The 2026 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has selected films by Nigerian filmmakers as well as international productions featuring Nigerian actors for its 15th edition, holding from November 1 to 7, 2026, in Lagos. The selection includes feature films, short films and documentaries covering family, cultural traditions, friendship and personal struggles.

Among the titles are Lady, which will open this year’s festival, and It’s the Blackness, selected as the closing film. Other films include Abeni, The Spectacular Death of Prisca, NollyBabes, Mi Tazi and Ramat. Here is a look at what each film is about.

The Spectacular Death of Prisca

Directed by Kaelo Iyizoba, this 23-minute short film is a comedy, drama and fantasy about a mother thrown into a strange quest to save her daughter on her wedding day. The film stars Rita Dominic, Genoveva Umeh, Shamz Garuba, Kenzy Udosen and Fae Olumide. It draws inspiration from the dramatic storytelling style of Nollywood films from the 2000s.

NollyBabes

Directed and written by Anu Bamidele, NollyBabes is a short crime film set in the early 2000s Nollywood golden era. It revolves around an aspiring actress who, after another unsuccessful audition, joins her two friends in a plan to rob a questionable film director and use the money to fund their own movie. The cast includes Uzoamaka Power, Tomi Ojo, Osereme Inegbenebor, Taye Arimoro, Linda Ejiofor and Ejiro Onojaife. Nora Awolowo is the cinematographer, while Wingonia Ikpi is credited as producer.

Mi Tazi

Directed by Blessing Bulus, Mi Tazi is a 17-minute documentary short about family, memory and cultural heritage. It centres on a young artist who returns to her ancestral home in Nok, Kaduna State, haunted by the fear of forgetting her late father. During her visit, she learns how clay served as a form of photography in the ancient Nok civilisation, preserving memories through sculpted images. Guided by her grandfather and family, she uses clay and sculpture to reconnect with her father and explore her Nok heritage. The film also examines how art can help people hold on to memories of loved ones who have died.

It’s the Blackness

Directed by Hakeem Kae-Kazim and written and produced by Dapo Oshiyemi, It’s the Blackness is a British feature film featuring Nigerian actors. The comedy, drama and romance is the closing film of AFRIFF 2026, with its screening scheduled for November 6. It centres on two Black graduates dealing with unemployment, relationship problems and family pressures despite their academic qualifications. Nigerian actors Dolapo Oni and Kalu Ikeagwu are among the cast, alongside Daniel Davids, Matthew Morrison and Kierath Jandoo.

Lady

Photo: Afriff

Directed by Olive Nwosu, Lady is the opening film of AFRIFF 2026. It is a drama that centres on a female cab driver in Lagos who is saving money to build a better life for herself. Her plans change when a childhood friend returns and introduces her to a group of women who take her on night drives across the city. The film stars Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah, Amanda Oruh, Tinuade Jemiseye, Precious Agu Eke, Seun Kuti and Bucci Franklin.

Abeni

Photo: Afriff

Directed by Esse Akwawa and Samuel Olasehinde, Abeni is a feature film set in the village of Ijero, where tradition governs daily life. It tells the story of a young woman who discovers an interest in blacksmithing, a craft reserved for men and considered forbidden for women in her community. As she secretly learns the trade, her growing talent attracts the attention of powerful elders who oppose her actions. Her mother tries to protect her from the consequences of going against tradition, but Abeni’s determination leads to a growing conflict between her personal ambitions and the beliefs of her community. The film stars Aishat Lawal, Tope Tedela, Ibrahim Chatta, Korede Soyinka, Temitope Luqman, Folake Babatunde and Adeniyi Johnson.

Ramat

Photo: Afriff

Directed by Steve Babaeko, Ramat is an eight-minute Nigerian short film set in an army barracks on February 13, 1976, the day General Murtala Ramat Mohammed was assassinated. It focuses on a five-year-old boy whose day changes when news of the assassination spreads through the barracks. He sees his father, a soldier, cry for the first time and discovers a side of him he has never known. The film tells the story of how a national tragedy affects a family through a child’s eyes. It stars Samuel Ademola, Durotimi Okutagidi, Lawrence Oghenekevwe and Gbubemi Ejeye.

