19^th

ADDIS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

21^st May - 25^th May 2025

initiative Africa

ALLIANCE ETHIO FRANÇAISE

HAGER FIKIR THEATER

ITALIAN CULTURAL INSITUTE

GOETHE AËTHIOPIEN INSTITUT

ADDIS FILM FESTIVAL Awaits

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AIFF

Who We Are

The Addis International Film Festival is an annual event organized by Initiative Africa. It is a unique initiative seeking to use the power of documentaries and short films to support innovative ways of creating awareness of social issues. Every year AIFF showcases films made by a diverse group of both seasoned and emerging filmmakers who have documented information essential for analyzing issues that affect society.

OPENING NIGHT: MADE IN ETHIOPIA

When a massive Chinese factory complex attempts a high-stakes expansion in rural Ethiopia, three women in search of prosperity have their faith in industrialization tested to the limit.
Director/s: Max Duncan, Xinyan Yu
Producer: Tamara Mariam Dawit.

Duration: 97 min.

Awards:
Tribeca Film Festival 2024: Received a Special Jury Mention in the Documentary Feature category.
Warsaw International Film Festival 2024: Earned a Special Jury Mention for Documentary Feature.

-AIFF SCREENING SCHEDULE-

Welcome to the 19th Addis International Film Festival 2025 – AIFF Ethiopia’s leading platform for documentary and socially conscious films. Since 2007, AIFF has brought together global filmmakers and local audiences to celebrate stories that matter. Hosted in Addis Ababa from May 21 to May 25, 2025, this annual event showcases compelling cinema, offers industry workshops, and builds connections that go beyond borders. Whether you’re a filmmaker, student, or fan of powerful stories, AIFF is the place to be.

"Participating in AIFF was a transformative experience. The festival's commitment to showcasing human rights issues through compelling storytelling provided a platform for voices that often go unheard. The audience's engagement and the post-screening discussions were deeply enriching."

"As a visiting filmmaker, I was blown away by the hospitality, the depth of the discussions, and the quality of films. Addis is becoming a key hub for socially-driven cinema in Africa thanks to AIFF."

"The workshops offered at AIFF were invaluable. As an emerging filmmaker, the insights gained from industry professionals and the collaborative environment helped me hone my craft and understand the nuances of documentary storytelling."

May 2025 / Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

The largest human rights and independent documentary cinema festival in Africa, Addis film festival also accepts narrative docudramas like my film America’s Family. Given the four international arts institutions splitting screenings and the 180 Addis-based international embassies and United Nations organizations that send reps to attend, the fest has marked a global vibe.

The films were tremendously inspiring and a refreshing reminder of why we engage in social-justice work, and participating on panels was eye-opening especially brainstormin with young local
filmmakers on how to get their hands on limited resources. The festival did a solid job of connecting us to media outlets, including the Capital newspaper, its media sponsor. And we enjoyed extraordinary Ethiopian and Italian food (the latter a leftover of Italy’s failed attempt to colonize Ethiopia). Also, you’re not going to find a better cup of coffee anywhere.
Anike Tourse

Sundance Film Festival Honors Science-Themed Feature "SALLY"

At the 2025 Sundance Film Festival, the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize, recognizing outstanding films about science or technology, was awarded to “SALLY.” The filmmakers received a $25,000 cash award from the Sundance Institute with support from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Additionally, the Short Film Special Jury Award for Directing went to “Tiger,” directed by Loren Waters.

Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Announces 2025 Award Winners

The 2025 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival awarded nine prizes totaling $45,000 in cash. The Grand Jury Award went to “Seeds,” directed by Brittany Shyne, while “The Perfect Neighbor,” directed by Geeta Gandbhir, received the Grand Jury Special Jury Award. Full Frame is an Academy Award® qualifying event for the Documentary Short Film category and the Producers Guild of America Awards.

Nicolas Cage Shines in "The Surfer" at Cannes

Nicolas Cage delivers a riveting performance in “The Surfer,” a psychological thriller and dark comedy that premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the film follows Cage’s character as he confronts a cult-like group of surfers on his childhood beach in Australia. The film blends ’70s B-movie aesthetics with psychedelic visuals and dark humor, drawing thematic parallels to toxic masculinity and delusion. Cage’s intense portrayal captivated audiences, evoking comparisons with some of his most memorable performances.

Bilbao's FANT Festival Celebrates 50 Years of Horror Cinema

The 31st edition of the Festival de Cine Fantástico de Bilbao (FANT) kicked off on May 2, 2025, honoring half a century of horror cinema with a tribute to “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.” The festival opened at the Teatro Campos Elíseos, presenting the European premiere of Babak Anvari’s “Hallow Road” and awarding him the FANT Honor Prize. This year’s lineup includes 19 feature films and 30 short films, with a notable presence of Basque and Asian productions, particularly from Korea. FANT has also joined the European Fantastic Film Festivals Federation, enabling it to award the Méliès de Plata.

19th