The African film landscape is poised for a significant shift with the introduction of the AFP Critics Prize, an initiative spearheaded by the newly formed African Film Press (AFP). This award, mirroring the esteemed FIPRESCI Prize, aims to amplify the voices of African film critics within the festival circuit, fostering a more robust and nuanced dialogue around African cinema. The inaugural award will be presented at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) in Lagos in December 2025, marking a pivotal moment in recognizing and celebrating the critical analysis of African filmmaking.
The AFP Critics Prize represents a concerted effort to integrate African critical perspectives into the heart of festival culture, traditionally dominated by Western viewpoints. By providing a platform for African critics to assess and evaluate films emerging from the continent, the award seeks to cultivate a deeper understanding and appreciation of African cinema’s diverse narratives, artistic expressions, and cultural nuances. This initiative also aims to elevate public discourse surrounding African film, moving beyond superficial commentary and engaging with the complex themes, innovative techniques, and socio-political contexts that shape these cinematic works.
The selection process for the inaugural AFP Critics Prize will be overseen by the three founding editors of AFP: Tambay Obenson of Akoroko, Jennifer Ochieng of Sinema Focus, and Ikeade Oriade of What Kept Me Up. These established platforms, representing diverse regions and perspectives within African cinema, will bring their collective expertise and critical acumen to bear in identifying the most deserving film. In future iterations of the award, the jury will expand to encompass a broader range of critical voices from across the African continent and its diaspora, further enriching the evaluative process and ensuring a multifaceted representation of critical thought.
The AFP Critics Prize carries substantial weight, not only in terms of its symbolic significance but also its tangible rewards. The winning filmmaker will receive a cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate, signifying the importance placed on critical recognition within the African film industry. This recognition extends beyond the individual filmmaker, serving to elevate the profile of the chosen film and attracting wider attention from audiences, distributors, and other stakeholders in the global film community.
The collaboration between AFP and Surreal16 Film Festival represents a natural synergy, aligning both organizations’ commitments to fostering independent filmmaking and challenging conventional narratives. Surreal16, known for its bold curatorial vision and its embrace of risk-taking cinematic endeavors, provides the ideal launchpad for the AFP Critics Prize. The festival’s emphasis on originality and its platform for diverse voices resonates deeply with AFP’s mission to amplify African perspectives and promote critical engagement within the African film landscape.
The establishment of AFP, supported by the German agency GIZ and private backers, marks a significant step towards strengthening the infrastructure for film criticism and analysis within Africa. The alliance, comprising Akoroko (pan-African and global focus), Sinema Focus (Kenya and East Africa), and What Kept Me Up (Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa), is poised to expand its reach with the upcoming launch of its Southern Africa chapter. With plans to present the AFP Critics Prize at four African festivals annually, AFP is laying the groundwork for a more vibrant and critically informed ecosystem for African cinema, fostering greater appreciation and understanding of the continent’s rich and evolving cinematic traditions. The partnership with Surreal16, founded by Nigerian filmmakers CJ “Fiery” Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, further solidifies the award’s commitment to recognizing and celebrating the bold, innovative, and culturally resonant narratives that define contemporary African cinema. The success of Obasi’s film “Mami Wata” at Sundance and its subsequent selection as Nigeria’s Oscar submission underscores the potential of African cinema to reach global audiences and garner international acclaim. The AFP Critics Prize will play a vital role in identifying and promoting such exceptional cinematic achievements, ensuring that African voices are heard and celebrated within the global film community
