AFRIFF Globe Awards 2026 Ce
LAGOS, NIGERIA — November 9, 2026
The 15th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) climaxed on Saturday, November 7, 2026, with a spectacular Globe Awards ceremony celebrating outstanding achievements in African and international filmmaking. The ceremony brought together leading filmmakers, actors, producers, entertainment executives and other stakeholders in the global creative industry to recognise excellence in storytelling, cinematic production and the growing influence of African narratives.
The awards night marked the grand finale of the week-long festival, which featured film screenings, industry conversations, networking sessions, workshops and engagements designed to strengthen Africa’s creative economy and position its film industry for greater international competitiveness.
The ceremony opened with welcome remarks, followed by an engaging presentation from the evening’s hosts, Osas Ighodaro and Keturah King, who guided guests through an evening of entertainment, recognition and celebration. The gathering attracted prominent personalities from Nollywood and the international film community, alongside industry stakeholders, creative entrepreneurs and distinguished guests.
Chioma Ude Advocates a New Order in Filmmaking
In her remarks, AFRIFF founder and convener, Chioma Ude, emphasised the importance of challenging existing conventions within the film industry and changing the status quo, particularly in the relationship between scripting, acting and the broader filmmaking process.
She highlighted the need for a more progressive creative ecosystem in which ideas are not merely written into scripts but are developed, interpreted and translated into compelling cinematic experiences. According to her vision, the journey from the writing desk to the screen requires deliberate collaboration between writers, directors, actors, producers and other professionals whose contributions determine the quality, authenticity and impact of a film.
Ude underscored the importance of creating opportunities for emerging talents while encouraging established practitioners to embrace innovation, professional excellence and new approaches to storytelling. She advocated an industry where creative ideas are given the necessary support to evolve into commercially viable and internationally competitive productions.
She further noted that African filmmakers must move beyond conventional limitations and embrace a culture that values originality, technical competence, collaboration and the exploration of diverse African experiences. For her, transforming the industry requires more than producing films; it requires building structures that enable talents to develop, creative professionals to thrive and African stories to compete confidently on the global stage.
The Essence of the AFRIFF Globe Awards
Speaking on the significance of the Globe Awards, Ude highlighted that the initiative goes beyond the presentation of trophies and ceremonial recognition. It represents an intentional effort to establish a culture of appreciation, accountability and excellence within the filmmaking industry.
She emphasised that recognising outstanding contributions across different filmmaking categories helps reinforce professional standards, motivate practitioners and inspire the next generation of creative talents. The awards also provide a platform for acknowledging individuals and productions whose work demonstrates originality, dedication, innovation and meaningful storytelling.
The convener’s vision positions the Globe Awards as an important instrument for strengthening the African film ecosystem, bringing together different creative disciplines and encouraging collaboration between local and international industry players.
By celebrating excellence across various categories, AFRIFF continues to demonstrate that the success of cinema is not limited to the visibility of actors and directors alone but depends on the collective contributions of everyone involved in bringing stories to life.
Celebrating Excellence and Outstanding Contributions
One of the evening’s major highlights was the presentation of the prestigious Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence, recognising individuals whose contributions and achievements reflect outstanding impact within the creative industry.
The ceremony also featured musical performances from renowned Nigerian entertainers, including D’banj and Timi Dakolo, alongside other entertainment attractions. A cultural presentation by GO CREATIONS further enriched the evening.
Another notable highlight was the world premiere of Rise of the Machine, a short film presented by Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck and directed by celebrated music video director TG Omori.
Full List of AFRIFF Globe Awards 2026 Winners
The awards recognised outstanding productions and creative contributions across several categories:
| Award Category | Winner |
| Best Feature Film | Slum Bomber – Maureen Jolly Nankya |
| Best International Feature Film | The Tropic Sun and His Eyes – Elisee Junior St. Preux |
| Best Screenplay | Elisee Junior St. Preux – The Tropic Sun and His Eyes |
| Best Short Film | The Spectacular Death of Prisca – Kaelo Iyizoba |
| Best Animation Film | Lice N’ Shine – Maria Byoma |
| Best International Short Film | The Little Soldier – Roxan Karmi |
| Best Documentary Film | Miss Jobson – Amanda Sans Pantling |
| Best Documentary Short | Throne of Wood – Sadegh Kazemi |
| Best Actress | Sarah Karen – One Woman, One Bra |
Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence
- Joel Chikapa Phiri
- Francis Nebot
- Danielle Brooks
Herbert Wigwe Award – Honourable Recipient
- Kene Okwuosa
AFRIFF Reaffirms Commitment to the Future of African Cinema
As the festival concluded its 15th edition, the Globe Awards reinforced AFRIFF’s position as an important platform for showcasing African filmmaking, encouraging cross-border partnerships and expanding opportunities for creative professionals.
Since its establishment in 2010 by Chioma Ude, AFRIFF has continued to evolve beyond a film exhibition platform into an industry-driven gathering connecting filmmakers, investors, distributors, actors and international audiences.
The festival’s continued emphasis on talent development, industry engagement and global visibility reflects the growing recognition that Africa’s creative economy can serve as a significant driver of cultural influence, employment generation and economic development.
The 2026 edition therefore closed not merely as a celebration of cinematic achievements but as a renewed commitment to transforming the African film industry, strengthening its creative infrastructure and ensuring that African stories occupy a more influential position in global entertainment.
