AFRIFF13: nature storytellers Shine on the Global Stage
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) celebrated its 13th edition from 3 to 9 November 2024 in Lagos, Nigeria, with the theme ‘Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity.’ As the largest film festival in Africa, AFRIFF continues to spotlight Nollywood—an unapologetically unique industry driven by agency, authenticity, and creativity. The festival opened with Michael W. Ndiomu’s gripping crime thriller, HEADLESS, setting the tone for a week filled with 150 films from Africa and the Diaspora, as well as industry panels, keynotes, masterclasses, and high-profile networking events. AFRIFF Founder and Festival Director, Chioma Ude, reflected, “African filmmaking has evolved at an incredible pace, with Nigeria at the forefront of this renaissance.” The festival not only celebrated the power of African storytelling but also highlighted the growing global appetite for authentic, culturally rich narratives.
This year also saw NEWF’s partnership with AFRIFF expand as the pitch competition grew from a regional focus to a continent-wide call, drawing 80 applications. After a rigorous review, finalists were announced: Aminu-Taiwo Dotun, Sonia Precious John, and Ridwan Abdullateef represented Nigeria; Eystein Dingha Young showcased Cameroonian talent; and Nada Abdelkader marked a milestone as NEWF’s first Tunisian film pitch finalist. Three of these storytellers will advance to the 2025 NEWF Producers’ Lab, continuing the festival’s legacy of nurturing talent.
The NEWF Community at #AFRIFF13
My biggest takeaway from AFRIFF was the intentionality of our connection and collaboration as a continent. Africa is not a country. Our power lies in the combined tapestry of our diversity. I realised afresh the staggering enormity of this work – in the same breath, the pure, organic moments of deep connection are indescribable.
It's this right here. On stage at the African International Film Festival awards night saying, ‘Yes, please come and join us! Tell that story. Your perspectives and your voice matter… and are needed.On stage with the incredible Nada Abdalkader, a marine scientist from Tunisia and one of the three NEWF x AFRIFF Pitch winners who’ll be joining NEWF’s 2025 Producers Lab Fellowship. I am excited to see the stories emerging from North Africa!
Sharing the spotlight at AFRIFF was the brilliant Yolanda Mogatusi; a producer and screenwriter extraordinaire, a genius in the art of pitching (aka give me the money!), and the dapper Dr. Victor Okhai - one of the most formidable voices in Nigeria's media and storytelling landscape – someone I'm proud to call a friend.
Let’s keep telling these stories together!
- WAMBUI WAWERU, NEWF STORY LAB LEAD
Moments of deliberation and dialogue.
It was an absolute honour to be part of the AFRIFF Jury for their 13th edition. This incredible group of individuals and filmmakers not only selected the best films but also celebrated them.
As a first-time juror, I learned the importance of African film festivals, especially those that focus on celebrating the filmmakers themselves, not just the industry. I also learned valuable lessons about winning and losing gracefully. Ancient Hebrew scripture says: ‘The race is not always to the swift nor the battle to the strong, but time and chance happen to everyone.’ Sometimes we win because we’re the best, sometimes by a vote, and sometimes someone else’s time and chance align. And that’s okay.
Naija, What Can I Say? Our first date was confusing—rushed and rough. But by the second, I understood you. I saw what you valued, avoided the OFF switch, and embraced you for who you are. You did the same for me, and I finally understood the scripture about the righteous taking something by force.
Thank you, AFRIFF, for an unforgettable experience. Until next time!
- YOLANDA MOGATUSI, 2024 NEWF X AFRIFF PARTNERSHIP COORDINATOR
MEET THE TEAM
Yolanda Keabetswe Mogatusi
Yolanda Keabetswe Mogatusi a South African Filmmaker and Storyteller whose career in film and television has spanned over 12 years. Through her company, 1000 Hugs Films, Yolanda has produced many hours of television content and her transition into film has been met with much acclaim with her short film Hair That Moves and dance documentary, Rumba In The Jungle – The Return , playing at many different festivals around the world. An advocate for female empowerment both on and off screen, most of her films have a strong female lead and her children’s content carries a message of self-acceptance and personal empowerment. A sustainable fashion enthusiast, she is a regular mentor and moderator at the Nature, Environment and Wildlife Film Congress (NEWF) where she is passionate about equipping a new generation of impactful filmmakers. Yolanda’s latest projects are two animated series called Rapulani and Lula’s Gift from the Ocean which won the Road to Annecy Road Pitching competition in 2022 as well as an award-winning kids game called Rapz.
WAMBUI WAWERU
Wambui Waweru is a Kenyan writer, producer, and director with over 15 years of experience in journalism and media. As the Story Labs Lead for NEWF, she shapes the narrative framework for Fellows, developing curricula, offering feedback, and guiding the creation of compelling African films. Wambui’s passion for storytelling is rooted in her diverse career, from early days as a freelance writer to editing and producing for major magazines. Her transition into conservation communications further deepened her understanding of African narratives and community advocacy. Now, she works with a growing catalogue of more than 40 films, championing African nature, environment and wildlife storytellers to redefine how the continent is seen through format-redefining documentary films. A reflective and ever-evolving storyteller, Wambui’s work focuses on the power of stories that express the complexity and hope of African identities.
