Ibadan Film Festival secures royal support as organisers prepare for landmark fifth edition, highlighting cultural heritage and global collaboration

Ibadan International Film Festival Convener Usman Olarotimi “Blackky” Ogunlade led a delegation to meet the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, to secure royal backing for the festival’s landmark fifth edition.

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The visit, part of the festival’s preparations for the September 2026 event, aimed to strengthen ties with Ibadan’s traditional institutions and reaffirm IIFF’s commitment to cultural heritage, storytelling, and international creative exchange.

During the engagement, Ogunlade highlighted the festival’s evolution, emphasising IIFF’s growing role in positioning Ibadan as an emerging hub for cinema, arts, and cultural dialogue.

He described the fifth edition as a milestone that will prioritise African narratives, youth development, cultural diplomacy, and global collaboration.

Oba Ladoja commended the organisers for their consistency and vision, describing the Ibadan International Film Festival as a laudable initiative contributing meaningfully to cultural development.

The monarch assured the team of the palace’s support and encouraged ongoing engagement whenever guidance or backing is required.

He also shared his personal passion for cinema, recalling his longstanding interest and involvement in Nigerian filmmaking.

The festival announced the appointment of Aloba Iyore as its new Festival Director, succeeding Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly known as Mister Rain, who held the position from 2022 to 2025.

Iyore, a filmmaker and production manager, is a founding member of IIFF and previously led branding for four years, shaping the festival’s identity, public image, and audience engagement.

Ogunlade described Iyore as a committed and visionary creative leader with a deep understanding of IIFF’s mission to promote storytelling, creativity, and cultural exchange.

Head of Marketing and Communications Femi Davies Alagbala said the appointment represents both continuity and progress, signalling renewed strategic focus ahead of the 2026 edition.

Film submissions for IIFF 2026 are now open to filmmakers from Nigeria, Africa, and around the world, with a deadline of 30 April 2026.

Full submission guidelines are available on the festival’s official website.

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With royal endorsement, renewed leadership, and growing international interest, the Ibadan International Film Festival continues to strengthen its position as a leading platform for African and global cinema while remaining firmly rooted in the cultural heritage of Ibadan.