Listen to story here
The inaugural Germany-Nigeria Film Week has concluded with awards for distinguished filmmakers and cultural personalities, alongside screenings and industry engagements aimed at strengthening cinematic collaboration between both countries.
Held from October 1 to 10, 2026, the festival featured screenings, cultural exchanges and professional engagements across Berlin, Hannover, Bremen and Hamburg, bringing together filmmakers, government representatives and creative industry stakeholders from Nigeria and Germany.
The festival opened on October 1 at Arsenal Film Institut in Berlin with The Chronicles of Afrobeats, directed by Nigerian filmmaker and music executive Oluseun John Abisagboola, popularly known as Bankuli.
The opening programme featured a fireside chat between Ali Nuhu, Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), and Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB). Discussions centred on the growth of Nollywood, international partnerships and opportunities for collaboration between Nigerian and German filmmakers.
Among the dignitaries were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, and Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, Director of Arsenal Film Institut.
A major highlight was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff for his contributions to international cinema, including documentary filmmaking across Africa.
The festival also honoured Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, with a Special Recognition Award for her contributions to Nigeria’s creative industry. Husseini received the award on her behalf.
In Hannover, a press conference hosted by SONNENKINDFILM e.V., led by Michael Davies, co-founder of the festival, provided another platform for industry engagement. Chief Gani Adams, Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, received a Special Recognition Award for his contributions to promoting and preserving African culture and heritage.
The Hannover programme featured Amanyanabo: The Eagle King, produced by veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ibinabo Fiberesima and directed by Fred Amata and Fiberesima. Evi, directed by Uyoyou Adia, was also screened, with Adia recognised for her creative and artistic achievement in filmmaking. Fiberesima received an award for her contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
In Bremen and Hamburg, audiences watched Love and New Notes, directed by Kayode Kasum, while On Different Grounds, directed by Mildred Okwo, was screened in Bremen.
The festival was founded by Mykel Parish Ajaere of Nigeria’s Pan-African Film Development & Advancement Foundation (PAFDAF) and Davies of Germany’s SONNENKINDFILM e.V. to promote co-productions, international distribution, cultural exchange and commercial partnerships between the two film industries.
Institutional support came from the Office of the Mayor of Hannover, Arsenal Film Institut Berlin, KoKi Cinema Hannover, City 46 Cinema Bremen and Metropolis Kino Hamburg, alongside the NFC and NFVCB.
The organisers have scheduled the second edition for October 4–9, 2027, with plans to expand programming, industry participation and international partnerships.
