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If you have ever tried to build a creative career in Nigeria, you already know how it goes. You run into tight budgets, doors slamming in your face, and walls at every turn.
That exact struggle is why the third edition of the IMOIFF Creatives and Film Festival, which people used to call the Imo International Film Festival, feels so different this time around.
When the festival hits Owerri from November 26 to 28, 2026, it is bringing way more than just a lineup of movie screenings. The big driving force this year is a powerful Igbo word: ‘Kwechịrị’. It means standing your ground, refusing to give up when life gets heavy, and just pushing through.
For the festival founder, Izu Okafor, and the team at Julob Entertainment, it’s a direct message to a whole generation of young African creators telling them to keep going and figure out how to make a real, lasting living from their art.
Instead of just sitting back and watching films, this year is all about rolling up your sleeves and learning practical skills. Thanks to a partnership with Imo State University’s Theatre Arts and Film/Multimedia departments, about 200 young participants are stepping into the Creative Training Academy for hands-on classes in camera work, directing, writing, and digital media.
When it comes to the panels and masterclasses, nobody is here to give boring lectures. Industry leaders like cultural advocate Ogechi Obilonu (Nwanyi Owerri), veteran filmmaker Steve Ahanonu, Frances Otuechere, and Mr. Omenyi Christopher (Ozu Nollywood) are showing up to share real-world game.
If you are waiting to see who actually made the official cut for the festival, those movie nominations drop during the third week of October.
The whole event wraps up with a massive awards night to give credit where it’s due. The festival is handing out honours right down the line from big storytelling categories like Best Short Film, Best Documentary, Best Feature, and Best International Film, to standout performances for Best Actor, Best Actor (Female), and Best Film Student.
They are also giving major love to modern media by celebrating digital creators and music masterminds with awards for Content Creator, Music Video Director, and Music Video of the Year. Of course, they aren’t forgetting the brilliant minds handling editing, cinematography, screenplay, sound design, and directing behind the scenes either.
The three-day festival is taking over multiple spots across Owerri, with exact venues dropping soon.
