A new festival is coming to Nigeria’s film calendar. The Christian Faith International Film Festival (CFiF) Nigeria will hold its first edition on 18 and 19 December 2026 at The iVTH Experience Cinema, Yaba, Lagos.
The festival aims to celebrate, develop and promote Christian and values-driven cinema through screenings, filmmaker awards and industry conversations. Submissions for the first edition are still open, and they’re free.
Making faith-based films feel bold
CFiF says it wants to raise the bar for Christian film-making in Nigeria. Its organisers want the festival to avoid looking like a conventional church programme. Instead, they want it to feel cinematic and contemporary, open to committed Christian audiences and to anyone who simply loves a good story.
The festival judges films on three qualities: faith, meaning stories shaped by Christian values, belief or spiritual questions; craft, meaning strong storytelling, performances and visual language; and impact, meaning films that start conversations and stay with audiences after the screening.
Importantly, CFiF won’t insist on a single definition of what a “Christian film” must look like. It welcomes films that engage with faith directly, as well as stories where themes like redemption, hope, human dignity and social responsibility are woven into the narrative.
Executive Director Moses Ipadeola said the festival’s vision is “to become a globally recognised hub for faith-based film-making, using the power of storytelling to transform lives, win souls for Christ and advance God’s Kingdom across nations.”
Meet the jury
The first edition will be judged by a three-person jury drawn from film, theatre and academia.
Dr. Abiodun Akinsiku (Jury Head) is a theatre and film director, producer, scholar and educator whose work covers Nigerian drama, Nollywood, digital cinema, adaptation and performance studies. He also trains emerging filmmakers and performers.
“Film, amongst other arts, replicates reality closely; a faith-based film festival like this hence gives a transference of light through the lens.”
Segilola Ogidan is an actress, filmmaker, writer and director whose career spans film, television and theatre. She studied Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London, and holds a master’s in Cinema Studies from the University of Bristol. Her credits include The Men’s Club, A Naija Christmas, Glamour Girls and Netflix’s Over the Bridge, and she made her directorial debut with Tainted Canvas.
“Scripture says, ‘Write the vision, and make it plain.’ That’s what I’m looking for as a juror: stories told with clarity and courage, stories that move hearts and honor the Author of every story.”
Taiwo Egunjobi is a filmmaker, screenwriter and film critic known for atmospheric, character-driven films including In Ibadan, All Na Vibes, A Green Fever and The Fire and the Moth.
“I joined the Christian Faith International Film Festival because I believe in its vision and the importance of creating a platform for Christian filmmakers and faith-based stories. As a juror, I will be looking for thematic resonance, visual power and strong performances — how effectively a film communicates its themes, uses its visual language, and brings truth and depth to its characters.”
Five awards up for grabs
CFiF 2026 will present awards in five categories:
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best African Film
- Best Acting Ensemble
- Social Impact Award
The Social Impact Award will honour films that engage meaningfully with social realities and show how storytelling can change individuals, communities and society.
What to expect at the festival
Across two days, the festival will combine intimate screenings, filmmaker Q&As and panel discussions with theologians, artists and advocates, plus networking for filmmakers, sponsors and film lovers. The programme will include feature films, short films, social impact cinema and films by African filmmakers at home and in the diaspora.
How to submit
The festival is open to independent filmmakers from Nigeria, across Africa and around the world. Narrative, documentary, animated and experimental films are all eligible, as long as they explore Christian faith, human dignity or positive social impact.
Submissions are free. Films can be entered through Festhome.
Key dates
| Milestone | Date |
| Submissions opened | 12 July 2026 |
| Extended deadline | 25 October 2026 |
| Selection notifications | 15 November 2026 |
| Festival | 18–19 December 2026 |
Venue: The iVTH Experience Cinema, Yaba, Lagos
Contact: info.christianfaithifilmfest@gmail.com
