The Royal African Society is delighted to announce that Film Africa, one of the most anticipated and celebrated showcases of African cinema in Europe, will return for its 12th edition from 14-23 November. This year’s festival promises an exhilarating array of groundbreaking films, documentaries, shorts director Q&As, intimate discussions, master classes delivered by leading experts and unforgettable cultural encounters – showcasing the richness, diversity, and creativity of African filmmaking.

WATCH THE OFFICIAL 2025 FESTIVAL TRAILER

In partnership with the BFI Southbank, the opening the film on Gala night (14th November) is ‘My Father’s Shadow’ (2025, Nigeria). In his powerful debut, director Akinola Davis Jr (with Sope Dirisu, Goodwin Egbo and Chibuke Marvelous) crafts a tense, moving portrait of fractured bonds, resilience, and hope in a single day, during Lagos’ 1993 election unrest.

Closing the festival (23rd November) is ‘Katanga’ (2025, Burkina Faso), directed by Dani Kouate with Prosper Compaore, Hafissata Coulibaly and Hadissa Iboudo.

Winner of the FESPACO’s 2025 Yennenga Golden Stallion, Katanga: The Dance of the Scorpions reimagines Macbeth in Africa. A prophecy leaves Katanga destined to seize the crown – or lose his life – in a tense saga of power, betrayal and fate.

Film Africa 2025, will shine a spotlight on the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a nation with a powerful cinematic voice and vibrant cultural heritage. The spotlight programme will feature a mix of features, documentaries, and shorts, exploring Congolese identity, memory, and history. The Royal African Society welcomes celebrated Congolese filmmaker and artist Sammy Baloji, to the opening screening, alongside invited guests from across Africa and Europe, marking a moment of cultural pride and connection.

Audiences, can expect an explosive mix of African feature films from across the continent, bringing together both seasoned masters and daring emerging voices. The documentary strand will take audiences deep into Africa’s urgent social, political, and cultural realities, offering insightful perspectives on contemporary issues, while the short film programme will showcase new voices and experimental work, pushing the boundaries of traditional storytelling.

The intellectual centrepiece of the festival will be the Symposium: African Cinema and Liberation, featuring a landmark conversation between celebrated artist-filmmaker Sir John Akomfrah and pioneering American filmmaker Billy Woodberry. Both are giants in their fields: Akomfrah has used the moving image as a form of historical reparation, transforming archives into poetry, while Woodberry, a founding figure of the L.A. Rebellion and director of Bless Their Little Hearts and Mário, has dedicated his career to portraying Black experience and anti-colonial struggle through the lens of Third Cinema. Together, they will explore the role of cinema in resisting colonial narratives, reimagining freedom, and advancing African cultural sovereignty.

A rare highlight, Film Africa is delighted to host a special masterclass with one of Africa’s most acclaimed and influential filmmakers. Kunle Afolayan will be in conversation with film and television executive Tendeka Matatu. Afolayan has consistently pushed Nollywood beyond its traditional frameworks, fusing local narratives with universal themes and technical innovation. This is a unique opportunity to hear directly from a director whose work embodies the energy, ambition, and artistry of contemporary African cinema.

Film Africa 2025 will also pay tribute to Souleymane Cissé, the legendary Malian filmmaker who passed away in February 2025. His groundbreaking work, including the Cannes Jury Prize–winning Yeelen (The Light), redefined African cinema and brought it global recognition. The tribute will include a retrospective of Cissé’s films alongside a personal documentary by his daughter, Fatou Cissé, chronicling his life and artistic journey.

This year’s festival promises an exhilarating array of groundbreaking films, documentaries, shorts, director Q&A’s, intimate discussions, masterclasses delivered by leading experts and unforgettable cultural encounters  -showcasing the richness, diversity and creativity of African filmmaking.

For more information, visit www.filmafrica.org