Houston is set to host the fourth edition of the African Cultural Film Festival, AFFRICUFF, from October 23 to 25, 2026, at the Star Cinema Grill, Richmond, Texas.
The festival, founded by award-winning filmmaker and scholar Dr. Emem Isong Misodi, has become a key platform for celebrating African and culturally diverse cinema, giving voice to underrepresented filmmakers and fostering connections between creatives and communities.
In four years, AFFRICUFF has grown into a major cultural event in Houston, drawing storytellers, film lovers and cultural ambassadors to celebrate cinema as a bridge across borders.
This year, the festival will run under the theme “New Voices. New Visions.” – a focus on emerging filmmakers, fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling rooted in African heritage and its diaspora.
The jury will be headed by Dr. Shaibu Hussein, alongside Tanya Price, Uche Macauley, Simon Chibuzor Emeka and Onimisi Adaba.
Attendees should expect three days of film screenings, filmmaker Q&As, cultural exchanges, networking sessions and a closing awards celebration honouring cinematic excellence.
But AFFRICUFF is more than a film showcase. It is where cultures meet.
For Dr. Misodi, who holds a PhD in Film and Media Studies with a focus on cultural hybridity and has spent over 30 years in film, the festival is personal.
“AFFRICUFF is much more than a film festival to me. It is a celebration of who we are, where we come from and the beautiful possibilities that emerge when different cultures meet,” she said. “My passion has always been to tell stories, promote the arts and create spaces where people can connect through culture.”
Through curated screenings and conversations, the festival will explore themes of identity, heritage, migration and shared human experiences, while giving independent filmmakers a global stage to showcase their work and build international networks.
