The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has returned in 2025 with a renewed commitment to spotlighting African creativity and innovation – this time through the Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence, a highlight of the festival dedicated to celebrating outstanding Africans who are contributing positively to the continent.

The AFRIFF returning in 2025 taking place from Nover 2nd to 8th with a renewed commitment to spotlighting African creativity. This the 14th edition of AFRIFF will be themed “Rhythms of the Continent: The Afrobeats Film Movement.”

The Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence is named in honour of the late Herbert Wigwe, a man whose legacy continues to inspire bold leadership, innovation, and investment in Africa’s creative economy.

The awards will celebrate outstanding individuals who embody the same spirit of excellence and transformation that Wigwe championed throughout his life.

“The Herbert Wigwe Awards for Excellence is more than a tribute – it’s a movement,” said Chioma Ude, Founder and Executive Director of AFRIFF. “Herbert believed deeply in the power of African talent to compete globally.

Through this award, we’re honouring that vision by recognizing creative leaders who are breaking barriers and inspiring new generations to dream bigger.”

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On the opening night of AFRIFF, Kashim Shettima, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigerian and Peter Mbah, Enugu State Governor and, will each receive awards for their immerse contributions to growth, innovation and excellence in their respective fields , the closing night will also honor Nigerian lawyer and technocrat, Hakeem Muri-Okunola and internationally acclaimed actor David Oyelowo.

This year’s AFRIFF will also mark the launch of the AFRIFF Film and Content Market (AFCM) – Nigeria’s first and only film and content marketplace.

The AFCM will serve as a business hub connecting filmmakers, distributors, and investors, furthering AFRIFF’s mission to build a sustainable ecosystem for African content creation and monetization.

Alongside screenings, masterclasses, and workshops, AFRIFF 2025 will screen over 100 films from across Africa and the diaspora, showcasing the diversity and creativity that define African cinema today.

With its blend of artistry, commerce, and celebration, AFRIFF 2025 promises to be a landmark edition – honouring the trailblazers shaping Africa’s cultural renaissance and ensuring that Herbert Wigwe’s legacy of empowerment lives on through every frame, beat, and story told.

Ifeoma Okeke-Korieocha is the Aviation Correspondent at BusinessDay Media Limited, publishers of BusinessDay Newspapers. She is also the Deputy Editor, BusinessDay Weekender Magazine, the Saturday Weekend edition of BusinessDay. She holds a BSC in Mass Communication from the prestigious University of Nigeria, Nsukka and a Masters degree in Marketing at the University of Lagos. As the lead writer on the aviation desk, Ifeoma is responsible and in charge of the three weekly aviation and travel pages in BusinessDay and BDSunday. She also overseas and edits all pages of BusinessDay Saturday Weekender. She has written various investigative, features and news stories in aviation and business related issues and has been severally nominated for award in the category of Aviation Writer of the Year by the Nigeria Media Nite-Out awards; one of the Nigeria’s most prestigious media awards ceremonies. Ifeoma is a one-time winner of the prestigious Nigeria Media Merit Award under the 'Aviation Writer of the Year' Category. She is the 2025 Eloy Award winner under the Print Media Journalist category. She has undergone several journalism trainings by various prestigious organisations. Ifeoma is also a fellow of the Female Reporters Leadership Fellowship of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.

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