AfroCannes will return in 2025 with an even stronger emphasis on Afro-Futurism and African innovation in film, solidifying its status as a key platform for African and diaspora creatives at the Cannes Film Festival.
Launched in 2022 alongside its sister project in Berlin, AfroBerlin, it has since emerged as a flagship platform for dialogue on African and diaspora narratives within the international cinema discourse. Hosted by the Yanibes Foundation, a non-profit organisation, AfroCannes continues to prioritise cultural exchange, diversity, and the evolving face of African storytelling.
The theme for 2025, centred on the transformative power of Afro-Futurism, will explore how African futures, histories, and cultures intersect under one cinematic roof. The 2025 edition will feature screenings, spotlights on various countries, panel sessions, and invite-only networking activities to showcase emerging and established voices in African filmmaking.
Among the guest speakers in the “In Conversation” series are industry professionals such as Aaron Rashaan Thomas, Camille Pitanga, Gordon Bobb, Frédéric Chau, Syrinthia Studer, and Luis Lomenha. Additional panels will delve into the rise of Nigeria’s contemporary film industry and Afro-Asian cinematic intersections, featuring insights from Dr. Pushpinder Chowdhry and Afro-German filmmakers. The festival will include a special fireside chat with producer and world traveller Ernest White II.
Organisers emphasised the event’s goal of fostering authentic industry dialogue and amplifying underrepresented voices. “Representation isn’t confined to centre stage—it’s about inclusion at all levels of the creative and production process,” they stated in a pre-event announcement.
Open to professionals, artists, and fans alike, AfroCannes offers free access through pre-registration. The 2025 festival will take place at the Villa des Ministres in Cannes from 15th to 19th May 2025, attracting an international audience comprising directors, actors, producers, casting specialists, and investors.
Whether it’s about networking, discovering new talent, or activating innovative African and diasporic narrative voices, AfroCannes presents an inspiring vision for the future of film from a distinctly African perspective.
