Elegbede Abiodun
The festival attractions include All-Day Screenings featuring a curated selection of thought-provoking local and international films.
The 23rd Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF) will bring together cinema, innovation, and global partnerships under the theme “Frames without Borders: AI, Ethics, and the Future of Filmmaking.”
Scheduled to take place from October 20 to October 25, 2026, in the heart of Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja.
Reflecting on the vision behind this year’s theme, the Founder of the AIFF, Fidelis Duker, stated: “For over two decades, this festival has pushed the boundaries of cinematic dialogue. As artificial intelligence fundamentally alters how we create, we must confront the ethical questions head-on. AI should be a tool that empowers the storyteller, not one that compromises the soul of the craft. This year, we are providing the definitive platform to shape that future.”
In a massive boost for international industry collaboration, the festival organisers are proud to announce the presence of a high-profile 10-member diplomatic and industry delegation from the China Film Administration.
Led personally by its esteemed Chairman, Mr. Bia, the delegation is visiting Nigeria with a strategic focus on forging powerful bilateral ties between the Nollywood and Chinese film markets.
During the festival, Mr Bia and his delegation will engage in crucial bilateral roundtables, panel discussions, and networking sessions explicitly centred on accelerating international co-production initiatives and cross-continental film distribution networks. This landmark visit opens unprecedented doors for Nigerian filmmakers looking to break into the massive Asian cinematic market and vice versa.
Festival Director Temitope Duker highlighted the immense value of this international partnership, noting, “We are thrilled to welcome Mr Bia and the entire Chinese delegation to Abuja. This visit represents a massive bridge between two of the world’s most vibrant film hubs. By uniting Nollywood’s raw storytelling energy with China’s expansive market infrastructure, we are creating tangible distribution and co-production opportunities that will elevate our local filmmakers onto the global stage.”
As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the creative landscape, the 23rd AIFF is emerging as a crucial platform for examining the intersection of technology and art. Filmmakers, tech enthusiasts, and cinephiles will gather to explore the ethical boundaries, challenges, and unprecedented creative opportunities that AI brings to the global film industry.
In a significant move to foster inclusivity and support the thriving creative community, the organisers have announced that attendance is entirely FREE for the public across its primary scheduled attractions.
Attendees can look forward to a rich and diverse lineup of festival programs running from October 20 to October 24, 2026, hosted at the premier Silverbird Cinemas CBD, Abuja, Nigeria. The festival attractions include All-Day Screenings featuring a curated selection of thought-provoking local and international films. The festival will also feature Masterclasses & Panel Discussions led by industry experts who will tackle film craft, technology, the ethical use of AI, and international co-production strategies.
The festival kicks off with a glamorous, exclusive Opening Ceremony on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at Silverbird Cinemas CBD. This high-profile opening night event is strictly by invitation.
The week of cinematic celebration will culminate in the prestigious AIFF Award Night on Sunday, October 25, 2026. The closing ceremony will move to the luxurious Banquet Hall at National Merit House, Maitama – Abuja, where the festival will honour outstanding filmmakers, exceptional talent, and innovative storytelling that pushed boundaries over the past year.
Driven by its core pillars ~ Film, People, Ideas, and Opportunities -the 23rd Abuja International Film Festival stands as a beacon for cultural exchange and technical evolution. Whether you are an industry veteran looking to navigate the future of AI or a movie lover eager to experience boundary-pushing cinema, the gates of AIFF 2026 are wide open.
