Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) founder Chioma Ude has announced that the festival will represent Lagos at the “Goes to Cannes” programme of the Cannes Film Festival.
The 79th edition of the festival will host the initiative at the Marché du Film, placing Lagos alongside other film hubs such as Tokyo, Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro.
Ude shared the development on Instagram on Wednesday, alongside a video unveiling the selected filmmakers.
“We are proud to lead, proud to represent, and proud to open doors.
“Today, we celebrate a defining moment for AFRIFF; taking our filmmakers from Lagos to Cannes, from Africa to the global stage. As the first to do this at this scale, we carry our stories, talent, and the spirit of a thriving industry ready to be seen.
“Being a flag bearer for our country is both an honour and a responsibility. This is about visibility and opportunity. This is about placing Nigerian and African cinema exactly where it belongs: at the centre of global conversation. The journey continues. AFRIFF to the world. Join us May 16th at Marché du Cannes, Pavilion 1 as we make history.”
The showcase is scheduled to hold from May 15 to 18, at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.
As part of its participation, AFRIFF will host a two hour pitch session presenting selected works in progress to international sales agents, distributors and festival programmers.
Filmmakers selected for the programme include Emil Garuba, Dolly Nwadialo, Lilian Amah-Aluko, Hakym Reagan and Valencia Joshua.
The “Goes to Cannes” programme is designed to spotlight emerging film industries by giving producers and directors access to the global film market. It is a key segment of the Marché du Film, the business arm of the Cannes Film Festival, which connects creators with buyers, financiers and distributors.
Founded in 2010, AFRIFF has grown into one of Africa’s leading film platforms, known for film screenings, training programmes and industry networking events that support filmmakers across the continent.
