The Africa Film Finance Forum (AFFF) says it plans to unlock a $20 billion Pan-African film economy to address long-standing issues of underfunding and informality in the continent’s film industry.
Mary Ephraim-Egbas, Convener of AFFF, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Lagos.
She said although storytelling originated in Africa and continues to influence culture and community, the continent’s film industry remains largely informal and undercapitalised.
“To compete globally, Africa must move beyond just telling stories to turning them into valuable exports,” she said. “AFFF is bridging the gap by linking creative talent to funding, policies, and platforms.”
She said these efforts will come to life at AFFF 2025, scheduled for Sept. 16 to 18 in Lagos.
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Bolaji Abimbola, Co-chair of AFFF’s Public Relations and Strategic Communications Committee, said the forum’s mission is about more than just film.
“AFFF is about job creation, exports, digital platforms, and the right policies to support industry growth,” she said.
Another Co-chair, Clarina De Freitas, noted that Africa’s stories can only become powerful economic tools when supported by finance, distribution, and credible institutions.
“AFFF is building a Pan-African film ecosystem led by Africans, not outsiders, who truly understand the value of their stories,” she said.
The upcoming forum, themed “Pan-African Film Economy: Building a $20 Billion Industry for 1.4 Billion People,” is expected to bring together key players across filmmaking, investment, policy, distribution, and technology.
