The AFP Critics Prize will debut at Surreal16 Film Festival Lagos in 2025, spotlighting African film critics and boosting discourse around African cinema

AFP Critics Prize is set to make its debut at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) in Lagos this December, signaling a new chapter in African cinema with an emphasis on critical voices and cultural discourse.

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Launched by African Film Press (AFP)—an alliance of independent film platforms across the continent—the prize is modeled after the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize and is designed to elevate the visibility and influence of African film critics.

“We see the AFP Critics Prize as an important step in centering African critical voices in festival culture,” said Tambay Obenson, co-founder of AFP and editor of Akoroko.

“Surreal16 was the natural place to begin… their focus on bold, independent storytelling made it the right partner.”

AFP was founded in 2024 with support from GIZ and private backers, uniting platforms including:

Akoroko (Pan-African/global focus)
Sinema Focus (Kenya & East Africa)
What Kept Me Up (Nigeria & Anglophone West Africa)

Together, they aim to amplify the role of African film criticism within the growing landscape of global cinema.

For its first edition, the winning film will be selected by AFP’s founding editors: Tambay Obenson, Jennifer Ochieng, and Ikeade Oriade.

Future editions will include a broader pool of critics from across the continent and the diaspora.

The award includes a cash prize, a trophy, and a certificate.

CJ “Fiery” Obasi, filmmaker and Surreal16 co-founder, described the award as aligned with the festival’s mission.

“From the beginning, our festival has been about risk-taking and originality. Partnering with AFP ensures African critics are part of shaping that conversation,” Obasi noted.

Surreal16, founded by Obasi, Abba Makama, and Michael Omonua, has become a standout on the African film festival circuit, known for its experimental approach and international partnerships with entities like the Goethe-Institut, French Embassy, and Sterling Bank.

AFP intends to present the Critics Prize at four African film festivals annually, beginning with Surreal16.

Its Southern Africa chapter is expected to launch in September 2025, further expanding its continental reach.

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By championing critical voices, the AFP Critics Prize aims to build a stronger, more inclusive African cinema ecosystem—one where filmmakers and critics collaborate to shape both art and conversation.