Guests · Opening keynote

A defining voice
in African cinema

BIFIF 2026 opens with a filmmaker whose work and leadership have helped shape contemporary African screen culture.

Femi Odugbemi, BIFIF 2026 opening keynote speaker

Opening keynote speaker

Femi Odugbemi

Femi Odugbemi is an acclaimed writer, filmmaker and television content producer whose work captures the depth, richness and diversity of the African experience. An Oscar-voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and a Fellow of NANTAP, his leadership has reshaped the continent’s screen culture. From serving as a founding producer of Tinsel and executive producer of Battleground, to creating acclaimed feature films and international documentaries, his work has travelled across screens worldwide.

Opening keynote

Economic Opportunities in the Badagry Historic Corridor — BIFIF as the Gateway

Academy member, global juror and industry mentor

Film, television and documentary leadership

Continue the conversation

Meet the voices joining the BIFIF panels.

View panelists