The Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) launches its 23rd edition on Tuesday, October 20, running until October 24 in Nigeria’s federal capital. One of the city’s longest-running cultural events, it brings together African and international filmmakers for screenings, premieres, masterclasses, industry talks and an awards ceremony. Screenings are spread across several venues, including Silverbird Cinemas in the Central Business District, the Transcorp Hilton and the University of Abuja mini campus in Gwagwalada.
This year’s theme, “Frames Without Borders: AI, Ethics and the Future of Filmmaking”, puts the relationship between artificial intelligence and cinema at the centre of the programme. The subject comes at the right time for an African industry where AI tools are starting to change scriptwriting, editing, visual effects and dubbing, and where questions are already being raised about copyright, the protection of actors and access to technology for smaller productions.
The festival grew out of an idea Fidelis Duker had in 2003. The Nigerian director and producer, who began his career in 1988 writing drama for the public broadcaster NTA, still sits on the festival’s board as its founder. He served on the jury of FESPACO in 2023. The festival is now directed by Temitope Duker.
Over the years, AIFF has received more than 11,250 films from 115 countries, according to Nigeria’s Guardian newspaper, which describes it as the longest-running film festival in West Africa. The competition covers a wide range of categories, including Nigerian and international feature films, short films, documentaries, animation, student films and experimental cinema, as well as music score, cinematography, an audience award and best actor and actress.
This edition opens during a busy season for Nigerian cinema. Other festivals are expected before the end of the year, including the Zuma International Film Festival, organised in Abuja by the Nigerian Film Corporation. For AIFF, the challenge will be to show that after more than two decades it remains a place where the future of African filmmaking takes shape, at a time when technology is upending the way stories are told.