By Juliet Ebirim

Founder of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and Africa Film and Content Market (AFCM), Chioma Ude, has been honoured at the Dhofar International Film Festival in Oman for her contributions to the global film industry.
Ude served as Head of the Short Films Jury at the festival, bringing her experience in African cinema, film festivals and industry development to the judging process.
Reflecting on the experience, Ude said, “I do not come here by chance. I actually came here as a challenge.”
She also noted the emotional range of the films screened, saying, “Some of the films made us laugh so much, some of them made us cry. But all in all, we realised the filmmakers worked even harder than we did.”
Her visit also strengthened conversations between Nigerian, Omani and wider African film professionals around cultural exchange and industry collaboration.
Ude’s connection with the Oman Film Society began after she met its member, Ahmed Othman, who later served as a jury member at AFRIFF and AFCM in Nigeria in 2025. The exchange subsequently led to Ude’s invitation to Oman.
During the visit, she also met Oman Film Society Chairman Anwar bin Khamis Al Ruzaiqi and Egyptian actress and producer Bushra, further expanding ties between African and Middle Eastern film communities.
The recognition comes as AFRIFF prepares for its 15th edition, scheduled for November 1–7, 2026, in Nigeria.