Lagos Secures Exclusive African Role at Prestigious Cannes Film Festival
In a landmark development for African cinema, Lagos has been officially designated as the only African partner city for the 2026 'Goes to Cannes' program, which operates within the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. This significant recognition positions Nigeria's bustling metropolis as the continent's sole representative at one of the world's most influential film markets.
AFRIFF Takes Center Stage as Continental Curator
The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has been entrusted with the crucial responsibility of serving as Africa's exclusive curator for this initiative. From May 12th to 20th, 2026, at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes, France, AFRIFF will present a carefully selected slate of Nigerian and African films currently in post-production to the global film industry's most powerful players.
This strategic placement provides African filmmakers with unprecedented access to influential distributors, sales agents, and festival programmers who can secure deals, financing, and exhibition opportunities before films are even completed.
The 'Goes to Cannes' Program: More Than Just Recognition
Contrary to being merely an honorary acknowledgment, 'Goes to Cannes' represents a substantive working program embedded within the Marché du Film, the Cannes Film Market. Established in 1959, this market attracts over 12,500 industry professionals annually and facilitates transactions worth between $600 million and $1 billion across approximately 4,000 films and projects.
The program specifically allows participating film festivals worldwide to curate and pitch their own selection of films in post-production directly to potential buyers and investors.
AFRIFF's Selection Process and Responsibilities
As the designated partner, AFRIFF faces specific responsibilities and criteria:
- Selection of five to seven Nigerian and African titles representing the continent
- Allocation of two hours during the market to pitch each project comprehensively
- Presentation of ten-to-fifteen-minute extended teasers for each selected film
- Live pitches outlining completion requirements for each project
The selection criteria mandate that films must be in post-production, must not have screened at any international festival, and must not have been released online. AFRIFF is also expected to balance genres across their slate, potentially including:
- Thrillers
- Social dramas
- Documentaries
- Animations
- Historical epics
Strategic Background and Previous Agreements
This invitation follows a significant Memorandum of Understanding signed in May 2025 between AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude and the Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy at Cannes itself. That agreement directly led to the creation of the AFRIFF Film and Content Market, making this year's participation a natural progression of that partnership.
The development signals that Nigeria's creative economy is being recognized as a legitimate vehicle for international engagement and collaboration.
Broader Implications for Nigerian and African Cinema
While individual filmmakers stand to gain concrete benefits such as sales agents, co-production deals, or festival premiere slots, the broader significance extends far beyond single projects. For years, Nigerian and African filmmakers have navigated global markets largely independently, often purchasing their own market access and building connections from scratch.
This program represents a structural shift, recognizing and platforming the Nigerian film ecosystem as a collective entity. AFRIFF now serves as the institutional bridge connecting local talent with global opportunities, with Lagos joining other partner cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo, Italy, and Japan.
Positioning Lagos as a Global Film Hub
Lagos's inclusion as a 'Goes to Cannes' partner city represents a cultural milestone that positions Nigeria's commercial capital as a legitimate film city in the truest industry sense. This recognition is expected to attract:
- Increased co-production interest from international partners
- Foreign investment in Nigerian film projects
- Technical partnerships with global industry players
- Enhanced visibility with documented ripple effects throughout the industry
As AFRIFF prepares to announce its submission and selection process details, the African film community awaits this unprecedented opportunity to showcase continental creativity on one of the world's most prestigious platforms.
