Events

AFRIFF 2025 Shines Bright with Glamour, Global Stars

Published

10 months ago

November 6, 2025

AFRIFF 2025 dazzled in Lagos with global stars, celebrating African cinema, creativity, and cultural excellence

AFRIFF 2025 lit up Lagos in breathtaking fashion as stars, filmmakers, and cultural icons gathered for the 14th Annual Africa International Film Festival on 2 November 2025.

Also read: AFRIFF 2025 Opens in Lagos with Afrobeats Film Theme

It was a night that captured the very essence of African creativity, elegance, and storytelling brilliance.

The red carpet sparkled with an array of celebrity appearances, including the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, alongside Nollywood favourites Rita Dominic, Uche Jombo, Ruth Kadiri, Kunle Remi, Omowunmi Dada, Williams Uchemba, and Sunshine Rosman.

Also gracing the event were Tunde Onakoya, the Guinness World Record-holding chess champion, and Adenike Adeleke (Nikos Living), adding glamour and social flair to the night.

AFRIFF’s founder, Chioma Ude, made a stunning entrance, embodying elegance and poise as she welcomed guests to another remarkable edition of the festival — one that continues to define African cinema’s golden era.

A major highlight came with the appearance of Hollywood actor David Oyelowo and his wife Jessica Oyelowo, honoured with the prestigious Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence for their outstanding contributions to global film and creativity.

During his address, Oyelowo expressed excitement about new ventures in Nigeria, including a planned Apple and Idris Elba adaptation of Things Fall Apart, scheduled to begin production in 2026.

The night also featured the world premiere of 3 Cold Dishes, a gripping pan-African revenge thriller executive produced by Burna Boy and actress Osas Ighodaro.

Director Asurf Olaniyi shared insights into the film’s creation, calling it “a bold African story told with global heart.” The film hits cinemas across Africa and the UK on 7 November 2025.

In a heartfelt moment, Minister Musawa presented Chioma Ude with a personal artwork, honouring her visionary impact on African film and culture.

Another memorable highlight was the presentation of the Herbert Wigwe Award of Excellence to Nigeria’s Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, and Delta State Governor, both represented by Musawa and Deputy Governor Sir Monday John Onyeme respectively — a proud recognition of leadership and dedication to the arts.

Also read: AFRIFF 2025 Launches Film Market, Boosts Lagos Tourism

As the festival opened, the atmosphere buzzed with promise. AFRIFF 2025 is not merely a film event — it is a celebration of art, unity, and African excellence, setting the tone for a transformative week of cinema, creativity, and collaboration.

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Events

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

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Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”