Lights, Camera, AFRICA! returns to Lagos for a free three-day festival of African films, filmmaker Q&As, networking and Community discovery at MUSON Centre.
After a six-year break from physical programming in Lagos, Lights, Camera, AFRICA! Film Festival is returning with an accessible way to discover films beyond mainstream commercial distribution. The free three-day event runs from October 1–3, 2026, at La Scala and AGIP Hall inside Lagos’ MUSON Centre.
Attendance remains free, although advance registration is required. For Nollywood fans, filmmakers and curious viewers, that combination removes a major barrier to exploring Nigerian, African and diasporic cinema in a shared setting.
A ten-film programme built for discovery
The official festival site identifies the 2026 gathering, themed Convivium: In Gathering, as the tenth edition of Lights, Camera, AFRICA! Its programme lists ten films across the three days, creating a compact discovery route for viewers who may not regularly encounter these titles through cinemas, streaming platforms or familiar YouTube recommendations.
Nigerian works on the schedule include Oba Kosi Nwoba’s By Design, Nze Emeka Keazor’s Never Say Die, Kagho Idhebor’s My Jebba Story and Emma Edosio’s When Nigeria Happens. The mix of shorts and features gives audiences room to sample different filmmakers and storytelling approaches without committing to a conventional commercial release cycle.
Community extends beyond the screenings
The festival is not structured simply as a succession of films. Its programme includes filmmaker Q&As, informal and industry networking, an opening reception and a family-and-Community gathering. A closing performance by OBREE DAMAN also places live cultural exchange alongside the screen programme.
Those participation points matter because independent film discovery often depends on context. A Q&A can introduce the thinking behind a project, while networking spaces can connect actors, producers, filmmakers and potential collaborators. Collective viewing also gives audiences an immediate opportunity to discuss work that might otherwise be encountered alone.
Why the Lagos comeback matters
For Nollywood Spotlight readers accustomed to discovering movies online, Lights, Camera, AFRICA! offers a complementary experience: watch the work in person, hear from creative voices and meet other people interested in African screen storytelling. Its free-access model also opens the programme to viewers who want to broaden their watchlists without the cost of individual tickets.
The festival’s six-year Lagos comeback is therefore more than a calendar return. It restores a physical Community space where audiences can encounter less-visible films, exchange perspectives and potentially follow new filmmakers long after the final screening ends.
Join the conversation
Which part of the festival experience would most help you discover new African films: screenings, filmmaker Q&As or networking?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Sources
Source links used to research and verify this article:
Lights, Camera, AFRICA! Film FestivalLights, Camera, AFRICA! 2026 Programme
Lights, Camera, AFRICA! 2026 FAQ
Lights, Camera, AFRICA! Registration
