AFRIFF 2024: 17 Nollywood Films You Need to Watch

The African International Film Festival returns from November 3rd to 9th with the theme “Indigenous to Global: Cultural Wealth to Global Prosperity”. The festival will feature a packed lineup of shorts, features and documentaries from across the continent, screened both in and out of competition. 

This year’s theme continues the ongoing conversation in Nigeria and across Africa about telling stories for a global audience. AFRIFF continues to position itself as a major port of call for these conversations, featuring film screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses, and awards—all in celebration of our vibrant film industry. 

With excitement brewing ahead of opening night, we have curated a list of must-see films at this year’s edition. 

• Headless 

Billed as the opening film, Headless, directed by Michael Ndiomu, finds a story that bridges crime, politics and the film industry. When a morally ambiguous Nollywood film producer is discovered with a decapitated human head in the boot of his car, the unholy intersection of these industries begins to unfold. The film stars Gideon Okeke, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Iremide Adeoye, Ruby Okezie and Baaj Adebule.

• We Have Bleach 

One of the most anticipated short films of the season, We Have Bleach directed by Aisha Salaudeen taps into the coming-of-age genre, telling the story of a teenager on the journey to self-discovery who finds herself in the middle of decisions that will affect her life and future. Starring Fadesaye Olateru-Olagbegi, Ginikachkwu Tagbo and Mawuyon Ogun, We Have Bleach has been gathering buzz ahead of its AFRIFF premiere and we think it’s one you should look out for.

• Dynamite 

Films inspired by music have always captured hearts and Dynamite is positioned to be one of those. Directed by Uche Aguh and starring Ifeoma Chukwuogo whose EP inspired the film, the story follows Kiki, a songstress managed by her controlling husband and set to release her latest album who meets her new bassist, Kofi (played by Andrew Yaw Bunting), and things take a risky turn. Bringing a new visual dimension to Ifeoma`s music, Dynamite is poised to make sparks fly at AFRIFF. 

• Closed Book

The tussle between religion and loss takes the front seat in this short film directed by Isiaka Shem. Closed Book chronicles the story of Reverend Blake, whose lifelong prayer for love is finally answered, only to be taken from him by death. As he grapples with doubt and disbelief, he begins to question the foundation of his faith. Starring Ifeanyi Okondu and Sharon Rotimi, the short film is sure to spark conversation in a religious society like ours.

• A Ghetto Love Story 

Executive produced by Basketmouth and directed by Daniel Oriahi, A Ghetto Love Story lives up to its title by following the love between Obinna and Stella as it weaves in and out of many circumstances. Poised to be an audience hit, the film stars Akah Nnani, Beverly Osu, Wale Ojo, and Patience Ozokwo. Inspired by true events, A Ghetto Love Story will have many relating to its themes once it premieres at AFRIFF ahead of its theatrical release in November. 

• Phoenix Fury

A story that reaches across two countries with deeply entwined history, Phoenix Fury follows Ewura-Ama who is recently widowed and inherits a luxury resort in Ghana. Her life takes a new twist when Yali, a newly elected governor in Nigeria arrives at the resort and upends everything. Written, directed and produced by Ifeoma Chukwuogo, the film stars Uzoamaka Aniunoh, RMD, Fadekemi Olumide-Aluko, Onyinye Odokoro, Shalewa Ashafa, Joseph Momodu, Ama K Abebrese, Ijeoma Grace Agu, and Tina Mba.

• T`Egbon T`Aburo

High off a great festival run, T`egbon T`aburo continues its streak at AFRIFF. Directed by Orire Nwani, the film tells a tale of sibling rivalry that is all too familiar and stars Carole King and Adeola Awodein. Following acclaim for the performances, it is definitely one to watch at this edition of AFRIFF. 

• Love, Olaitan

Directed by Moyosore Akinsete, Love, Olaitan explores the depth of familial bonds that exist between a father and his daughter. With buzz around its technical details and meditative filmmaking, this short film starring Nene Aliemeke, Keziah Abiaka and Tiwalola Adebola-Walter is one to keep an eye out for at AFRIFF. 