Beyond the screenings, AFRIFF also provides a platform for Nigerian filmmakers and actors to introduce their work to new audiences and reach viewers beyond the local film industry.

Cynthia Erivo swapped her green Elphaba look for a blonde wig and pink tracksuit as she played Glinda in a Nigerian-inspired parody of Wicked on Saturday Night Live UK on October 24, 2026. Titled Nigerian Wicked, the sketch turned the popular musical into a Nollywood-style production, complete with dramatic acting, comic dialogue and a fictional version of Oz called LagOz.

Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the Wicked films opposite Ariana Grande as Glinda, took on Grande’s role for the sketch. She appeared alongside SNL UK cast member Ayoade Bamgboye, who played Elphaba in green makeup. Their performances drew on the style of Nigerian films from the early 2000s.

Photo: Instagram/@wetalksound

Presented as a trailer from a fictional film company called Holy Ghost Productions, the sketch opens at Shiz University before Glinda and Elphaba travel to LagOz to meet the Wizard. Hoping he can grant their wishes, the witches soon discover that their journey will not go as planned.

Glinda asks for a Birkin handbag, while Elphaba wants a skinny BBL that defies gravity, a joke built around the musical’s song Defying Gravity. Their meeting with the Wizard, played by Hammed Animashaun, takes another turn when they realise he is not as wealthy as they had imagined.

Photo: Instagram/@wetalksound

The comedy continues with a jab at designer fashion and the witches’ friendship. In one scene, Glinda slaps Elphaba and calls her “very classless”. Another moment sees the pair lean in for a kiss before an exaggerated explosion effect cuts the scene short.

Bamgboye wrote the sketch and played Elphaba, while Will Farrell directed it.

Erivo also shared behind-the-scenes clips from the production on social media, giving fans a glimpse of the making of the comedy sketch.

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Cardi B made her debut on NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series on October 19, 2026. She performed eight songs with a live band at the Washington, D.C office.

Adam Blackstone was the music director and he handled bass and keyboards. Other musicians who backed her included DJ Ray G, guitarist Clayton Sears, Eugene Roberts, drummer Cedric Thompson, saxophonist Kenneth Whalum and trumpeter Melvin Jones. Background vocalists Tiffany Stevens and Ebony Franklin joined the performance.

Cardi opened the set with “Hello,” a track from her 2025 album Am I the Drama? She then followed it with a version of “ErrTime” before moving into “Man of Your Word” and “Be Careful.”

Photo: NPR

One moment that attracted attention came during “ErrTime,” when Cardi changed a lyric that originally referenced fellow rapper Latto. Cardi B and Latto’s relationship became strained in September 2025 after leaked audio captured Cardi making disparaging remarks about Latto during a phone conversation involving Ice Spice’s manager. Cardi later apologised publicly, but Latto subsequently addressed the fallout in her song “Gimme Dat.” Cardi B replaced Latto’s name with Kelly Rowland.

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Cardi then sang “Up” and “AH HA” before performing “Bodak Yellow.” She closed with “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin. The original 2018 recording features Bad Bunny and J Balvin, but neither artist appeared at the Tiny Desk session.

Cardi B also interacted warmly with the audience, calling for a change in mood at one point before dancing with and hugging audience members.

Photo: NPR

Cardi B wore a vintage Thierry Mugler jacket featuring celestial embellishments, paired with black latex trousers, square-toe boots and a sleek updo. The jacket closely resembled a star-studded look Naomi Campbell modelled for Thierry Mugler’s Fall 1990 collection, drawing a connection to the designer’s fashion. Her outfit was styled by longtime collaborator Kollin Carter.

She performed several hits from her debut album, Invasion of Privacy (2018), including “Bodak Yellow,” “I Like It” and “Be Careful.” She also performed songs from Am I the Drama? (2025), her second studio album.

Cardi B’s Tiny Desk performance shows her mastery of stage presence with live instrumentation. It also reflects her playful sense of humour.