By Nnasom David

The All Africans Indie Film Festival (AAIFF) 2025 concluded on Saturday, November 22, at Nile Cinemas, Ikota, Lagos, with a full day of film screenings, practical workshops and cross-continental conversations that highlighted the growing strength of African independent cinema.

The festival, held in partnership with the Brixton Film Festival in the United Kingdom and supported by Nile Cinemas, was themed “Across Waters, Through Stories”, reflecting how African narratives continue to travel beyond borders while retaining cultural depth.

One of the major highlights of the closing day was a panel discussion moderated by Sandra Daniel and Ade Oyeyipo, which focused on authenticity, identity, diaspora representation, responsibility and collaboration in African storytelling.

Obinna Okerekeocha, founder of the Naija AI Festival and Director of Content at Moniepoint, challenged filmmakers to dig deeper into cultural representation.

“People say we need to tell our stories — but what are our stories? They are our cultures, languages, nuances. We have over 300 languages in Nigeria, but we only talk about three. Authenticity is intentional,” he said.

Filmmaker and actor, Kiitan Bukola, also stressed the power of rooted storytelling.

“Authenticity is what makes us last forever. Tell stories from your village, your people, your heritage. The world will accept it,” Bukola said.

Olatoun Gabi-Williams, founder of Borders Literature for All Nations, brought a diaspora perspective to the discussion.

“Across waters, I am always writing and taking notes through a local girl’s lens,” she noted.

The panel further examined the balance between diaspora amplification and distortion, ethical responsibility in storytelling, film distribution beyond festivals, and the need to bridge gaps between filmmakers and local audiences through cross-border collaboration.

Participants also took part in four hands-on masterclasses designed to strengthen their creative and production skills.

Ayowole Solomon led a session on Writing and Story Architecture, focusing on narrative honesty and emotional rhythm. Olayemi Oshodi conducted a workshop on film production, breaking down how to manage people, story and budget under pressure.

Ella Chikezie shared insights from major productions such as Christmas in Lagos, highlighting workflow, leadership and problem-solving on set. Loveline Imaobong Fidelis facilitated a Screenplay and Scene Lab, where participants developed scenes and practised dialogue, pacing and tension.

Founded by filmmaker Rebecca Isi Imafidon, AAIFF is steadily positioning itself as a hub for African filmmakers, providing a platform for nurturing talent, building international connections and celebrating African stories.

Organisers said the 2025 edition reinforced the growing global relevance of African independent cinema.

The festival closed with renewed calls for collaboration, cultural authenticity and stronger structures to support African storytellers at home and in the diaspora.