Film Africa 2025
Film Africa returns, running from the 14-23 of November 2025.
Brought to you by the Royal African Society founded in 1901, with a Royal Charter, it is one of the UK’s oldest and most respected institutions dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of Africa and fostering stronger relations between the UK, Africa, and the wider world. Through conferences, cultural festivals, publications, and policy dialogues, the Society brings together business leaders, artists, academics, policymakers and civil society to showcase Africa’s achievements and address its challenges.
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Established in 2011, Film Africa, is the UK’s leading festival celebrating African and African diaspora cinema. Film Africa 2025 will be the 12th edition, championing contemporary and classic cinema from across Africa and its diaspora.
14 November 2025
During Lagos’ 1993 election unrest, an estranged father and his two young sons navigate a city in turmoil.
In his powerful debut, Akinola Davies Jr crafts a tense, moving portrait of fractured bonds, resilience, and hope in a single day.
Closing film: Katanga
23 November 2025
Winner of FESPACO’s 2025 Yennenga Golden Stallion, Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions reimagines Macbeth in Africa.
A prophecy leaves Katanga destined to seize the crown – or lose his life – in a tense saga of power, betrayal, and fate.
Other highlights
This year’s highlights include:
DRC Now: Rising Voices
A spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation with a powerful cinematic voice and vibrant cultural heritage. The spotlight programme will feature a mix of features, documentaries, and shorts, exploring Congolese identity, memory, and history. The Royal African Society welcomes celebrated Congolese filmmaker and artist Sammy Baloji, to the opening screening, alongside invited guests from across Africa and Europe, marking a moment of cultural pride and connection.
Audiences can expect an explosive mix of African feature films from across the continent, bringing together both seasoned masters and daring emerging voices. The documentary strand will take audiences deep into Africa’s urgent social, political, and cultural realities, offering insightful perspectives on contemporary issues, while the short film programme will showcase new voices and experimental work, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling.
The intellectual centrepiece of the festival will be the Symposium: African Cinema and Liberation, featuring a landmark conversation between Billy Woodberry, a pioneering filmmaker and one of the founding figures of the L.A. Rebellion, also known as the Los Angeles School of Black Filmmakers and celebrated artist-filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah. Together, they will explore the role of cinema in resisting colonial narratives and advancing African cultural sovereignty.
A rare highlight, Film Africa is delighted to host a special masterclass with one of Africa’s most acclaimed and influential filmmakers. Kunle Afolayan will be in conversation with film and television executive Tendeka Matatu. Afolayan has consistently pushed Nollywood beyond its traditional frameworks, fusing local narratives with universal themes and technical innovation. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a director whose work embodies the energy, ambition, and artistry of contemporary African cinema.
Film Africa 2025 will also pay tribute to Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker who passed away in February 2025. His groundbreaking work, including the Cannes Jury Prize–winning Yeelen (The Light), redefined African cinema and brought it global recognition. The tribute will include a retrospective of Cissé’s films alongside a personal documentary by his daughter, Fatou Cissé, chronicling his life and artistic journey.
Meet the Film Africa Team
Stella Okuzu – Interim Director & CEO of the Royal African Society
Keith Shiri – Lead Curator
Cecilia Zoppelletto – Programme Advisor
Andrea Voges – Programme Advisor
Michael Burgess – Festival Producer
Hae Su Shin – Content Creator & Social Media Manager
Uchechi Eke – Head of Fundraising & Operations
Jack Chiang – Film Traffic Coordinator
Taiwo George – Website Manager
Jojo Ajisafe – Festival Administrator
Here’s a recap of our selected titles from the 2024 festival: