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AAIFF LogoAll AfricansIndie Film Festival

About the organization

About AAIFF

The All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF) is a pan‑African platform dedicated to discovering, developing, and supporting emerging filmmakers, storytellers, and creative entrepreneurs across Africa.

Our Origin

Nigerian stories deserve platforms that respect their complexity.

Founded in 2024 by Rebecca Isi Imafidon, AAIFF was created to provide visibility, access, community, and opportunity for independent African creatives whose stories deserve to be seen, heard, and preserved.

AAIFF is a platform for Nigerian and African stories that move across borders: geographically, culturally, emotionally, and politically. We support filmmakers, writers, and artists telling Nigerian stories at home and in the diaspora, and we create spaces where local realities meet global audiences.

Our work sits at the intersection of Nigerian cinema, African cinema and the diaspora, literature and screen adaptation, culture and social impact, policy and advocacy, and local communities in global conversation. This is transnational cinema not as theory, but as lived experience.

Our Ecosystem

More than a film festival.

What began as a film festival has evolved into a growing ecosystem at the intersection of film, advocacy, culture, entrepreneurship, social impact, and community.

Film

Curating independent African cinema that pushes boundaries, preserves culture, and sparks global conversations.

Advocacy

Using storytelling as a tool for gender justice, human rights, policy dialogue, and social transformation.

Culture

Celebrating Nigerian, African, and diaspora narratives as living heritage and contemporary art.

Creative Entrepreneurship

Equipping filmmakers and artists with business skills, funding pathways, and sustainable career models.

Social Impact

Amplifying stories that address real‑world challenges and inspire community‑led change.

Community Building

Creating safe, nurturing spaces where creatives connect, collaborate, and grow together.

Policy Conversations

Bringing artistic voices into dialogues about cultural policy, creative economy, and continental development.

Our Work

A growing constellation of programmes.

From film festivals and grants to advocacy labs and book clubs, every initiative is designed to nurture the complete creative journey.

Film Festivals

Annual editions in Lagos and international satellite events that showcase the best of independent African cinema.

Grants & Pitch Opportunities

Direct funding and live pitch sessions that connect emerging filmmakers with producers, investors, and development partners.

Women in Arts & Film

A dedicated programme supporting female and non‑binary creatives through mentorship, workshops, and visibility campaigns.

Men in Arts & Film

Engaging male creatives as allies and advocates for equity, collaboration, and transformative storytelling.

SDG‑Focused Initiatives

Storytelling projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and African Agenda 2063, turning advocacy into narrative.

Creative Entrepreneurship Support

Business clinics, legal advice, and market access programmes that treat creativity as a sustainable livelihood.

International Partnerships

Exchange programmes, co‑productions, and festival collaborations that open doors for African films worldwide.

Advocacy Through Media

Using film, podcasts, and publications to shape public discourse on justice, culture, and African futures.

Transnational Cinema

Supporting stories that move across borders, bridging home and diaspora through cinematic language.

Book Club

A literary companion that deepens the conversation between African literature, screen adaptation, and critical thought.

Vision & Mission

What we believe.

Vision

To build a globally recognized African storytelling ecosystem that empowers creatives, influences culture, and contributes meaningfully to social and economic development across the continent.

Mission

To create platforms, opportunities, and conversations that support African creatives while using storytelling as a tool for education, healing, representation, advocacy, and transformation.

Values

Cultural respect, ethical collaboration, access, community care, gender justice, social impact, artist dignity, and audience participation.

Cultural Impact

Supporting emerging African storytellers. Building advocacy through cinema. Creating global creative opportunities. Preserving African narratives. Encouraging policy and cultural dialogue. Championing social impact storytelling.

AAIFF exists at the crossroads of art and activism, where each film, each conversation, and each collaboration helps shape a more inclusive, culturally rich future for the continent and its global diaspora.

History

A living timeline.

2024

A Lagos screening circle begins with independent films, open conversation, and a commitment to local stories.

2025

AAIFF expands labs, hybrid screenings, and exchange programs across creators working between countries.

Feb 2026

The book club launches to connect Nigerian, African, and diasporic texts with the screen stories they inspire.

Apr 2026

Rebecca Isi Imafidon represents Nigeria's media at Women Deliver 2026 in Melbourne through the Women Deliver Media Scholarship.

