The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has officially launched the AFRIFF Film & Content Market (AFCM), a new industry platform designed to connect African filmmakers with global distributors, financiers and studios. The market will debut November 3–6, 2025 in Lagos as part of the festival’s 14th edition.
L-R: Victor Okhai (Co-Founder, Directors’ Guild of Nigeria), Enyi Omeruah (Creative Economy Entrepreneur, EK782 Films). , Chioma Oyenwe (Founder, Raconteur Productions), Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Chioma Ude( Founder, AFRIFF), Victor Sanchez Aghahowa (Head of Production, Multichoice WA),Victor Okpala (CEO, Dope 7 Media) Latasha Ngwube (PR Director, AFRIFF)
AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude called the initiative “the bridge between creativity and commerce,” positioning it alongside global markets such as Cannes’ Marché du Film and the Berlinale’s European Film Market.
The inaugural session, themed “Curtains Up!”, featured remarks from Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of Nigeria’s National Film and Video Censors Board, who said: “Africa is ready to move from content creation to structured, global content commerce. Our stories deserve not only to be told, but to travel, to earn, and to transform lives.”
International insight came from Dennis Ruh, former head of the Berlinale’s European Film Market, who urged African filmmakers to build stronger relationships with buyers and co-production partners.
A panel led by Victor Okhai brought together leading industry voices — including Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, Victor Okpala, Chioma Onyenwe and Enyi Omeruah — for a conversation on financing, infrastructure and positioning African cinema for export.
Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Hannatu Musa Musawa has previously pledged federal backing, describing AFRIFF’s new market as “a critical step toward placing African cinema on the global stage.”
With Nollywood producing more than 2,500 films a year, the AFCM arrives at a pivotal moment for Africa’s creative economy. “It’s a call for Africa’s storytellers to own their place in the global marketplace,” said Ude.
