The short film, inspired by a personal story Ahmed witnessed, is among the first official selections for the festival running in Lagos from October 16–19.
Hassan Ahmed’s “Behind The Smile” Joins TAFM 2025 Lineup
Hassan Ahmed’s short film Behind The Smile has been officially selected for the 2025 edition of The Annual Film Mischief (TAFM), joining a lineup of independent works set to screen across Africa.
Produced by Juju Studios, the film explores the emotional battles that often lie beneath outward expressions of happiness—a theme consistent with Ahmed’s interest in the complexities of human emotion.
Featuring performances by Bobby Ogbolu and Shine Rosman, the story was inspired by Ahmed’s observation of someone close to him silently struggling behind a cheerful façade.
“It reminded me that film has the power to hold up a mirror to truths we often ignore,” Ahmed shared in an Instagram post, while also thanking his creative team, including crew members Samuel Yusufu, Idedayo Afolayan, and Damilola Olubanjo, in an Instagram post.
TAFM 2025 will be held across four cities: Accra (April 9–11), Lagos (October 16–19), Dar es Salaam (October 29–31), and Nairobi (November 1–2). This year’s theme, “Reclaim Self,” invites filmmakers and audiences to reflect on identity, resilience, and healing through screenings and conversations.
The jury includes Nwakaego Boyo, Francis Brown, Chloe Genga, and Victor Aghahowa.
As the festival returns with its Pan-African celebration of storytelling, Behind The Smile is among the early selections contributing to the dialogue on reclaiming personal narratives. More titles are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.