On 17th November, Film Africa together with BAFTA is hosting a special masterclass with Kunle Afolayan, whose work embodies the energy, ambition, and artistry of contemporary African cinema. Afolayan redefined Nollywood by fusing local narratives with universal themes and technical innovation, demonstrating that African popular cinema can be both commercially successful and artistically ambitious. In conversation with film and television executive Tendeka Matatu, Afolayan will discuss his distinctive storytelling approach, his Netflix collaborations (Swallow, 2021; Aníkúlápó, 2022; and Ijogbon, 2023) and his mission to inspire the next generation of African filmmakers. His breakthrough feature The Figurine (2009) will be screened at the festival.