The S16 Film Festival, a celebration of African art and cinema, will return for its fourth edition from December 5 to December 8, 2024, according to an official announcement from the organizers on August 14, 2024.
The festival aims to spotlight exceptional filmmakers and independent films across the African continent, providing a platform for both emerging and established voices in African cinema. Held annually, the S16 Film Festival is known for its vibrant atmosphere that brings together film lovers, featuring a variety of activities that include film screenings, panel discussions, and other festivities designed to immerse attendees in the world of African cinema.
This four-day festival has grown into a significant event in the African film industry, offering a diverse lineup of short films, feature films, and panel sessions where renowned filmmakers and industry professionals share their insights.
The event is slated to take place at Alliance Française in Lagos, a venue that has become synonymous with the festival’s mission to foster creativity and community within African cinema.
Attendees can expect an eclectic blend of new wave cinema, thematic exhibitions, thought-provoking conversations, and a themed party that celebrates the convergence of art and entertainment.
The S16 Film Festival draws inspiration from the Dogme 95 movement, which emphasizes simplicity in filmmaking and the rejection of elaborate special effects. As a subsidiary of the Surreal 16 Collective, the festival aligns with the collective’s vision to disrupt and reshape the Nigerian cinema landscape by challenging traditional norms and encouraging bold, innovative storytelling.
The festival’s founders, CJ Obasi, Abba T. Makama, and Michael Omonua, are themselves trailblazers in the Nigerian film industry, each contributing unique perspectives and artistic visions to the collective’s mission.
Since its inception in 2021, the S16 Film Festival has steadily grown in influence and scope. The first edition showcased 10 short films and one feature film, including the acclaimed “Juju Stories,” directed by the three founders.
Subsequent editions expanded the lineup to include more films from across Africa, with the second edition screening 14 films from countries like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, and Rwanda. The third edition, which carried the theme “To God be the Glory,” further cemented the festival’s reputation as a platform for showcasing bold and unique African films, including notable works such as the Senegalese romantic drama “Banel and Adama” by director Ramata-Toulaye Sy.
The festival’s fourth edition promises to continue this tradition of excellence, offering an exciting and inspiring experience for both filmmakers and audiences.
