Chioma Ude, founder and head of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) and the Africa Film and Content Market (AFCM), has been honoured at the Dhofar International Film Festival in Oman.
The award was presented by the Oman Film Society in recognition of Ude’s contribution to the film industry.
Ude also served on the festival jury, providing an opportunity to promote professional exchange and strengthen links between Nigeria, Oman and the wider African film industry.
Her participation included discussions on film festivals and markets as platforms for film exhibition, professional development, business, investment, co-production and cultural exchange.
The engagement is part of growing interaction among filmmakers, film institutions and industry stakeholders from Africa and the Middle East.
Ude’s relationship with the Oman Film Society began in 2025 following her meeting with Ahmed Othman, an Omani film professional and member of the society.
Following the meeting, Ude invited Othman to Nigeria, where he served as a jury member at AFRIFF and AFCM in November 2025.
The engagement subsequently led to Ude’s invitation to Oman to explore further areas of collaboration between the film industries.
Speaking at the festival, Ude said, “I do not come here by chance. I actually came here as a challenge.”
Reflecting on her experience as a jury member, she said the panel watched a range of films and recognised the effort invested by filmmakers in producing them.
“We worked very hard. We watched great films. Some of the films made us laugh so much… Some of them made us cry… But all in all, we realised the filmmakers worked even harder than we did,” she said.
During her visit, Ude also met Anwar bin Khamis Al Ruzaiqi, Chairman of the Oman Film Society, and Egyptian actress, singer and producer Bushra Ahmed Razza, professionally known as Bushra.
The meetings focused on opportunities for collaboration in film festivals, content markets, production, investment and professional development.
The Dhofar International Film Festival brought together filmmakers and industry professionals from different countries, providing a platform for film exhibition and professional interaction.
For Nigeria and the wider African film industry, such engagements provide opportunities to expand international partnerships and create platforms for cultural exchange, co-production and investment.
Ude’s recognition comes amid continued efforts by AFRIFF and AFCM to connect African filmmakers and content producers with international industry stakeholders.
The Nation
