KIGALI, RWANDA (10 – 12th October, 2025)

This year was the exciting second edition of the All Africa’s Independent Film Festival (AAIFF Africa’s) in Kigali, Rwanda. The festival featured 21 independent films, bringing together powerful stories and unique voices from North, South, East, and West Africa.

We are proud to end this second year with our official awards ceremony, where we recognize the talented filmmakers behind these incredible works. Our festival was created to support and celebrate independent filmmakers from all parts of the African continent. These artists often work without big budgets, but their passion and creativity shine through. AAIFF Africa is here to give them a stage, to share their stories with the world, and help their careers grow.

AAIFF Africa’s is beyond proud to work alongside passionate and talented artists who create thought-provoking cinema without the support of large commercial budgets. What’s more, the AAIFF Asia is a part of the ÉCU (European Independent) Film Festival Group, whose primary mission is to discover and promote exceptional independent films from across the globe.

We look forward to many more years of powerful cinema and fresh talent at AAIFF Africa. 

Here are AAIFF Africa’s 2025 Winners

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT ANIMATED FILM 2025
Dawn — Directed by Gary Telly (JEANNOT)

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT DOCUMENTARY 2025
10 Toes Down (2025) — Directed by Ian Gituku

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT DRAMATIC FEATURE FILM 2025
Sarah — Directed by Nick Reding

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT DRAMATIC SHORT FILM 2025
Love & Jollof — Directed by Ramesh Jai Gulabrai

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT EXPERIMENTAL FILM 2025
DÈJÀ NU — Directed by Rolf Hellat

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT FILM 2025
The Yellow Dress — Directed by Caroline “Coach” Odongo
🏅 Best Actor 2025: Xavier Ywaya

AFRICA’S BEST INDEPENDENT FILM DIRECTOR 2025
Wrong Way — Directed by Nana Kofi Asihene

AFRICA’S BEST STUDENT FILM 2025
V’s Secret — Directed by Bassma Farah

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY 2025
Aïcha — Directed by Sanaa El Alaoui
Cinematographer: Oskar Jan Król
Best Actress 2025: Hind Dafer

BEST EDITING 2025
Lettre à ma fille — Directed and edited by Michael Maurissens

BEST INDEPENDENT FEATURE SCRIPT 2025
Date Night — Written by Ghislain Iradukunda

RWANDAN STUDENTS SPECIAL AWARD 2025
So Called Friend — Directed by Methode Muhire

SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Kieupe — Directed by Mélanie K. Zawadi

SPECIAL JURY MENTION
Nyiragitwa: Daughter of Sacyega — Directed by Fiston Mudacumura