Award-winning Nigerian filmmaker Toka McBaror has been appointed to lead African film practitioners at the maiden Afric International Film Festival (AIFF), set to take place in early 2026. McBaror, who was recently unveiled as the festival’s program coordinator, shared his excitement about the upcoming event.

Founded by Nwakpa Wisdom Isaac and Ojini Eberechi, the AIFF aims to celebrate African culture, creativity, and community, providing a platform for filmmakers to showcase their talents.

Speaking on the festival, McBaror said the AIFF will unite visionary filmmakers, industry professionals, and passionate audiences for a truly immersive cinematic experience.

“The Afric International Film Festival promises a rich, inspiring, and immersive experience that blends cinema, culture, and global networking opportunities. Whether you are a filmmaker, student, industry executive, or film enthusiast, AIFF will offer something uniquely crafted for you,” he noted.

Nwakpa Wisdom emphasized that the festival is designed to build bridges between filmmakers, audiences, investors, and distributors across Africa and the diaspora, while also fostering artistic growth, education, funding, and collaboration.

“We’ll also be hosting masterclasses and ensuring a thoughtful selection of films—nothing too ambitious to manage,” he added.

The first edition of AIFF will be held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, promising to be a landmark celebration for African cinema.