• The Artifact

A film that has positioned itself as a Nigerian adventure of epic proportions, the Lord Tanner-directed feature follows four friends who embark on a journey around Nigeria to find three precious stones on a missing artifact. Starring Sharon Rotimi, Adeoluwa Akintoba, Miracle Inyanda and Ovy Godwin, the film`s unique story makes it one to look out for at AFRIFF ahead of an expected January 2025 theatrical release.

• The Other Side Of The Bridge 

Cushioning a story of class and power in a sports drama is a recipe for a film everyone would want to see. Directed by Fiyin Gambo and starring Demi Banwo and Tobi Bakre, the film follows two boxers from vastly different backgrounds who must fight in a monumental match that threatens to divide the city of Lagos. Also starring Olarotimi Fakunle, Ireti Doyle, Mike Afolarin, Teniola Aladese and Gbubemi Ejeye, sports dramas in Nigeria have been few and far between but this year they’ve had some sort of renaissance so The Other Side Of The Bridge is a welcome addition to this genre and everyone should be on the lookout at AFRIFF. 

• Recall

Kunle Afolayan is no stranger to the festival circuit and he is back again with the psychological thriller, Recall. Set in the city of Lagos, it follows the tale of a couple, Goke (Olarotimi Fakunle) and Anita, who seem to have a perfect relationship till the unexpected happens, leading them to a dark labyrinth of secrets and mysteries. Starring Sharon Ooja in the main role, Kunle`s affinity for these kinds of stories makes Recall a title you shouldn’t miss at AFRIFF. 

• Dan Bature Kudawa

A documentary that’s sure to stir some important conversations on the limits of cultural exchange in line with this year`s AFRIFF theme, Dan Bature Kudawa follows a British man, Luke Leyland, who travels to Katsina to compete in the Dambe fights—a traditional martial art style that it still finding footing in Nigeria. This documentary is set to shed light on this scene while examining how our cultures travel around the world. 

• Acta Non Verba 

Film exists as a medium to continue to push the boundaries of storytelling, to challenge the many lenses through which a single story can be seen and Acta Non Verba fits into that criteria. A short film that brought three directors (Rowdy, Miriam Deka and Ola Jegede IV) to direct the same actor for their interpretations of the same story, this experiment starring Sharon Rotimi brings a unique perspective to the festival and is definitely one to look forward to. 

• Freedom Way

The End SARS protests of 2020 in Nigeria have inspired numerous films, as pivotal political moments often do. Freedom Way, directed by Afolabi Olalekan, joins this collection. The film follows the intersecting lives of three young tech startup cofounders, a doctor, a motorcyclist, a doctor and two police officers, revealing the bleak realities they each face. Starring Adebowale ‘Mr Macaroni’ Adedayo, Mike Afolarin, Femi Jacobs and Bimbo Akintola, Freedom Way adds a new dimension to the police brutality conversation. It’s definitely a must-catch at AFRIFF 2024.

• The Man Died

A film that has toured festivals around the world and country, the Professor Awam Amkpa-directed feature The Man Died will screen at AFRIFF. Inspired by Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka`s prison notes during his 27-month incarceration just before the Nigerian civil war, the film is a small window into a time of history that the country has not fully healed from. 

• Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos

Inspired by the true events of the Otodo Gbame community in 2016, the Agbajowo Collective`s debut feature highlights the constant displacement of inhabitants of informal settlement areas in Nigeria. It tells the story of Jawu, a young single mother, whose fate leads her to uncover the corruption behind the loss of her home. Starring Temi Ami-Williams and Adebowale ‘Mr Macaroni’ Adedayo, its subject matter makes it not just a fictional story but a sort of historical archiving that everyone should see. 

• Out Of Breath 

An Igbo language film that has racked up nine nominations already at the Africa Movie Academy Awards, Out Of Breath closes out the festival with constantly building excitement and anticipation. Starring Kanayo O Kanayo, Ebele Okaro, Queen Nwokoye, Chidi Mokeme and Jide Kene Achufusi, the film inspired by true events narrates the story of a village elder who defies a cruel, deadly tradition and the fallout. Its dedication to an indigenous lens while exploring the ways traditions are challenged and evolve makes it a perfect fit to close out the festival.

This year’s AFRIFF will be held in Lagos from November 3-9, 2024. Kindly confirm the exact showing times for the films on AFRIFF’s website.

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