 1-10 employees, and has no disclosed external funding.

Name

Africa International Film Festival

Legal name

Africa International Film Festival

Website

https://afriff.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

AFRIFF is a Lagos-based non-profit that runs Africa's premier international film festival, serving African and diaspora filmmakers, distributors, and streaming platforms through competitive screenings, masterclasses, the Globe Awards, and the newly launched AFCM content marketplace.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival & Content Market

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Distribution (51212), Motion Picture and Video Exhibition (51213)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYMPADAJAA

Theatrical Distribution (Domestic)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Distribution (Theatrical, Home Entertainment, International Sales)

Keywords

• Film festival organization
• Content marketplace platform
• Filmmaking masterclasses
• Screenwriting training programs
• Film industry events

Headquarters

HQ city

Lagos

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Sponsorship & Partnerships: Corporate sponsors and partners fund the festival operations. Sponsors include MTN, Filmhouse, Mikano, Dentsu, Martell, Air Peace, and others who receive branding, publicity, and access benefits.
2. Registration Fees: The festival charges registration fees for general attendees, industry professionals, and special guest categories. Some festival components are offered free courtesy of partners.
3. Film Submissions: Filmmakers submit films through FilmFreeway platform for official selection and competition in various categories including Features, Documentaries, Shorts, Animations, and Student Shorts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

AFRIFF hosts an annual international film festival in Lagos, Nigeria featuring competitive film screenings, masterclasses, industry sessions, and the Globe Awards. The organization also operates the AFRIFF Film & Content Market (AFCM), a B2B marketplace launched in 2025 that facilitates content licensing, distribution deals, and co-production partnerships between African filmmakers and global buyers.

Product overview

AFRIFF operates as a comprehensive film festival platform consisting of the Africa International Film Festival (core annual event), the AFRIFF Film & Content Market (AFCM) marketplace component, Globe Awards ceremony, Industry Sessions panels, Masterclass Program, AFRIFF Academy educational offerings, and the CANEX Script to Screen Programme. The ecosystem is designed to support the complete film industry lifecycle from development through distribution, combining festival screenings with commercial marketplace activities and professional development programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AFRIFF Globe Awards: The prize-giving component of the Africa International Film Festival that honors excellence in African and diaspora cinema.
• AFRIFF Academy
• CANEX X GIZ Masterclass

Quantifiable outcome

• Platform for Nollywood's $14.8 billion industry projection by 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature1 record

