Melbourne will welcome a major cultural milestone in March 2026 as Africa Film Fest Australia (AFFA) arrives in the city for the first time, bringing a vibrant celebration of African cinema to Cinema Nova from Friday 27 to Sunday 29 March.
Known as Australia’s leading platform for African storytelling on screen, AFFA showcases powerful contemporary films from across the African continent and its global diaspora. The festival is driven by a clear mission: to amplify African voices, challenge stereotypes, and create cultural bridges through authentic storytelling.
Founded and curated by African-Australian creatives, AFFA has quickly grown into a national movement that highlights the diversity, creativity and depth of African experiences — from joy and resilience to political struggle and social transformation.
The Melbourne program opens with the award-winning Ghanaian film The Fisherman, a magical and thought-provoking story that blends fantasy with social commentary, marking a historic moment for Ghanaian cinema on the global stage.
Mumbi Hinga, Co-founder of the African Film Festival
Audiences will also experience a rich lineup of films exploring themes such as education, identity, music, youth resilience, family bonds and revolutionary history. From stories of young girls fighting for their right to learn, to documentaries capturing African musical heritage and narratives set in times of political upheaval, the festival offers a powerful cross-section of African life and imagination.
Beyond entertainment, AFFA serves as a space for dialogue, representation and community connection. Through screenings, discussions and filmmaker engagements, the festival invites Australians of all backgrounds to engage deeply with Africa’s stories in their complexity and humanity.
The expansion to Melbourne reflects growing interest in African cinema and the increasing recognition of African-Australian voices within Australia’s cultural landscape.
More than a film festival, AFFA is a celebration of identity, creativity and storytelling — and its Melbourne debut promises to be a landmark moment for multicultural arts in Australia.