Nov 2026

The next AAIFF edition is scheduled with submissions open for Nigerian‑led independent African and diaspora cinema.

Convener and team

Led by Rebecca Isi Imafidon with Nigerian curators, producers, readers, and hosts.

Rebecca Isi Imafidon

Rebecca Isi Imafidon

Founder & Festival Director, All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF)

Rebecca Isi Imafidon is a communications strategist, storyteller, and cultural entrepreneur with over ten years of experience in sales, marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement. She is the Founder and Festival Director of the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF), a platform dedicated to amplifying independent African voices, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers across the continent and the diaspora. Passionate about the power of storytelling to drive social impact, Isi has led initiatives that connect creatives, industry professionals, institutions, and audiences through film, education, and cultural exchange. Under her leadership, AAIFF has expanded beyond film screenings to include transnational cinema conversations, filmmaker development programs, and collaborations that promote identity, inclusion, and social cohesion. Isi holds a bachelor’s of engineering from University of Benin (production engineering) two Master’s degree in Data Science from Rome Business School and Valencia university Spain , and combines analytical thinking with creative vision to design projects that bridge culture, innovation, and community development. Her work is driven by a commitment to empowering African storytellers and positioning cinema as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and positive change. Isi is an international women deliver media scholarship awardee. Isi is also a graduate of Ebony Life creative economy, Producing for success.Read more →

Rebecca Isi Imafidon is a communications strategist, storyteller, and cultural entrepreneur with over ten years of experience in sales, marketing, communications, and stakeholder engagement. She is the Founder and Festival Director of the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF), a platform dedicated to amplifying independent African voices, fostering cross-cultural dialogue, and creating opportunities for emerging filmmakers across the continent and the diaspora. Passionate about the power of storytelling to drive social impact, Isi has led initiatives that connect creatives, industry professionals, institutions, and audiences through film, education, and cultural exchange. Under her leadership, AAIFF has expanded beyond film screenings to include transnational cinema conversations, filmmaker development programs, and collaborations that promote identity, inclusion, and social cohesion. Isi holds a bachelor’s of engineering from University of Benin (production engineering) two Master’s degree in Data Science from Rome Business School and Valencia university Spain , and combines analytical thinking with creative vision to design projects that bridge culture, innovation, and community development. Her work is driven by a commitment to empowering African storytellers and positioning cinema as a catalyst for dialogue, understanding, and positive change. Isi is an international women deliver media scholarship awardee. Isi is also a graduate of Ebony Life creative economy, Producing for success.

Mariam Obaijoko

Mariam Obaijoko

Chief Operating Officer

Mariany is a writer, producer, and creative strategist with a strong passion for storytelling, culture, and African cinema. As the Operational Manager of the All Africans Indie Film Festival, she plays a key role in coordinating festival operations, partnerships, audience engagement, and program execution, helping to create meaningful spaces for African filmmakers and storytellers to thrive. With experience spanning content strategy, production coordination, digital communications, and community engagement, she brings a unique blend of creativity and structure to every project she manages. Her work is driven by a commitment to amplifying African voices, supporting independent creatives, and building platforms that connect stories from the continent to global audiences.Read more →

Mariany is a writer, producer, and creative strategist with a strong passion for storytelling, culture, and African cinema. As the Operational Manager of the All Africans Indie Film Festival, she plays a key role in coordinating festival operations, partnerships, audience engagement, and program execution, helping to create meaningful spaces for African filmmakers and storytellers to thrive. With experience spanning content strategy, production coordination, digital communications, and community engagement, she brings a unique blend of creativity and structure to every project she manages. Her work is driven by a commitment to amplifying African voices, supporting independent creatives, and building platforms that connect stories from the continent to global audiences.