Partnerships

20 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• MTNcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 November 2025Strategic partnership between AFRIFF and MTN, Africa's largest telecommunications company, to revolutionize the African film industry by creating new avenues for filmmakers and promoting indigenous content. Through MTN's extensive network, filmmakers gain opportunities for global exposure and distribution.
• GIZ (Moving Pictures Project)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIZ Moving Pictures Project collaborates with AFREXIMBANK and CANEX on masterclasses focused on film distribution, intellectual property registration, and social impact campaigns. Programs include workshops on revenue generation, exit options, and legal tools for filmmakers.
• Filmhouse GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilmhouse Group is a key infrastructure partner providing cinema venues (FilmHouse Twin Waters, FilmHouse Landmark Centre) for festival screenings and events.
• Landmark CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLandmark Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos serves as the primary venue for AFRIFF masterclasses, workshops, and industry sessions.
• The Walt Disney CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation with AFRIFF for the African premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in November 2022. Disney worked with FilmOne Entertainment and AFRIFF to host the premiere in Lagos ahead of Africa-wide theatrical release.
• FilmOne EntertainmentcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFilmOne Entertainment is a key distribution partner for AFRIFF, handling theatrical releases including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever across English West African territories. Co-founded by Moses Babatope.
• Amazon StudioscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAmazon Studios partnered with AFRIFF for events including Ryan Coogler masterclass and has acquired African content through the festival's network of filmmakers.
• NetflixcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetflix has partnered with AFRIFF filmmakers and acquired content including Lionheart (Genevieve Nnaji's directorial debut). Netflix is highlighted as a key platform for showcasing African cinema to global audiences.
• University for the Creative Arts (UCA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUCA and AFRIFF partnership includes short courses, masterclasses, exchanges of academic and technical staff, student exchange programmes, collaborative research, and developmental projects to nurture creative talent.
• Embassy of JapanminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Embassy of Japan in Nigeria hosts Japan Day @ AFRIFF, celebrating Japanese cinema and culture within the festival through screenings, networking, and cultural exchange sessions.
• Japan FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-host of Japan Day @ AFRIFF with Embassy of Japan, supporting cultural exchange between Japan and Africa's film communities.
• Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative EconomycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Nigerian Federal Ministry reinforces Nigeria's role in the global creative economy and provides institutional support for the festival.
• Lagos State GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLagos State Government provides support for AFRIFF as part of efforts to position Lagos as Africa's film hub.
• SPCINE (São Paulo Film Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with São Paulo's film agency includes Brazil Showcase at AFRIFF, featuring Brazilian filmmakers and films, facilitating cross-cultural collaboration between Brazilian and African film industries.
• Africa No Filter (ANF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the Africa Narrative-Change Film Award celebrating films that tell African stories beyond stereotypes. Winning filmmaker receives $5,000.
• NEWF (Nature, Wildlife & Conservation Filmmakers)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEWF Producers' Lab Pitch collaboration offering West African early career storytellers the chance to produce 8-minute documentary shorts on nature/wildlife topics. Fellows receive ZAR 75,000 (~$4,500) grants.
• NEFTi Nigeria (IEFTA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNEFTi Nigeria Competition and Awards at AFRIFF celebrates emerging filmmakers with $5,000 first prize and $2,000 audience choice award. Sponsored by NEFT Vodka in partnership with LG Electronics.
• French Embassy in NigeriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInstitutional partner supporting Franco-African film collaboration and cultural exchange initiatives at AFRIFF.
• EbonyLife GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEbonyLife Group, led by Mo Abudu (Africa's 'most successful woman'), has partnerships with Netflix and Sony. AFRIFF hosts EbonyLife workshops on film distribution and legal tools.
• MultiChoicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMultiChoice (Showmax) is a key streaming partner for African content, with representation on AFRIFF jury and industry panels.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• MultiChoice / Showmax: Africa's largest pay-TV and streaming operator (MultiChoice) and its streaming platform Showmax. Comparable to AFRIFF as an acquirer and exhibition channel for African content sourced through African festivals and filmmakers.

Direct peers

• Zanzibar International Film Festival (ZIFF): The Zanzibar International Film Festival is one of the largest cultural events in East Africa, showcasing African and international cinema with industry workshops. Directly comparable to AFRIFF as a multi-day African film festival with educational programming.
• FESPACO (Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou): The Pan-African Film Festival held biennially in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. It is the largest African film festival by footprint and the most direct comparable to AFRIFF in mission — promoting African and diaspora cinema, screening competitions, and running an industry market.
• Durban International Film Festival (DIFF): South Africa's leading film festival, held annually in Durban. Comparable to AFRIFF as a competitive African film festival with industry programming, masterclasses, and a content market targeting the continent's filmmakers and distributors.

Broad incumbents

• Sundance Film Festival: The leading independent film festival globally, with a strong emphasis on discovery of new voices and an industry market. Comparable to AFRIFF in mission (championing independent and underrepresented filmmakers) though operating at significantly larger scale in the U.S. ecosystem.
• Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF): One of the world's most prestigious film festivals with a sizeable industry market and acquisition activity. Comparable to AFRIFF in combining competitive screenings, industry programming, and deal-making for international distribution.
• BFI London Film Festival: A major international film festival run by the British Film Institute. Comparable to AFRIFF in festival programming structure (screenings, industry sessions, awards) but at materially larger scale and with global rather than Africa-focused curation.
• Marché du Film (Cannes Film Market): The world's largest film market, run alongside the Cannes Film Festival, attracting over 15,000 industry professionals. Comparable to AFRIFF's AFCM marketplace as a B2B content trading venue, though at vastly larger scale and global scope.

Regional players

• FilmOne Entertainment: Nigeria's leading film distributor and producer, distributing major theatrical releases including Black Panther: Wakanda Forever across English-speaking West Africa. Comparable as a key Nigerian content distribution counterpart that participates in AFRIFF and acquires from the festival.
• Filmhouse Group: Nigeria's largest cinema chain and a core infrastructure partner of AFRIFF. Comparable as a Nigerian exhibition and distribution player within the same Nollywood ecosystem in which AFRIFF operates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/afriff
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRAMOfGnHuSSsZodGk_EKHA
• Facebookfacebook.com/Afriff
• Instagraminstagram.com/afriff

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Africa International Film Festival