How African SmartFilm International Film Festival Is Redefining Who Gets to Make Movies

In an era where a smartphone can reach more people than a cinema hall, the African SmartFilm International Film Festival (ASIFF) 2025 is proving that the future of filmmaking belongs to creators, not gatekeepers. As the first smartphone film festival in Africa, ASIFF has pioneered a movement that places powerful storytelling tools directly in the hands of filmmakers across the continent and beyond.

Held from December 18–21, 2025 under the theme “The Future of Film Is Already in Your Hands,” the festival showcased a bold, global vision of cinema shaped by innovation, accessibility, and new ways of telling stories.

Founded in 2017 by Michael Osheku, ASIFF began as a platform dedicated to smartphone filmmakers at a time when mobile cinema was still largely overlooked. Eight years later, it has evolved into a global movement celebrating what it now defines as African SmartFilm, a creative ecosystem that embraces mobile production, vertical and innovative storytelling, AI-assisted creation, experimental cinema, animation, and digital distribution.

At ASIFF 2025, it became clear that innovation in cinema is no longer just about cameras and lenses, but about formats, platforms, and audiences. Films were not only made for traditional screens, but for phones, streaming services, and social platforms, meeting viewers where they already are.

“This is about freedom,” said Festival Founder and Executive Director Michael Osheku.
 “Freedom to create without waiting for approval, budgets, or institutions. African SmartFilm is about using the tools of today, phones, AI, social platforms, digital distribution, to tell stories that are culturally grounded but globally relevant. ASIFF exists to give those voices a stage and a future.”

The 2025 selection reflected this mission. The programme brought together narratives, documentaries, animation, experimental works, and AI-driven films from across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas. The diversity of styles and formats highlighted how storytelling is expanding beyond traditional definitions of cinema.

The festival’s top honours illustrated both artistic excellence and the global reach of digital and mobile filmmaking.

Nigeria’s Road to Hell, directed by Kelechi Emmanuel Eze, emerged as Best African Feature Film, while India’s Cupid Saw the Star, directed by Adhithya Baby, won Best International Feature Film.

In short film categories, Cameroon’s Echoes of You (Roy Amabo Ntinwa) claimed Best African Short Film, and the UK’s Mask (Shiraz Khan) received Best International Short Film. Canada’s Abandoned in the Six (Ariyike Akinbobola) took Best Narrative Short Film, reaffirming ASIFF’s focus on story-driven cinema.

The festival also celebrated experimentation and emerging formats. Australia’s FaceTime, directed by Tay Jade Barrientos, won Best Experimental Short Film, while Rabita received Best Animation. Taiwan’s Samurai Spirits was honoured with Best AI Film, highlighting ASIFF’s commitment to exploring the frontiers of creative technology.

Documentary storytelling was equally central. Kenya’s When the Water Rises won Best Documentary Short Film, and Brazil’s Water Vapor received Best Documentary Feature, underscoring the festival’s dedication to real-world stories with social relevance.

Performance and craft were recognized through awards for Best Actor (Fiyinfolu Okedare, Sabbath), Best Actress (Priscila Buiar, Prayer Petrópolis), and Best Cinematography (José, Italy). Kenya’s Ramadhan Nungu was named Best Director, while Best Producer and Best Social Impact Film went to The Happiness Experiment (United States), produced by Meghan Reese.

Emerging talent was also a key focus. Tosin Olomu received Best First-Time Filmmaker, Wendy Isendi Isendi Munangwe was named Next Rated Female Filmmaker, and Offie Darlington earned Next Rated Male Filmmaker, a clear signal of ASIFF’s commitment to nurturing the next wave of global storytellers.

As Africa’s first smartphone film festival, ASIFF has not only opened doors, it has changed the rules of access. It has shown that powerful cinema can be made with tools people already own, and that global recognition is no longer reserved for those with big budgets or industry backing.

ASIFF 2025 demonstrated that cinema is becoming mobile, digital, and borderless. By embracing innovation in production and distribution, the festival is not only reflecting the future of film, it is actively shaping it.

As ASIFF looks toward its landmark 10th anniversary in 2027, its mission remains clear: to empower creators, celebrate diverse voices, and position African SmartFilm and mobile-first cinema as a central force in the global film landscape.

The future of film, as ASIFF continues to prove, is not coming. It is already in our hands.