Fife Oluleye

Fife Oluleye

Creative Director

Fife Oluleye is a creative strategist, visual storyteller, and brand communications professional serving as Creative Director at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF). He leads the team and the festival’s creative vision, shaping how the brand is expressed through compelling visuals, powerful storytelling, and cohesive audience experiences across digital, event, and media platforms. With a strong background in photography, videography, video editing, branding and creative direction, he ensures that every touchpoint reflects the spirit, culture, and excellence of AAIFF. His work helps position the festival as a bold platform for independent African cinema, cultural expression, and meaningful connection.Read more →

Fife Oluleye is a creative strategist, visual storyteller, and brand communications professional serving as Creative Director at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF). He leads the team and the festival’s creative vision, shaping how the brand is expressed through compelling visuals, powerful storytelling, and cohesive audience experiences across digital, event, and media platforms. With a strong background in photography, videography, video editing, branding and creative direction, he ensures that every touchpoint reflects the spirit, culture, and excellence of AAIFF. His work helps position the festival as a bold platform for independent African cinema, cultural expression, and meaningful connection.

Chibuzor Aaron

Chibuzor Aaron

Head of Media and Content

Chibuzor Aaron is a filmmaker, and visual storyteller leading Content & Media Production at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF). With a career built on developing and executing cinematic stories, from feature-length documentaries to brand films and cultural productions across Nigeria, he brings both creative vision and full production capability to everything AAIFF puts into the world. As the director behind acclaimed documentaries on Lagos street culture, Yoruba heritage, and Nigerian communities, Chibuzor has proven an ability to find the story inside complex, layered subjects and turn it into content that moves people. At AAIFF, he produces the festival’s content output from concept to screen, ensuring every film, every filmmaker, and every moment is captured, crafted, and told with intention.Read more →

Chibuzor Aaron is a filmmaker, and visual storyteller leading Content & Media Production at the All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF). With a career built on developing and executing cinematic stories, from feature-length documentaries to brand films and cultural productions across Nigeria, he brings both creative vision and full production capability to everything AAIFF puts into the world. As the director behind acclaimed documentaries on Lagos street culture, Yoruba heritage, and Nigerian communities, Chibuzor has proven an ability to find the story inside complex, layered subjects and turn it into content that moves people. At AAIFF, he produces the festival’s content output from concept to screen, ensuring every film, every filmmaker, and every moment is captured, crafted, and told with intention.

David Ewodage

David Ewodage

Head of Filmmakers' Community

David Ewodage serves as the Head of the Filmmakers Community at the All African Indie Film Festival (AAIFF), where he coordinates filmmakers in championing bold storytelling, and shaping conversations around the future of African cinema as a dominant force on the global stage. David is a graduate of the University of Benin with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, and a diploma in Screenwriting. His science discipline helped shape his approach to storytelling as a filmmaker, screenwriter, director, storyteller, and story consultant. He loves exploring socially relevant themes rooted in science, medicine, and the industrial sector. Beyond his creative work, he is deeply committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers, telling intellectual stories aimed at positioning African, particularly Nigerian, cinemaRead more →

David Ewodage serves as the Head of the Filmmakers Community at the All African Indie Film Festival (AAIFF), where he coordinates filmmakers in championing bold storytelling, and shaping conversations around the future of African cinema as a dominant force on the global stage. David is a graduate of the University of Benin with a B.Sc. in Biotechnology, and a diploma in Screenwriting. His science discipline helped shape his approach to storytelling as a filmmaker, screenwriter, director, storyteller, and story consultant. He loves exploring socially relevant themes rooted in science, medicine, and the industrial sector. Beyond his creative work, he is deeply committed to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of filmmakers, telling intellectual stories aimed at positioning African, particularly Nigerian, cinema

Fadipe oluwaferanmi

Fadipe oluwaferanmi

Graphic Designer

A graphic and brand designer with years of experience building visual identities, promotional materials, and digital assets across a range of industries. Charles typically works from the ground up, developing brand systems, logos, and marketing collateral that feel cohesive rather than pieced together. At AAIFF, he handles the graphic design work and helps shape how the organization presents itself across its digital platforms.Read more →

A graphic and brand designer with years of experience building visual identities, promotional materials, and digital assets across a range of industries. Charles typically works from the ground up, developing brand systems, logos, and marketing collateral that feel cohesive rather than pieced together. At AAIFF, he handles the graphic design work and helps shape how the organization presents itself across its digital platforms.

Press

Mentioned by critics, editors, and culture desks.

THISDAYThe Lagos ReviewGuardian LifePulse NigeriaBellaNaijaThe Republic

Join Us

AAIFF exists to amplify African voices, nurture creative communities, and shape the future of storytelling across the continent and beyond.