AILFF’26 unveils expanded programme as trailblazing drone pilot shemmy headlines capacity-building workshop

Organisers of the African Indigenous Language Film Festival (AILFF’26) have unveiled an expanded and carefully curated programme for the festival’s third edition, signalling what is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious gatherings yet for indigenous African cinema, cultural expression and industry development.

Scheduled to take place from July 22 to 25, 2026, AILFF’26 will convene filmmakers, actors, producers, language advocates, cultural stakeholders and creative entrepreneurs for four days of training, networking, screenings and celebration.

This year’s edition is designed not only as a showcase for films made in African indigenous languages, but also as a strategic platform for skills development, collaboration and the advancement of storytelling rooted in African identity.

In a major addition to the festival’s programme, organisers have announced that renowned Nigerian cinematographer and drone pilot, Priscilla Rautha “Shemmy” Tanko, will lead a two-day Drone Piloting Workshop, one of the headline capacity-building events of the festival.

The workshop is expected to provide hands-on training in aerial cinematography and practical drone operation, while also offering participants certification in a fast-growing area of film production that is increasingly shaping visual storytelling across the industry.

Shemmy’s participation is being widely seen as one of the standout features of this year’s festival. Regarded as one of the first female Nigerian drone pilots, she represents a powerful example of how innovation, technical mastery and creative ambition can intersect within the African film space. Her evolution from child actor to respected cinematographer and drone specialist has marked her out as a pioneering figure whose work continues to inspire emerging filmmakers, especially women seeking to break new ground in technology-driven areas of production.

Festival organisers said her involvement reflects AILFF’s broader commitment to equipping indigenous filmmakers with contemporary tools and practical knowledge while ensuring that African stories remain grounded in authenticity, language and lived cultural experience.

According to the organisers, the goal is not simply to celebrate indigenous-language cinema, but to strengthen the ecosystem that sustains it by giving creatives access to skills that improve both the quality and competitiveness of their work.

That vision is evident across the wider AILFF’26 programme, which places strong emphasis on professional development. Alongside the drone training, the festival will host a two-day Subtitle and Dubbing Workshop aimed at helping filmmakers improve accessibility and expand the cross-border and international reach of indigenous-language content. With more African films seeking audiences beyond their immediate linguistic communities, subtitling and dubbing are increasingly being viewed as essential tools for distribution, audience growth and cultural preservation.

Also on the schedule is a Digital Filmmaking in the Age of AI workshop, which will explore how filmmakers can engage emerging production technologies without losing the human depth and cultural texture that define strong storytelling. In addition, a Marketing and Distribution Workshop will address one of the most pressing challenges facing many filmmakers: how to move from production to visibility, commercial success and audience impact. By including these sessions, the festival is positioning itself not merely as a screening event, but as an intervention in the business, technical and creative realities of filmmaking in Africa.

Beyond its industry-focused offerings, AILFF’26 is also placing culture and community at the centre of the experience. Organisers say attendees can expect a vibrant mix of social and cultural events, including a Welcome Party, curated networking sessions, a guided tour of the host city, Parakou in Benin Republic, and screenings of films that reflect the richness, diversity and emotional power of stories told in African languages.

These elements are intended to create an immersive environment where filmmakers and audiences can connect not only through cinema, but also through shared heritage and cultural pride.

This year’s edition is further strengthened by a significant collaboration with the Asha Yorùbá Festival, a heritage and cultural festival in Benin Republic scheduled to begin on July 20. The partnership is expected to deepen the cultural resonance of AILFF’26 by extending the celebration beyond film into a broader affirmation of African tradition, identity and artistic expression. Organisers believe the alignment between both festivals will create a richer cultural calendar and reinforce the place of language, memory and heritage in contemporary African creativity.

The festival will climax with a major Awards Ceremony that will honour excellence in indigenous filmmaking while also recognising government institutions, corporate organisations and private stakeholders whose support continues to strengthen the film sector.

The awards will be followed by a Closing Party, bringing the curtains down on the event with a celebration of collaboration, artistic achievement and the enduring relevance of indigenous storytelling.

Since its inception, the African Indigenous Language Film Festival has steadily built a reputation as more than a niche cultural event. It has emerged as an important meeting point for creatives committed to preserving African languages, expanding the possibilities of indigenous-language cinema and creating stronger professional networks across the continent. In doing so, the festival has helped bridge gaps between culture and commerce, tradition and innovation, and local storytelling and global visibility.

With the unveiling of its 2026 programme, AILFF is making a strong statement about its ambitions and evolving relevance. By combining hands-on technical training, industry knowledge, cultural celebration and cross-border collaboration, the festival is positioning itself as a vital force in shaping the future of indigenous African cinema.

As anticipation builds around the third edition, organisers say AILFF’26 will not only deliver a memorable festival experience, but also deepen the conversation around language, representation and the tools African filmmakers need to thrive in a changing global industry.