AFRIFF Opens with Rhythms of the Continent — The Afrobeats Film Movement Opening Night to Feature “3 Cold Dishes” (Executive Produced by Burna Boy) in a Celebration of Sound, Score, and Storytelling Transforming African Cinema

By our Correspondent

The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) has announced that this year’s edition will open on Sunday, November 2, 2025, in Lagos, Nigeria, with the launch of its festival theme, Rhythms of the Continent — The Afrobeats Film Movement.

The theme explores the vibrant pulse of African storytelling, where music, scoring, and sound design are central creative elements, and showcases the growing influence of Afrobeats artists in shaping modern African cinema.

AFRIFF’s opening night will feature the much-anticipated crime thriller 3 Cold Dishes, directed by Asurf Oluseyi (co-directed with Apolline Traoré) and executive produced by Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy. The film follows three women who, after being trafficked as young girls, reunite years later to exact revenge on the powerful men who ruined their lives — a gripping, music-infused tale of justice, resilience, and retribution.

The festival’s line-up will also include in-depth feature documentaries on global Afrobeats icons Wizkid and Flavour, reflecting a growing trend where music stars are shaping cinematic narratives — producing films, commissioning scores, financing projects, and taking on on-screen roles — while African filmmakers and composers center sound as a defining element of the movie experience.

About the Opening Filmmaker — Asurf Oluseyi
Asurf Oluseyi, a Lagos-based producer and director, is the founder of Asurf Films. His debut feature, Hakkunde, received widespread critical acclaim and international recognition, with his work now featured on major streaming platforms.

Renowned for his documentary work capturing major Afrobeats tours and performances, Asurf brings a distinctive understanding of the intersection between African music and cinema, making him an essential voice in a programme that celebrates rhythm and sound.

In her statement introducing this year’s theme, AFRIFF founder and festival director Chioma Ude said:

> “Rhythms are how our stories move — they mark memory, resistance, and joy. This year’s programme, Rhythms of the Continent, celebrates the ways music is rewriting our cinema. Afrobeats artists are stepping both behind and in front of the camera, commissioning films, and collaborating with brilliant composers and sound designers who are transforming how audiences experience our stories. Opening in Lagos on November 2 with 3 Cold Dishes, we honour that creative momentum — the beats, the scores, and the voices expanding African storytelling for the world.”

Additional Festival Highlights:

Feature-length documentaries spotlighting Wizkid and Flavour, tracing their musical journeys and cultural impact.

A curated selection of narrative features and shorts emphasizing scoring, sound design, and music-driven storytelling.

Industry sessions, masterclasses, and panels on film scoring, music-to-screen financing, artist-led production, and sound design.

Details on the full programme, venues, ticketing, and accreditation will be released in the coming weeks.

About AFRIFF
Founded in 2010, the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) is committed to advancing African cinema, nurturing emerging talent, and creating global opportunities for filmmakers across the continent and the diaspora. The festival combines screenings, markets, masterclasses, and industry events to strengthen the ecosystem of African storytelling.