Chioma Ude celebrated women in African cinema with an intimate dinner during the 15th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), bringing together female filmmakers, producers and directors for an evening dedicated to their work and contributions to the industry.
The gathering offered guests an opportunity to connect away from the festival’s regular programme, with conversations, fashion and a specially arranged dining experience forming part of the evening. The dinner brought together women working across different areas of filmmaking, creating space to exchange ideas, reconnect with industry colleagues and celebrate their roles in African storytelling.
Ude, founder and executive director of AFRIFF, established the festival in 2010 to showcase African creative talent and provide filmmakers with opportunities to reach wider audiences. Over its 15 years, AFRIFF has developed into a platform for African cinema, bringing filmmakers and other industry professionals together to showcase their work and engage with the wider film industry.
The anniversary dinner provided an opportunity to recognise the women contributing to that growth, from those directing and producing films to others working behind the scenes to bring African stories to the screen.
Food was also central to the evening, with chef Tolu Eros curating a multi-course menu that presented West African flavours in a fine-dining setting. The dining experience complemented the evening’s social atmosphere, giving guests another reason to gather and enjoy the celebration.
Through the dinner, Ude placed the women working across African cinema at the centre of AFRIFF’s 15th anniversary celebrations, recognising their contributions to an industry whose stories continue to reach audiences across the continent and beyond.
See more photos from the evening below.
