Zuma Film Festival To Showcase 3,156 Films From 10 Countries In Abuja
By OBI DAVIES
THE 15th edition of the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) is set to light up Abuja from 1–5 December 2025, with an impressive lineup of 3,156 films from 10 countries, highlighting the growing influence of African cinema on the global stage.
Organised by the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC) under the leadership of its Managing Director and Chief Executive, Ali Nuhu, this year’s edition is themed “Storytelling for Global Influence: Film as a Soft Power and Economic Force.”
According to the organisers, the festival aims to spotlight how African stories are reshaping perceptions, driving cultural diplomacy, and contributing to economic growth through the creative industry.
Expanding Partnerships and Global Reach
The 2025 edition will also feature strategic collaborations, including a landmark partnership between the Zuma Festival and the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN), which will jointly host the first-ever DGN Television and Investment Summit.
“This year’s festival is not business as usual,” said Emmanuel Ayaba, filmmaker and Public Relations Officer of DGN. “We finally have the right people in the right places, and the festival is seeing real progress under Ali Nuhu’s leadership. It’s not perfect yet, but it’s much better than before.”
Supporting the Industry with Innovation
In addition to screenings and summits, this year’s event will also see the unveiling of new insurance products for the entertainment industry by Insurtainment, an entertainment-focused insurance company.
Speaking about the initiative, Temitayo Akpan, Insurtainment’s representative, said: “Our insurance packages cover everything from cast and crew risks to personal accidents and health. We’re introducing products that will make film production safer and more sustainable.”
A Platform for Young Creatives
In his address to the media, NFC boss Ali Nuhu said the festival’s core mission is to create a vibrant platform for networking, learning, and mentorship across the film ecosystem.
“The goal is to connect stakeholders — filmmakers, investors, and policymakers — and ensure they can build valuable partnerships both locally and globally,” Nuhu said.
He added that the NFC was also determined to provide a “comfortable and inclusive platform” for young and emerging filmmakers to engage with industry veterans and gain visibility for their work.
“Last year’s edition was the best so far, but this year will be bigger and better,” he said confidently. “The festival is about giving our stories the global reach they deserve.”
Celebrating Global Storytelling
Founded in 1993, the Zuma International Film Festival has evolved into one of Africa’s most respected film events, attracting entries across multiple genres including feature films, documentaries, short films, student projects, animation, music videos, skits, and indigenous-language films.
This year’s submissions include works from the United States, India, China, France, Germany, Spain, Egypt, South Africa, Tunisia, and Iran, affirming the festival’s reputation as a hub for global film exchange and cultural collaboration.
The five-day festival will include screenings, masterclasses, panel discussions, industry exhibitions, award ceremonies, and networking sessions, all aimed at positioning film as a tool for economic and cultural transformation.
As anticipation builds, Abuja is expected to host filmmakers, producers, investors, and enthusiasts from around the world — all united by one goal: celebrating the power of storytelling to inspire, influence, and transform societies.
