African International Film Festival Saskatchewan Prepares for Second Edition

Yinka Olatunbosun

Building on the foundation laid by its inaugural gathering, the African International Film Festival (AIFF-S) Saskatchewan is gearing up for its anticipated 2026 edition in Regina from September 23 to 26. The festival will feature as its official selection ‘Mothers of Chibok,’ a documentary film by Emmy-winning filmmaker, Joel ‘Kachi Benson.

The movie follows four mothers as they embark on a quiet but extraordinary journey to rebuild their lives in Chibok, ten years after the abduction of some school girls. Over the course of a single farming season, these mothers work the land, provide for their families, with an unwavering determination to send their children to school with the hope of a better future.

The AIFF continues to expand its mandate as a major cultural bridge, positioning Saskatchewan as a vital hub for African, Afro-diasporic, and Black Canadian cinema.

The upcoming iteration aims to deepen connections between African filmmakers and Prairie creative ecosystems through expanded programming, industry forums, and community engagements:

The 2026 lineup includes short films, and investigative documentaries from across the African continent and diaspora, with dedicated slates highlighting West and East African indie cinema.

Partnering again with academic institutions like La Cité at the University of Regina, the festival will host symposia focused on cinematic archive preservation, diaspora storytelling, and the global reach of African pop culture and media.

Designed to bridge local and international talent, workshops will connect emerging Saskatchewan filmmakers with visiting directors, producers, and distributors to explore cross-continental co-productions.

For the organisers, the previous edition marked the beginning of a commitment to uncover compelling and thought-provoking African cinema of the twenty-first century.

“This year, we build upon that foundation with a curated selection of features, documentaries, and short films that speak directly to our 2026 theme: “African Lens: Reflections, Resistances and Revolutions.”
At a time when stories shape understanding, it is both imperative and timely to bring to Saskatchewan the voices of some of the most distinguished African filmmakers in the world.

“We extend our sincere gratitude to our sponsors and partners for their steadfast support, to our audiences for embracing this vision, and to our dedicated volunteers whose tireless efforts have made this edition possible,” Babatunde and Julianah Onikoyi, Co-Founders AIFF-S.

As the African diaspora in Western Canada continues to grow, AIFF Saskatchewan offers a dedicated platform where universal themes—identity, history, resilience, and belonging—are explored through an authentic African lens. The 2026 edition promises to further establish the Prairies as an essential stop on the international African film festival circuit.