Some critical stakeholders in the African film industry are already arriving in Lagos for the 2025 Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF).
The event is slated for September 16–18, 2025, and it would be used to catalyze the growth of a $20 billion Pan-African film economy.
The theme for this year’s programme is Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 billion Industry for 1.4 billion People. The forum will create actionable strategies to connect creative talent with financial systems, policy frameworks, and technological innovation, driving economic impact across the continent.
Expected to partake in the brainstorming sessions are filmmakers, investors, policymakers, financiers, distributors, and tech innovators.
According to the organisers, about 1,000 emerging Nigerian and African creative talents will gain access to rigorous, targeted training modules, structured mentorship engagements, and unparalleled networking opportunities within the film investment sectors.
The training is sponsored by the NNPC Foundation through the Youth Empowerment Programme (YEP), in collaboration with AFFF.
The convener of AFFF, Mrs Mary Ephraim-Egbas, said AFFF 2025 would also feature key initiatives, including: Investor’s Room & Deal Table, Certified Finance Training for Banks & Investors; Policy Roundtables to engage government leaders on aligning film with national development strategies and GDP growth; Cinetour session aimed at promoting Africa’s film locations to drive tourism and investment and FilmTech Track session to showcase technologies that enhance production, distribution, and transparency.
“African storytelling is a cultural cornerstone, but its economic potential remains untapped. This forum will bridge creativity and capital, ensuring African stories fuel wealth creation and global influence while preserving our heritage,” she stated.
Commenting on the forum, the co-chair of the AFFF PR and Strategic Communications Committee, Bolaji Abimbola, said, “Film is more than art—it’s economic infrastructure. AFFF is building systems to create jobs, boost exports, and position Africa as a global content powerhouse.”
Also, a fellow co-chair, Clarina De Freitas, remarked that, “This is the moment for Africa’s stories to shape the global market. With the right financing and platforms, our narratives can drive prosperity and ownership for Africans.”