Pan-African Critics Prize to Spotlight African Voices in Film Festivals

The African Film Press (AFP), an alliance of independent film platforms from across the continent, has announced the launch of the AFP Critics Prize, a new award aimed at amplifying African critical voices and giving filmmakers greater visibility within festival culture.

The award will make its debut this December at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) in Lagos, Nigeria. 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. In future editions, the panel will expand to include a larger pool of African and diaspora critics, ensuring a wide range of perspectives.

The prize comes with a cash award, a trophy, and a certificate, and is being described as an important step toward recognizing the role of African critics in shaping film discourse.

Read more:  Elani’s Wambui & Khula Budi picked as lead actors in new film ‘Love and Coffee’

“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,” said AFP co-founder Tambay Obenson. “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.”

AFP, founded in 2024, brings together three established platforms: Akoroko, which takes a pan-African and global industry perspective; Sinema Focus, focused on Kenya and East Africa; and What Kept Me Up, which covers Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa. The initiative has already received support from Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and early-stage investment from private backers. It is also planning to expand further, with a Southern Africa partner set to launch later this year.

Surreal16, which will host the debut award, is known as one of Africa’s most distinctive film festivals. Founded by Nigerian filmmakers CJ “Fiery” Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, it has become a champion of independent filmmaking and strong curatorial identity. The festival is supported by cultural partners including the French and Dutch embassies, the Goethe-Institut, and Sterling Bank.

For Obasi, whose film Mami Wata won the Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance 2023, the partnership with AFP marks an important cultural milestone. “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,” he said.

The AFP Critics Prize will be awarded at four African festivals annually, beginning with Surreal16 this December, embedding African voices more firmly at the heart of African cinema’s global story.