Samira Vera-Cruz
Samira Vera-Cruz is a Cape-Verdean film director and producer. With a major in Film Studies and a minor in Global Communications by the American University of Paris (France), the filmmaker has experience working in Cabo Verde, where her production company Parallax Produções is based, Angola and Mozambique. She debuted her career as a director with the short film Buska Santu, winner of the best fiction at Oiá Festival, 2017 (Mindelo, Cabo Verde). Her first short documentary, Hora di Bai, was a result of the Short Films PALOP-TL UE 25 years Award and was screened in over 14 countries. In 2017, she premiered her first feature film, Sukuru, a psychological thriller about schizophrenia and drug abuse, done entirely without financing. The director was selected for Talents Durban 2019 and received the PR Consulting Award. She was also selected for FIDADOC’s writing residency in 2019 (Morocco), Durban Filmmart (South Africa) and Ouaga Film Lab (Burkina Faso) in 2020. At the later she won the IDFA and World Cinema Fund/Goethe Institute Awards.
MEET THE Fellows
Eystein Dingha Young, Cameroon
A filmmaker from Cameroon, Eystein has written, Directed short films ‘Chicha’(2016),’Massa doctor’ (2017),’Kalamba’(2017) ‘The Kaffi’ (2016) (docu-drama), ‘Mbutuku’ (2019), and ‘Revenir’ (2020) which Screened in festivals like AFRIFF, Slum Film Festival, Artcity Short Film Festival, Motion Picture Film Festival , Lake International Pan African Film Festival and the MTN Digital Conference. He was part of the STEPS ‘Generation Africa’ workshop on documentary story development in Accra Ghana in 2018 and his documentary ‘Clando’ has screened on Arte France. He worked as a set designer, performed (acting) alongside Hakeem Kae Kazim in Pillars of Africa, and scored a nomination 2018 Golden Movie Awards in Ghana as Best Art Director in Tenacity. We was nominated for Best Actor in a lead role in Cameroon Academy Movie Awards 2017 for his role in ‘My Best Day’, Best Actor in a supporting role at the 2018 Cameroon Academy African Awards (CAAFA) in London, Best Performer at the NBACA AWARDS 2018, Best Director at ALAN AWARDS 2019, Best screen play at CAMACA Awards 2021 and Best screen play at the Bayelsa Film Festival for Hidden dreams. He is writer of Cameroons Official submission to the 94th Oscars, Hidden Dreams.
Biography by: Asanga Justice.
Down by The Beach
In this creative observational documentary, Penboy, a poet and spoken word artist, impersonates the voice of the sea in order to convey the distress caused by waste pollution to the sea in the highly commercial fishing town of Limbe, Cameroon
Nada Abdelkader, Tunisia
An ecologist and storyteller from Tunisia, Nada has been captivated by the beauty and diversity of nature since childhood, particularly in the unique landscape of South Tunisia, where the desert meets the oasis. Her fascination with ecology began as she observed the intricate relationships between various species, all thriving in harmony with the palm trees and other elements of the ecosystem. These early experiences instilled in her a profound respect and admiration for the delicate balance of nature.
Nada earned a degree in marine ecology from the Faculty of Sciences of Tunis at the University of El Manar, Tunisia, where she immersed herself in the study of marine ecosystems and conservation. Breaking barriers, Nada obtained a Level 2 diving certificate from the Tunisian Federation of Underwater Activities and Water Rescue, recognized by CMAS, enabling her to explore the sea as both a scientist and a diver.
Chasing for Water: The Endless Quest of Al-R’bayea
In the heart of the Tunisian desert, the nomadic Bedouin clans known as Al-R’bayea navigate a harsh landscape in search of water, embodying ancient traditions while facing the challenges of climate change and urban encroachment. This documentary follows a Bedouin family, unveiling their untold story as resilient guardians of the desert ecosystem, deeply connected to its flora and fauna.
Ridwan Abdullateef, Nigeria
A filmmaker and the Director of Ragari Film School in Kaduna, Nigeria, where he oversees the institution’s educational and creative pursuits in filmmaking. In his role, Ridwan crafts the curriculum, fosters a diverse and innovative learning environment, collaborates with industry experts, and mentors aspiring filmmakers to develop their skills. His leadership focuses on providing students with both practical experience and a solid theoretical foundation, preparing them to thrive in Nigeria's dynamic film industry, popularly known as Nollywood.
Ridwan has produced several films, including two dance films, three sci-fi films, and one experimental short film, collaboratively. He is deeply passionate about telling original, indigenous stories that reflect the rich culture of his community and people. Ridwan continues to refine his craft, driven by a desire to be part of a larger creative space that encourages collaboration, learning, and experimentation.
Omi Dudu
Omi Dudu (Black Water) follows Umar, the oldest fisherman in Kaduna, as he looks back on the lost art of fishing, the dying aquatic life, and the strange disappearance of crocodiles from the polluted Kaduna River, compared to the healthy waters of 50 years ago.
AFRIFF 2024 stood as a powerful testament to the potential of Africa’s entertainment industry to inspire, resonate, and thrive on a global stage.
This is the Africa we dream of!
