By Charles Ajunwa
The Germany-Nigeria Film Week will return for its second edition from October 4 to 9, 2027, with plans to expand its programme, deepen industry participation and strengthen international partnerships following the inaugural edition held across four German cities in 2026.
The six-day festival is expected to build on the momentum of its maiden edition, which brought together filmmakers, government representatives, cultural institutions and creative industry stakeholders from Nigeria and Germany to promote cinematic collaboration and strengthen cultural relations between the two countries.
Established as a platform for Nigerian and German filmmakers to connect, exchange ideas, develop partnerships and explore business opportunities, the festival also seeks to promote Nigerian cinema to wider European audiences and create opportunities for international distribution and film co-production.
The inaugural edition, which lasted 10 days, featured film screenings, cultural exchanges, industry engagements and awards across Berlin, Hannover, Bremen and Hamburg. It showcased Nigerian productions while creating opportunities for dialogue between filmmakers and representatives of both countries’ creative industries.
The festival opened at the Arsenal Film Institut in Berlin with a screening of The Chronicles of Afrobeats, directed by Nigerian filmmaker and music executive Oluseun John Abisagboola, popularly known as Bankuli.
The opening programme also featured a fireside chat between the Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation, Ali Nuhu, and the Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr. Shaibu Husseini. Their discussion examined the growth of the Nigerian film industry, international partnerships and opportunities for collaboration between Nigerian and German filmmakers.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Nigeria’s Ambassador to Germany, Senator Ita Enang, and the Director of Arsenal Film Institut, Stefanie Schulte Strathaus, alongside filmmakers, producers and other creative industry stakeholders from both countries.
A major highlight of the Berlin opening was the presentation of a Lifetime Achievement Award to renowned German filmmaker Volker Schlöndorff in recognition of his contributions to international cinema. Schlöndorff, whose career spans several decades, has also filmed documentaries across Africa, including Nigeria.
A Special Recognition Award was also presented to the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for her contributions to the development and promotion of Nigeria’s creative industry. The award was received on her behalf by Husseini.
The festival subsequently moved to Hannover, where SONNENKINDFILM e.V., led by Michael Davies, co-founder of the Germany-Nigeria Film Week, hosted a press conference attended by festival delegates, filmmakers and industry representatives. A Special Recognition Award was presented to Chief Gani Adams, the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, in recognition of his contributions to the promotion and preservation of African culture and heritage.
The Hannover programme featured screenings of Amanyanabo: The Eagle King, produced by veteran Nollywood actress and filmmaker Ibinabo Fiberesima and directed by Fred Amata and Fiberesima, as well as Evi, directed by Uyoyou Adia.
Adia received an award in recognition of her creativity and artistic achievement in directing Evi, while Fiberesima was also honoured for her contributions to the Nigerian film industry.
Festival activities extended to Bremen and Hamburg, where Love and New Notes, directed by Kayode Kasum, was screened in both cities. On Different Grounds, directed by Mildred Okwo, was also screened in Bremen.
The Germany-Nigeria Film Week was founded by Mykel Parish Ajaere of the Pan-African Film Development and Advancement Foundation (PAFDAF), Nigeria, and Michael Davies of SONNENKINDFILM e.V., Germany, to promote film collaboration, cultural exchange, international distribution and co-production opportunities between the two countries.
The inaugural edition received institutional and logistical support from the Office of the Mayor of the City of Hannover, Arsenal Film Institut Berlin, KoKi Cinema Hannover, City 46 Cinema Bremen and Metropolis Kino Hamburg.
The Nigerian Film Corporation and the NFVCB also supported the initiative, reinforcing its objective of building sustainable partnerships between the Nigerian and German film industries.
With the second edition scheduled for October 2027, the organisers are expected to build on the connections established during the inaugural festival and expand opportunities for filmmakers and other industry stakeholders to engage across borders.