The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) has called on governments, private sector organisations, development partners and civil society groups to support the inaugural African Children’s Film Festival (ACFF) 2026, positioning the initiative as an important platform for developing Africa’s next generation of filmmakers, storytellers and creative professionals.
Speaking during the official launch of the festival in Abuja, AGN National President Abubakar Yakubu described the event as more than a film festival, saying it represents a long-term investment in empowering African children to tell authentic stories that reflect the continent’s diverse cultures, traditions and values.
The Guild is currently making efforts to develop strategic partnerships and sponsorships for the successful delivery of the festival and for children to find and develop their creative capacities in a safe environment, Yakubu said.
“We need partners who believe in the future of our children,” Yakubu said. “We are inviting government ministries, agencies, development organisations, NGOs and industry stakeholders to join us in creating a platform where young people can learn, create and thrive.”
He noted that the initiative seeks to encourage original storytelling rooted in African identity, while providing young participants with professional guidance and mentorship.
“Our children should be encouraged to tell stories that reflect who we are as Africans—our cultures, traditions and beliefs—rather than simply reproducing what they consume on social media,” Yakubu said. “Through proper mentorship, they will develop the skills to create authentic stories that belong to us.”
“Our children should be encouraged to tell stories that reflect who we are as Africans – our cultures, traditions and beliefs – and not just what we see on social media,” Yakubu added. They will learn to produce a credible story that is ours through good mentorship.
“The immediate goal is not financial returns,” he said. “Our focus is to help children express themselves creatively in ways that educate, inspire and entertain. The ideas and perspectives young people bring to storytelling have enormous potential to shape the future of African cinema.”
Also speaking at the launch, Beth Ogbuefi, Director of the African Children’s Film Festival, described the initiative as a continental movement dedicated to placing African children at the centre of storytelling.
Held under the theme “Our Stories, Our Lens, Our Voices,” the festival is open to children of African heritage between the ages of five and eighteen, regardless of where they live around the world.
Ogbuefi said the festival aims to transform perceptions of African children from passive consumers of content into active creators whose stories deserve international recognition.
“For too long, the stories of African children have been told by others,” she said. “The African Children’s Film Festival exists to give young Africans the opportunity to tell their own stories, share their own experiences and have their voices heard globally.”
Beyond film screenings and awards, the festival will feature scriptwriting programmes, directing opportunities, animation projects, digital storytelling workshops, masterclasses and mentorship sessions designed to equip participants with practical creative and technical skills.
“The festival is about building capacity as much as celebrating creativity,” Ogbuefi explained. “It will provide young people with valuable learning opportunities while showcasing the richness and diversity of African cultures.”
To maximise participation, organisers announced that registration will be free, enabling schools and children from across Africa and the diaspora to participate regardless of economic background.
The organisers have again appealed to governments, corporate organisations and development partners to support the initiative through sponsorships, funding and strategic collaborations that will help expand its reach and long-term impact.
The African Children’s Film Festival is part of an emerging trend to develop Africa’s creative economy through investment in young talent and developing opportunities in the film and digital media industry. There is a growing number of such programmes and works that will continue to shape the future of filmmakers, not only on the African continent, but globally, as industries continue to speak to the value of creative content on the continent. As industries continue to recognise the value of creative content in the African continent, programmes such as ACFF are expected to play a greater role in the future of the filmmakers, in preserving African heritage and in providing a platform for young people to engage in the global creative economy.
