Actors guild seeks govt backing to unveil Africa’s first children’s film festival

The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) is spearheading a groundbreaking initiative, the maiden African Children’s Film Festival, scheduled for 2026. The guild is actively seeking support from governments, corporations, development partners, and non-governmental organizations to bring this vision to life. AGN National President Abubakar Yakubu described the festival as a crucial investment in cultivating the next generation of African filmmakers and storytellers.

Unveiled in Abuja, the festival aims to provide a dedicated platform for children across Africa to discover and hone their creative talents. Beyond skill development, it seeks to champion authentic African culture, values, and identity. Yakubu emphasized the guild's commitment to creating a secure and supportive environment where children can freely express themselves through the medium of film.

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We need lovers of children. We are calling on ministries, agencies, non-governmental organisations and industry players to key into this vision and make a safe haven for our children to grow.

"We need lovers of children. We are calling on ministries, agencies, non-governmental organisations and industry players to key into this vision and make a safe haven for our children to grow," Yakubu stated. He highlighted the importance of proper mentorship for African children, encouraging them to tell stories rooted in their own cultures rather than merely imitating content found on social media. The festival will ensure children are guided by professional standards to produce original narratives.

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The immediate goal is not to make money. It is to help children express their creativity in positive ways that educate and inspire people.

According to Yakubu, the festival's primary objective is nurturing creativity, not commercial profit. He views film as a potent tool for education, entertainment, and social development. "The immediate goal is not to make money. It is to help children express their creativity in positive ways that educate and inspire people," he said, adding that the festival will explore the boundless creativity of children and help shape the future of Nigeria's film industry.

Beth Ogbuefi, Director of the African Children’s Film Festival, echoed this sentiment, calling the initiative a movement centered on children's storytelling and cultural expression throughout Africa. The festival, themed “Our Stories, Our Lens, Our Voices,” is open to children of African heritage aged five to 18, irrespective of their location. Ogbuefi stressed that African children should be recognized not just as consumers of media but as creators whose unique stories deserve international acclaim.

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Our theme this year captures the very essence of what ACFF stands for. It is a declaration that African children are not just passive audiences but active cr