African Women Film Festival 2025
Voices of Resilience: The Power of Storytelling in African Cinema

A three-day celebration of the creativity, resilience, and global impact of African women in cinema—exploring how women filmmakers are redefining narratives and bringing new energy to the film industry.

The event features award-winning filmmakers from across the continent alongside University of Michigan faculty experts for film screenings, Q&A sessions, and panel discussions. Conversations will address topics such as representation, gender, and the changing landscape of African media—creating space for dialogue among filmmakers, scholars, students, and the broader community.

The festival will also welcome Mahen Bonetti, founder and executive director of African Film Festival, Inc., as the keynote speaker. Renowned internationally for her vision and decades of advocacy, Bonetti continues to champion African cinema and amplify its voices on the global stage.

The African Women Film Festival (AWFF) is organized by the African Studies Center at the University of Michigan and made possible with support from the Office of the Vice Provost for Engaged Learning, Global Michigan; the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies; the International Institute; and other campus partners. AWFF seeks to amplify the voices of African women in film, celebrating their artistry, innovation, and resilience while creating spaces for dialogue, mentorship, and cross-continental collaboration.