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By Rita Okoye
The 2025 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) delivered a week of robust industry conversations as leading voices from film, music, fashion, and media examined the future of African storytelling.
A notable highlight was the panel “Rhythms of the Continent: The Afrobeat Movement and its Impact on African Films,” featuring Davido, Asa Asika, Dammy Twitch and producer Blessing Uzzi. Speakers discussed Afrobeats’ growing influence on African cinema and its role in shaping global creative trends.
In another session, BellaNaija Founder and CEO Uche Pedro led the panel “Behaviour Shift: Influencing Change through Narrative,” stressing the need to amplify emerging creators and prioritise authentic, impactful storytelling.
Rapper MI Abaga, Dr Sid and filmmaker Charles Opaleke took part in “Cinematic Harmonies,” where they examined the emotional power of soundtracks, the need for more structured collaboration between filmmakers and musicians, and the importance of funding to grow the creative economy. The festival also featured the “Women in Film” panel, where actress-producer Ini Edo encouraged women in the industry to remain focused and consistent, stressing the importance of building enduring creative legacies.
Hollywood actor and filmmaker David Oyelowo headlined a reflective fireside chat, urging African filmmakers to embrace authenticity while pursuing global opportunities, noting that “truth remains the artist’s greatest responsibility.”
Another major attraction was the fashion-focused panel “Fashion Meets Film: Costuming & Afrobeats Style in Nollywood,” with Latasha Ngwube, Folake Akindele, Qing Madi and Jennifer Oseh exploring how contemporary African fashion and Afrobeats aesthetics are increasingly shaping Nollywood’s visual narrative.
