Addis International Film Festival (AIFF Ethiopia)
Ethiopia's most important film festival, held annually in Addis Ababa, presenting international and African cinema in the capital of the continent's second most populous nation and the seat of the African Union.
Overview
The Addis International Film Festival is Ethiopia's most important film festival. Founded in 2012 and held annually in Addis Ababa -- the capital of Africa's second most populous nation (with over 120 million people) and the seat of the African Union -- the festival presents international and African cinema to one of the continent's most strategically significant capitals.
Addis Ababa's identity as the diplomatic capital of Africa -- virtually every African nation maintains an embassy in Addis, and the African Union headquarters dominate the city's diplomatic district -- gives the festival unusual access to the continent's political and diplomatic leadership alongside its general public audience.
Ethiopia's extraordinary ancient civilization -- the only African nation never colonized, with a written history extending back three millennia and a religious tradition combining ancient Coptic Christianity with Islam and traditional belief -- creates a cultural context of remarkable depth for the film festival.
Key Sections
- International Competition -- films competing for jury prizes
- Ethiopian Film Program -- new Ethiopian features and shorts
- African Panorama -- films from across the continent
- Horn of Africa Section -- films from Ethiopia, Somalia, Eritrea, and Djibouti
- Documentary Program -- nonfiction features
What Filmmakers Should Know
AIFF accepts open submissions. For Ethiopian filmmakers, this is the most important domestic platform. The African Union context creates connections with the continent's diplomatic and political leadership. The Horn of Africa section provides regional connections with a historically underrepresented film region.
Major Awards
- Best Film -- jury prize
- Best Ethiopian Film
- Best African Film
- Audience Award
Festival History
AIFF was founded in 2012 and has operated as Ethiopia's primary film cultural event.
See Also
For East African cinema, see International Film Markets. For the Zanzibar film festival, see Zanzibar International Film Festival.
