THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.
A new prize celebrating African cinema through African eyes is about to make its debut. The AFP Critics Prize is set to be awarded for the first time in Lagos.
_______
In a bold step towards redefining how African cinema is recognized and critiqued, the African Film Press (AFP)—a continent-spanning alliance of independent film platforms—has unveiled the AFP Critics Prize. The award is set to debut this December at the Surreal16 Film Festival (S16) in Lagos, marking a new era in elevating critical voices within Africa’s film culture.
Inspired by the prestigious FIPRESCI Prize, the AFP Critics Prize will be awarded by African film critics, highlighting the growing importance of homegrown critical perspectives in shaping festival culture and elevating African cinema.
Inspired by the international FIPRESCI Prize, the award will be judged by African film critics, ensuring that recognition for bold storytelling comes from within the continent. For the inaugural edition, the jury will feature AFP’s founders: Tambay Obenson (Akoroko), Jennifer Ochieng (Sinema Focus), and Ikeade Oriade (What Kept Me Up).
The prize will include a cash award, a trophy, and a certificate. Backed by development partners and private sponsors, AFP was founded in 2024 to strengthen film criticism across Africa. It has already brought together platforms in West and East Africa, with Southern Africa next to join.
Festival co-founder CJ “Fiery” Obasi, whose award-winning film Mami Wata gained international acclaim at Sundance, said the partnership with AFP was a natural fit: “From the start, Surreal16 has been about originality and risk-taking. Having African critics shape that conversation is exactly what we need.”
AFP plans to present the Critics Prize at four African film festivals each year, beginning with Surreal16 in December.
The AFP Critics Prize is more than an award, it’s a statement. By centering African critical voices, it strengthens the continent’s cultural sovereignty and ensures that the stories shaping Africa’s future are judged on African terms.
Vivian Asamoah
____________
About the African Film Press (AFP)
AFP is a collaborative alliance of film platforms across Africa and the diaspora, founded in 2024. Its members include Akoroko, Sinema Focus, and What Kept Me Up, with more to be announced. AFP produces journalism, criticism, analysis, research, and intelligence on African screen industries and is introducing the AFP Critics Prize to further elevate critical discourse and recognition across the continent.
