The fourth edition of the Africa International Human Rights Film Festival (AIHRFF) is set to hold from December 8–10, 2025, in Lagos, bringing together a diverse group of filmmakers, human rights activists, journalists, regulators, and policymakers from across the continent.
The festival, themed “Using Films to Bridge Divides,” aims to expose patterns of human rights abuses worldwide while galvanizing collective efforts to address these challenges. Activities will include keynote addresses, film screenings, panel discussions, and master classes. The closing session on December 10 at the British Council, Ikoyi, will coincide with the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights commemoration.
Speaking on the significance of the festival, Founder and Festival Director Comrade Kehinde Adegboyega said, “This is the biggest convergence of human rights advocates and filmmakers in Africa. Films remain one of the most powerful tools to expose injustices from police brutality and corruption to gender-based violence and repression of free expression.”
Adegboyega highlighted that AIHRFF not only showcases films but also provides practical training for emerging filmmakers and human rights practitioners. “We aim to expand the ecosystem of civil rights advocacy by equipping the next generation with the skills to document violations accurately and compellingly,” he added.
The festival will host interactive sessions where participants engage with real-world cases of human rights violations, discussing strategies to leverage storytelling for advocacy, accountability, and policy influence. Panelists will include frontline activists, filmmakers, and media professionals who have firsthand experience documenting abuses in challenging environments.
By blending film with human rights advocacy, AIHRFF seeks to bridge gaps between communities, governments, and civil society while promoting dialogue on accountability and justice. The event underscores the growing role of visual media in highlighting issues often overlooked or misrepresented.
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