For ten days, London will come alive with African creativity during Film Africa 2025, a festival celebrating the richness, diversity, and narrative power of the continent’s cinema. From red carpet galas and expert-led workshops to intimate panels and cultural gatherings, the city will become a global hub for film and cultural dialogue. This year’s edition will open and close at BFI Southbank, with gala screenings attended by filmmakers, artists, cultural leaders, and industry representatives. The festival will open with “My Father’s Shadow” by Akinola Davies Jr. and close with “Katanga” by Dani Kouyate.
Equatorial Guinea: Dreams Hub and SOS Children’s Villages explore opportunities for collaboration
Cultural focus and program highlights
The 2025 program will shine a spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation with a powerful cinematic voice and vibrant cultural heritage. Feature films, documentaries, and shorts will explore Congolese identity, memory, and history. The opening gala will welcome renowned Congolese filmmaker Sammy Baloji and distinguished guests from Africa and Europe, marking a moment of pride and cross-cultural connection.
The festival will showcase a mix of established masters and emerging voices, addressing themes from migration and social change to resilience and the beauty of everyday African life. Documentaries will highlight pressing social and cultural realities, while shorts will feature experimental works that push narrative boundaries. Q&A sessions and panel discussions will allow audiences to engage with filmmakers and gain insight into their creative processes. The Symposium: African Cinema and Liberation will feature a historic conversation between Mozambican producer Pedro Pimenta and acclaimed filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah, exploring cinema’s role in resisting colonial narratives and advancing African cultural sovereignty.
Masterclasses, tributes, and legacy
A major highlight will be the masterclass by Kunle Afolayan, one of Africa’s most influential filmmakers. From The Figurine to Aníkúlápó, Afolayan has elevated Nollywood, blending local narratives with universal themes and innovative techniques. In conversation with Tendeka Matatu, he will share his vision for contemporary African cinema and its global impact.
The festival will also pay tribute to Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian director who passed away in February 2025. The retrospective will feature his landmark films, including Yeelen (The Light), along with a personal documentary by his daughter, Fatou Cissé, chronicling his life and artistic legacy.
Film Africa 2025 will reaffirm the vital role of African cinema as a cultural bridge and platform for global dialogue. Across multiple venues in London, African stories will inspire conversation, nurture creativity, and celebrate cinematic innovation. With screenings, live discussions, and special events, Film Africa will be more than a festival: it will be a movement, a meeting space, and a window into the future of African cinema.
