The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has officially announced its complete international jury panel for its landmark 15th edition (AFRIFF 15), taking place from November 1st to November 7th, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Operating under the festival theme 'Frames of the Future', this year's international jury brings together a powerhouse lineup of award-winning filmmakers, film critics, scholars, global festival curators, and media executives spanning Africa, Europe, the Middle East, and the diaspora.

Highlighting the critical depth of the panel is award-winning Nigerian cultural writer, film critic, and former Afrocritik Editor-in-Chief Jerry Chiemeke. A Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize winner, Chiemeke brings a sharp critical lens shaped by his extensive coverage across major global film festivals such as Berlinale, Sundance, and Durban.

Joining him on the distinguished panel is acclaimed Nigerian filmmaker, writer, and Bluhouse Studios founder Blessing Uzzi, whose feature film 'Freedom Way' previously won the AFRIFF Jury Prize. Her return as a juror highlights her rising stature in continental cinema.

Also on the panel is UK-Nigerian director, actor, and playwright Femi Elufowoju Jr. OBE, awarded an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his landmark contributions to theater and performance across Africa and the United Kingdom.

The 11-member AFRIFF 15 Jury panel comprises:

  1. Jerry Chiemeke (Nigeria): Award-winning film critic, cultural writer, Ken Saro-Wiwa Prize winner, and former Editor-in-Chief at Afrocritik.
  2. Blessing Uzzi (Nigeria): Filmmaker, writer, producer, and founder of Bluhouse Studios; past AFRIFF Jury Prize winner for 'Freedom Way'.
  3. Femi Elufowoju Jr. OBE (Nigeria / UK): Acclaimed director, actor, playwright, and performer honored with an OBE for service to drama.
  4. Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri (South Africa): Prominent media executive, film producer, and CEO/Founder of Known Associates Group, spearheading pan-African commercial investment and content production.
  5. Dr. Ahmed Al Othman (Oman): Member of the Oman Film Society returning for his second consecutive jury stint following his service on the 2025 panel, working to foster Arab-African cultural exchanges.
  6. Jean-Pierre Bekolo (Cameroon): Legendary avant-garde filmmaker, author, and scholar behind seminal titles such as 'Quartier Mozart', 'Aristotle's Plot', and 'Les Saignantes'.
  7. Michel Tabet (France / Lebanon): Franco-Lebanese documentary filmmaker and visual anthropologist exploring social movements, cultural rituals, and marginalized communities across the Arab world.
  8. Fibby Kioria (Kenya): Creative executive, producer, and former Program Director at Maisha Film Lab, renowned for talent incubator leadership in East Africa.
  9. Keith Shiri (UK / Zimbabwe): Veteran international film curator and advisor who has served on major global panels, including the Berlinale World Cinema Fund.
  10. Rasheed Alyafai (Oman): Director of the Dhofar International Film Festival, film executive, and director championing cross-cultural co-productions.
  11. Jemilah Alghali (International): Entertainment marketing and brand strategy executive specializing in global media distribution campaigns.

The jury is tasked with adjudicating entries across the feature narrative, short film, documentary, and animation categories throughout the festival week in Lagos.