African Film Press to launch Critics Prize at Lagos Surreal16 festival
Tambay Obenson (Akoroko), Jennifer Ochieng (Sinema Focus), Ikeade Oriade (What Kept Me Up). Photo: African Film Press / David Wambula
African Film Press, an alliance of independent film platforms across the continent, has announced the unveil of the AFP Critics Prize, a new award designed to spotlight African critical voices in film festivals.
The prize, inspired by the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize, will debut at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) scheduled to hold in Lagos in December 2025.
According to AFP, in a statement made available to PUNCH Online on Wednesday, the initiative is aimed at bringing visibility and critical perspectives into African festival culture while elevating public discourse around African cinema.
For the inaugural edition, the winning film will be selected by AFP’s three founding editors — Tambay Obenson of Akoroko, Jennifer Ochieng of Sinema Focus, and Ikeade Oriade of What Kept Me Up.
Future editions will expand the jury to include a broader pool of critics from across Africa and the diaspora.
The award, AFP revealed in the statement dated August 23, 2025, will come with a cash prize, trophy and certificate.
Co-founder Tambay Obenson said the move was a step towards ensuring African critics have a central role in festival culture.
“We see the AFP Critics Prize as an important step in centering African critical voices in festival culture, while also creating visibility and recognition for filmmakers on the continent.
“Surreal16 was the natural place to begin. The timing aligned, and their focus on bold, independent storytelling made it the right partner for launching the prize,” Obenson said.
Similarly, filmmaker and Surreal16 co-founder CJ “Fiery” Obasi expressed excitement over the partnership.
“We’re excited the inaugural AFP Critics Prize will be presented at Surreal16. From the beginning, our festival has been about creating space for risk-taking and originality, and partnering with African Film Press ensures African critics are part of shaping that conversation,” Obasi said.
AFP was founded in 2024 with support from the German agency GIZ and private backers.
It brings together three established platforms — Akoroko (pan-African and global focus), Sinema Focus (Kenya and East Africa), and What Kept Me Up (Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa).
The alliance plans to launch its Southern Africa chapter in September.
The group also intends to present the AFP Critics Prize at four African festivals annually, beginning with Surreal16 this year.
Founded by Nigerian filmmakers Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, Surreal16 Film Festival has gained recognition for its bold curatorial identity and support from partners including the French and Dutch embassies, the Goethe-Institut, and Sterling Bank.
Obasi’s film Mami Wata won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance in 2023 and was Nigeria’s submission to the 2024 Oscars.
