Chike Nwoffiah Advocates for Decolonizing African Storytelling, Calls for Cultural Authenticity

Chike Nwoffiah, an award-winning filmmaker, arts consultant, and cultural advocate, has long championed decolonizing African storytelling.

As the founder and director of the Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), Nwoffiah is at the forefront of efforts to showcase African cinema that authentically represents the continent’s diverse cultures and experiences.

In an exclusive interview with The Nollywood Reporter, Nwoffiah reflected on the transformative potential of African cinema and the importance of embracing cultural authenticity.

“Storytelling has always been at the heart of African societies. But today, filmmakers must ensure that the stories we tell reflect our true identities, free from external influences,” he said. This perspective stems from his broader view that African narratives have often been shaped by foreign lenses, skewing the reality of the continent and undermining its rich traditions.

Nwoffiah’s work is grounded in the belief that African filmmakers must take charge of their own stories. “We cannot allow outsiders to define who we are. We have the power to tell our stories on our own terms,” he added. He also expressed concern over how Africa continues to be portrayed in global media. Drawing parallels with American cinema, which often presents an aspirational image of the U.S., Nwoffiah emphasized, “Every place has its challenges. What’s important is how you choose to show them. Africa has so much to offer, and it’s time we show the world who we really are.”

As African cinema begins to gain traction on the international stage, Nwoffiah remains hopeful about the future. He has witnessed a growing sense of awareness among emerging African filmmakers. “I’m excited about the energy I’m seeing across the continent,” he said. “Emerging doesn’t necessarily mean young—it could mean someone older just entering cinema. There is a new consciousness brewing, especially among filmmakers who understand that they don’t have to conform to Western standards to succeed.”

Nwoffiah’s optimism is fueled by his experiences across Africa. He has served as a jury member for prestigious film festivals in Cape Verde and Uganda, where he witnessed firsthand the passion and creativity of new filmmakers. “The consciousness emerging in these filmmakers is inspiring. There is a growing realization that African voices can be celebrated on the world stage, just as Afrobeat has done in the music industry,” Nwoffiah explained.

He pointed to the global success of Afrobeat as a significant shift that parallels what African cinema could achieve. “Afrobeat showed the world that we don’t have to imitate Western music to be accepted. The same applies to film,” Nwoffiah said. “We must present ourselves authentically—without phonetics, stereotypes, or the trappings of the Western world. When we embrace our identity fully, the world will come to us.”

As African cinema grows, Nwoffiah sees the next decade as a crucial period for the industry. “My prayer is that African cinema will become the go-to cinema in the next decade. African films will take their rightful place on the global stage, and not because anyone is giving us permission, but because we’ve earned it,” he said.

Film festivals like SVAFF, Nwoffiah believes, play a critical role in shaping this future. “As curators, we have a responsibility to present African films with dignity. We cannot fall into the trap of simply showcasing them because they’re African; they must be presented where they deserve to be respected,” he stated. He called for film curators and festival organizers to continue their efforts to decolonize African cinema by presenting it with the respect and attention it deserves.

Nwoffiah’s vision for African cinema is one of empowerment, self-representation, and global recognition. “We must decolonize our minds, educate ourselves, and embrace our rich cultural heritage. If we do, African cinema will thrive,” he concluded.