AFRIFF 2026 announces its international jury

Lagos, 9 October 2026 — The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) announces the international jury for its fifteenth edition, taking place from 1–7 November 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria, under the theme Frames of the Future: Africa's Creative Intelligence.

Bringing together filmmakers, producers, critics, researchers, performers and entertainment strategists, the jury offers a wide range of perspectives on narrative craft, artistic originality, cultural authenticity and the international reach of African storytelling.

Zimbabwean-born film curator and programmer Keith Shiri joins AFRIFF as Festival Programmer and Jury Coordinator. His experience includes the London African Film Festival, programme advisory work for the BFI London Film Festival and Venice Film Festival, and service on international festival juries.

Joining Shiri are Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Fibby Kioria, Blessing Uzzi, Jerry Chiemeke, Michel Tabet, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Femi Elufowoju Jr. OBE, Dr Ahmed Al Othman and Jemilah Alghali.

Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri — Founder and Group CEO of Known Associates Group and Chairperson of the Independent Producers' Organisation. Her credits include uBettina Wethu, Wild Is the Wind and The Umbrella Men, alongside production executive work on Beast and The Woman King.

Blessing Uzzi — Founder of Bluhouse Studios and filmmaker behind Freedom Way, which premiered at Toronto in 2024, won the AFRIFF Jury Prize and received Best Movie and Best Writing at the 2025 AMVCA. She also produced and served as showrunner of the Zikoko Life Series.

Dr Ahmed Al Othman — An AFRIFF 2025 jury alumnus and member of the Oman Film Society, supporting international relations and cultural exchange. He champions opportunities connecting Omani filmmakers with the global film community.

Jean-Pierre Bekolo — Internationally recognised for Quartier Mozart and Les Saignantes, Bekolo explores African realities and futures through fiction, documentary and experimental cinema. He has taught at Duke University and was a Harvard McMillan-Stewart Fellow in 2024.

Fibby Kioria — Founder of Mucii Pictures and former Program Director of Mira Nair's Maisha Film Lab, where she oversaw more than thirty short films. She co-created Return to the Source and serves on the Locarno Open Doors selection committee.

Jerry Chiemeke — Berlinale Talents and Talents Durban alumnus, pioneering Editor-in-Chief of Afrocritik and recipient of the Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize for Criticism. His writing connects African cinema with international audiences and cultural conversations.

Michel Tabet — Affiliated with CNRS and the French Institute for the Near East, Tabet explores society, memory and cultural identity through documentary. His films include Voices from Kasserine, Méditerranée and Habiter Beyrouth.

Femi Elufowoju Jr. OBE — Founder of Tiata Fahodzi, with a career spanning theatre, film, television and opera. His directing credits include The Secret Lives of Baba Segi's Wives and Opera North's Rigoletto. He received an OBE for services to drama in 2023.

Jemilah Alghali — BET Media Group executive whose campaigns span the BET Awards, NAACP Image Awards, Love & Hip Hop Miami and Tyler Perry productions. Her work connects screen content, contemporary Black culture and audiences across Africa and the diaspora.

Together, these professionals bring complementary experience across African and international cinema, documentary practice, performance, film criticism, screen production and audience engagement to the evaluation of emerging cinematic voices.

Festival information, jury profiles and media accreditation are available through the AFRIFF website and Media Center.