Film Africa Network secures varsity support for continental screening initiative
By Wale Okediran
THE Film Africa Network (FAN), led by its Executive Director and Secretary-General of the Pan African Writers Association (PAWA), Dr. Wale Okediran, on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of BAZE University, Abuja, Nigeria, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi, to seek institutional support and strengthen collaboration for its continental film-screening initiative, Africa Watches Together.
The visit stressed the importance of partnerships between academic institutions and cultural organisations in promoting African cinema, literature and creative expression.
While presenting Africa Watches Together initiative, Okediran explained that FAN launched the continental screening project in October 2026 to address the persistent difficulties African filmmakers face in distributing and screening their works beyond their home countries.
The initiative aims to expand access to African films, promote cross-border cultural exchange and connect filmmakers with wider audiences. Planned to cover between 21 and 25 African countries, the programme will utilise cinemas, universities and cultural centres as screening venues. It receives support in part from grants provided by the Open Society Foundations and Africa No Filter.
The inaugural lineup features six films showcasing the breadth of African storytelling: My Father’s Shadow, Seeking a Haven for Mr Rambo, Afrotopia, Mvera, The Fact of Dreads and Comrade Tambo’s London Recruits.
The latter film, an award-winning South African/Welsh documentary about espionage, courage and solidarity during the anti-apartheid struggle, was selected for the Nigerian opening of the initiative. Through the campaign, FAN seeks to establish a shared cinematic experience across national borders and position African cinema as an instrument of cultural dialogue, historical preservation and continental unity.
Professor Adeniyi warmly received the delegation, expressed appreciation for the initiative and pledged BAZE University’s support for the project. The university has provided a 400-seat-capacity hall, equipped with the necessary facilities, to support the screening. The commitment represents an important institutional contribution to the campaign’s Nigerian launch and demonstrates the potential of university partnerships to expand access to African films.
The delegation’s engagement with the university leadership also provided an opportunity to explore stronger connections between higher education, literature and the creative industries.
Group photograph of writers on courtsey visit to BAZE University, Abuja
The 11th President of ANA, Mallam Denja Abdullahi, commended Professor Adeniyi for enhancing the visibility of BAZE University since its establishment and described his recently delivered inaugural lecture, titled ‘When Your Village People Follow You,’ as incisive and thought-provoking.
Curreny President of the Association of Nigerian Author (ANA) Dr. Usman Oladipo Akanbi also commended the vice chancellor as a passionate supporter of writers and a prolific author in his own right. He observed that greater awareness of the university’s literary-friendly environment would have encouraged ANA to involve the institution more actively in its literary projects at the Mamman Vatsa Writers’ Village. The remarks highlighted opportunities for deeper collaboration between the university and Nigeria’s literary community.
The courtesy visit marked a valuable step towards building institutional partnerships for the success of Africa Watches Together, with BAZE University’s pledge of support providing a practical foundation for the initiative’s activities in Nigeria.
Through its collaboration with PAWA, Driving Park Limited and participating institutions, FAN aims to improve the circulation of African films, encourage audiences to engage with stories from across the continent and strengthen the creative ecosystem. The network expressed optimism that sustained cooperation among filmmakers, writers, universities and cultural organisations would help African stories reach more audiences across Africa and beyond.
Okediran was accompanied by Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA) Board of Trustees, Emeritus Professor Femi Osofisan, Abdullahi, Akanbi, Hon. Dr. Abdul S. Oroh, ANA Abuja Chairman, Chukwudi Eze, Seun Okediran, Acting General Secretary of ANA, Wole Adedoyin, Assistant Publicity Secretary of ANA Abuja, Yemi Mercy Enoch, and Pastor Tony Akanbi.
Before the meeting, Okediran had decorated Emeritus Professor Osofisan, Abdullahi and Akanbi with the PAWA Badge of Honour in recognition of their contributions to African literature. Professor Adeniyi also received the honour during the visit.
