Events

AFRIFF 2025 Shines Bright with Glamour, Global Stars

Published

1 year 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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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.