The Africa International Film Festival has reversed its earlier decision to charge for screenings at this year's edition. The Obi Adada Foundation has stepped in to cover the cost of screening tickets, meaning attendance at AFRIFF 2026 will now be free for all attendees.
The festival had initially announced paid ticketing alongside its first wave of programme details. That plan has now been dropped, with the foundation's intervention restoring free access for the public.
AFRIFF 2026 marks the festival's 15th edition and runs from 1 to 7 November in Lagos, under the theme "Frames of the Future: Africa's Creative Intelligence." The festival's content market, AFCM, runs from 2 to 5 November, and the Globe Awards close out the week on the final day.
The opening film is "Lady," directed by Olive Nwosu, a Nigerian-British feature following a Lagos cab driver who grows close to a group of sex workers. The film has already had a strong festival run, winning the Special Jury Award for Acting Ensemble at Sundance before screening at the Berlinale and BFI London. Its AFRIFF slot brings it to an African festival audience for the first time. The cast includes Bucci Franklin, Seun Kuti, Jessica Gabriel, Amanda Oruh and Tinuade Jemiseye.
Closing the festival is "It's the Blackness," the directorial debut of actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim, written by Dapo Oshiyemi. The British dark comedy follows two Black graduates navigating unemployment, relationships and family pressure, with a cast led by Kalu Ikeagwu and Dolapo Oni.
AFRIFF also used the announcement to introduce a new prize, the Pulse Rising Filmmaker Award, added to this year's Globe Awards in partnership with Pulse Nigeria to recognise emerging filmmakers.
With the ticketing reversal, the Obi Adada Foundation's support removes a cost barrier that would have kept some filmgoers away from a festival built around wide public access to African cinema.
