By Peter Omopo
The African Film Press (AFP) has announced the launch of the AFP Critics Prize, a new award designed to spotlight African critical voices within film festival culture.
Inspired by the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize, the award will debut at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16), scheduled to take place in Lagos in December 2025.
According to a statement issued by AFP on Wednesday, the initiative seeks to elevate public discourse around African cinema while strengthening the visibility of critics across the continent and the diaspora.
For its inaugural edition, the winning film will be selected by AFP’s three founding editors — Tambay Obenson of Akoroko, Jennifer Ochieng of Sinema Focus, and Ikeade Oriade of What Kept Me Up. Future editions will expand the jury to include a wider pool of critics.
The award, which will come with a cash prize, trophy, and certificate, will be presented annually at four African film festivals, beginning with Surreal16.
AFP co-founder Obenson said the move was a deliberate step to center African critics in festival culture.
“We see the AFP Critics Prize as an important step in ensuring African critical voices play a central role in festival culture, while also giving filmmakers visibility and recognition. Surreal16 was the natural place to begin — their focus on bold, independent storytelling made them the right partner,” he said.
Similarly, Surreal16 co-founder and award-winning filmmaker CJ “Fiery” Obasi expressed excitement over the collaboration.
“From inception, our festival has been about creating space for risk-taking and originality. Partnering with AFP ensures African critics are part of shaping that conversation,” Obasi said.
Founded in 2024 with support from GIZ and private backers, AFP brings together three leading platforms: Akoroko (pan-African and global), Sinema Focus (Kenya and East Africa), and What Kept Me Up (Nigeria and Anglophone West Africa). The group is set to launch its Southern Africa chapter in September.
The Surreal16 Film Festival, established by Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, has built a reputation for its bold curatorial identity and strong institutional partnerships, including support from the French and Dutch embassies, the Goethe-Institut, and Sterling Bank.
Obasi’s 2023 film Mami Wata won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography at Sundance and was Nigeria’s official submission to the 2024 Oscars.
