Connect with us

Entertainment

African Smartphone Film Festival Showcases Global Innovation

Published

on

Smartphone

The African Smartphone Film Festival spotlights mobile and AI filmmaking, celebrating innovation and global talent in digital cinema

The ninth edition of the African Smartphone International Film Festival (ASIFF) showcased how smartphones, AI, and digital-first production models are reshaping global cinema.

Also read: South Korea Bans Phones in Classrooms to Boost Focus

The festival, held from 18 to 21 December 2025, brought together filmmakers from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas under the theme “The Future of Film Is Already in Your Hands.”

Founded in 2017 by filmmaker Michael Osheku, ASIFF was created to demonstrate that compelling films could be made without expensive cameras or large crews.

Advertisement

The festival now promotes “African SmartFilm,” a movement combining mobile filmmaking, AI-assisted production, experimental techniques, and culturally rooted narratives designed for contemporary screens.

The 2025 programme reflected evolving audience habits and platforms, featuring mobile cinema, vertical and social-first storytelling, AI-powered creation, animation, and digital distribution.

Screenings ranged from short films and documentaries to feature-length narratives and AI-generated works.

Award winners included Nigeria’s Kelechi Eze, whose Road to Hell took Best African Feature Film, and India’s Adhithya Baby, awarded Best International Feature Film for Cupid Saw the Star.

Cameroon’s Echoes of You won Best African Short Film, while the UK’s Mask received Best International Short Film.

Advertisement

Canada’s Abandoned in the 6ix was named Best Narrative Short Film.

Innovation was central to the festival.

Australia’s FaceTime won Best Experimental Short Film, while Taiwan’s Samurai Spirits received Best AI Film.

Documentary awards went to Kenya’s When the Water Rises(Best Documentary Short) and Brazil’s Water Vapour (Best Documentary Feature).

Individual and technical achievements were also recognised.

Advertisement

Nigeria’s Fiyinfolu Okedare won Best Actor for Sabbath, while Priscila Buiar took Best Actress for Prayer Petrópolis (Brazil).

Best Cinematography was awarded to José (Italy).

The festival also highlighted leadership and social relevance.

The Happiness Experiment* (USA) won Best Social Impact Film, with Meghan Reese named Best Producer.

Kenya’s Ramadhan Nungu received Best Director for Hatua.

Advertisement

Emerging talent was celebrated, with Tosin Olomu (Nigeria) winning Best First-Time Filmmaker, and Wendy Munangwe (Kenya) and Offie Darlington (Nigeria) recognised as Next Rated Female and Male Filmmakers.

Honourable Mentions went to projects from Korea, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, the UK, and South Africa.

Also read: Yul Edochie Cashless Policy Plea Sparks Emotional Nationwide Reactions

Beyond awards, ASIFF provides mentorship and resources for filmmakers, signalling that smartphone and digital filmmaking is no longer peripheral but an increasingly influential force in global cinema.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

My Wife Knew About Actresses I Dated, Says Yinka Quadri

Published

on

Veteran Nollywood actor Yinka Quadri has revealed that his wife was aware of his romantic relationships with some actresses in the industry and treated them cordially.

The actor made the disclosure in an interview on the Africanalist Podcast, where he spoke about his personal life and marriage.

Quadri said some of the actresses he dated eventually became friends with his wife, Sadiat Adenike Quadri. According to him, the women would sometimes approach her and share gossip about his relationships with other female colleagues, even though they themselves were involved with him.

“It got to a stage, I won’t mention the ladies’ names in the industry. They would become friends with my wife and start giving gossip to my wife that I am dating so so so in the industry,” he said.

Advertisement

He added that jealousy sometimes arose among the women. Some of those he was dating reportedly went to his home out of jealousy, only to find that his wife already knew about the relationships.

“And there were some of them that we were dating who went home out of jealousy. Meanwhile, my wife would say she was aware already and she doesn’t fight them because of that,” Quadri said.

The actor further disclosed that some actresses occasionally spent the night at his house when movie productions ended late. He said his wife knew about the relationships and still provided food and care for them.

“Sometimes when production ends late, they would sleep in my house. And my wife is aware I am dating them, she would still feed them and everything,” he stated.

Quadri has been married to Sadiat since 1989. The couple have children and grandchildren.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Prioritise Talent Over Social Media, Fisayo Abebi Tells Young Actors

Published

on

Actress and filmmaker Fisayomi Amodemaja, popularly known as Fisayo Abebi, has urged young actors to build strong personal brands and rely on their talent rather than fame or social media visibility for a sustainable career in Nollywood.

Speaking in an interview with Sunday Scoop, Abebi, who began acting as a child before moving into filmmaking and production, said having a distinct identity was essential for anyone seeking longevity in the industry.

“As an actor, you should have a brand. You should have something that makes you different. Your talent should be able to speak for you wherever your name cannot speak for you,” she said.

She also stressed the need for dedication and readiness to handle the demands of the profession.

Advertisement

“Any young actor coming into the industry has to know that it is time-consuming, and you have to be fully ready to be diligent and ready for the stress,” Abebi added.

The actress reflected on her own experiences, noting that growing up in the spotlight came with pressure, particularly from being recognised for a character she played as a child.

She credited her family and friends with helping her navigate the attention and remain grounded. Her mother, she said, played a key role by helping her understand that she was separate from the character audiences associated her with.

Abebi also spoke about the challenges of combining her acting career with university education, describing it as stressful at times.

“Sometimes I might have to refund or sometimes I might have to go to the set after finishing my exam. So, that can be very stressful,” she said.

Advertisement

She noted that her journey in the industry had taught her to take risks and build confidence in herself.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Regina Daniels Spent Months In Wheelchair Due To Health Issues

Published

on

Nollywood actress Regina Daniels has revealed that she spent several months struggling with severe pain and mobility challenges that left her dependent on a wheelchair.

The actress shared the details in a video posted on her Instagram page on Saturday as she marked her 25th birthday, which she described as her “Silver Jubilee.”

Appearing in a wheelchair, Daniels explained that her prolonged absence from social media was due to the health difficulties.

“I know many of you may be surprised seeing me in a wheelchair. Well, welcome to another chapter of my life,” she said.

Advertisement

She stated that the problem began as a minor issue but gradually became more serious, eventually limiting her freedom to move around as she pleased.

“For several months now, I lost my freedom to move around as I please. It started as something minor, very minor, but eventually led to this,” Daniels said.

According to her, the condition took a major turn after the last public gathering she hosted, a Children’s Day carnival. She said she underwent repeated medical tests during the period and joked that she had started calling herself a “lab rat.”

“The pain became excruciating. Sometimes I find myself walking well, and sometimes I just can’t move. I cried,” she added.

Despite the challenges, the actress said there had been significant developments in her recovery, which encouraged her to share the update publicly.

Advertisement

“Well, me sitting here today, in front of this camera, sharing this with y’all, it’s because there’s been some really significant developments in my recovery. And I say, thank you, Lord,” she said.

Daniels did not disclose a specific diagnosis or the nature of the treatment she is receiving. She expressed gratitude to God and prayed for calm as she entered a new phase of her life.

Continue Reading

Trending