Featuring juries across multiple categories, the festival will bring together acclaimed industry leaders from across the globe.
The African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has unveiled its jury panel for the upcoming edition running from November 2–8, following its recent film selection announcements.
The festival will feature separate juries across multiple categories, bringing together acclaimed industry professionals from around the world.
The Short, Student, and Animation Film Jury includes Ahmad Al-Othman, a representative of the Oman Film Society and scriptwriter advancing Arab and African cinematic collaboration, alongside Victor Sanchez Aghahowa, head of production at MultiChoice West Africa.
The Documentary Jury features Stephen Love, an acclaimed producer behind globally recognized projects redefining Black storytelling in Hollywood; Ranada Shepard, a showrunner and producer; and Carl Rumbaugh, manager and producer at 23 Management Group, known for his strategic eye for talent development.
The Feature Film Jury brings together Andrea Vogues, head of programming at the Durban International Film Festival; Kayode Jegede, founding director of SOOP Africa; Jackie Lyanga, director of film programming at Berlinale; and Tim McNeal, senior vice president of creative talent development and inclusion at Disney.
According to the organizers, the festival’s success rests on the expertise and vision of its jury members, who embody the spirit of cinema, collaboration, culture, and craft, bringing global insights and passion to the judging process.
AFRIFF 2025 will feature a week-long program that includes film screenings, networking sessions, and masterclasses with industry professionals such as Bimbo Akintola, Yinka Ogun, Moses Inwang, Angel Williams, and Carl Rumbaugh.
A major highlight this year is the introduction of a dedicated film and content marketplace, designed to facilitate the buying and selling of films while fostering collaboration among filmmakers, distributors, and investors.
The festival has partnered with MTN, Africa’s largest telecommunications company, to help revolutionize the continent’s film industry by creating new opportunities for filmmakers and promoting indigenous storytelling.
The industry program will also feature sessions on film distribution, marketing, content commissioning, and international collaboration, with particular emphasis on fostering partnerships between Nigerian filmmakers and counterparts from other countries.
The festival will conclude with the Globe Awards, celebrating excellence in African cinema.