Celebrating
Excellence
The BIFIF Awards recognise the best of African cinema across eleven categories — from the Grand Jury Prize to Student Best Film.
Awards Night
December 20, 2026 · 7:00 PM · Grand Stage, Badagry
The closing ceremony and awards gala — red carpet, live broadcast, 500+ guests.
Award Categories
Best Feature Film
The Grand Jury Prize — the festival's highest honour, awarded to the best film in the competition.
Best Director
Awarded to the director who demonstrates the most distinctive and accomplished filmmaking vision.
Best Actor
Recognising the most compelling male performance across all competition entries.
Best Actress
Recognising the most compelling female performance across all competition entries.
Best Cinematography
Celebrating the finest visual storytelling through camera and light.
Best Short Film
Awarded to the standout entry in the short film competition.
Best Documentary
Honouring excellence in non-fiction African storytelling.
African Diaspora Award
Recognising the best film made by an African filmmaker living outside the continent.
Audience Choice Award
Voted for by festival attendees — the people's pick for the best film of the edition.
Best Screenplay
Celebrating outstanding writing in feature or short film entries.
Student Best Film
Celebrating an outstanding film created by an emerging student filmmaker.