Chioma Ude founded the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2010 with a clear mission: to create a platform showcasing the diverse talents of the African filmmaking community while connecting them with the global film industry. With a background in marketing and logistics, Ude was well-versed in the entertainment space, previously working as a project manager for the ION International Film Festival. This experience inspired her to establish a festival focused on the entire African continent rather than Nigeria.
Fifteen years later, AFRIFF has become a significant event on the film calendar, occurring annually in November. Through its Talent Development Program, the festival has trained over 10,000 young adults across 12 African countries and attracted international stars like John Boyega and Ryan Coogler. In 2022, Coogler’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” had its African premiere there, with the director offering a masterclass.
Ude emphasises the importance of engaging Africa’s youthful population—70% of Africans are under 30—by expanding opportunities in the creative sector. However, she faced challenges, particularly in securing funding and educating people about the festival’s value. To combat this, Ude focused on building an industry around the festival that the government could not ignore, relying on sponsorships and private funding.
Looking ahead, Ude plans to introduce a formal market component to the festival to stimulate economic growth in the film sector. Noticing a rise in attendees from the African diaspora in 2024, she sees new partnership opportunities with other African nations as essential for future expansion. Ude remains committed to evolving AFRIFF, ensuring it adapts to industry trends while fostering creativity across the continent.
