AAIFF Africa Concludes 2026 Edition with Paul Lasisi Receiving The Tarkovski Grant

The All African Independent Film Festival (AAIFF Africa) concluded its 2026 edition in Kigali, Rwanda, following three days of screenings, masterclasses, filmmaker conversations and awards from 15–17 October 2026.

This year’s festival brought together 19 films from 14 countries, celebrating the diversity and originality of independent filmmaking from Africa and beyond. Alongside the screenings, the programme featured professional masterclasses in screenwriting, cinematography and directing, as well as discussions on storytelling and education and Q&A sessions with participating filmmakers.

The festival concluded with an awards ceremony recognising 17 winners across seven categories.

Among the recipients was filmmaker Paul Lasisi, whose film Òkola received The Tarkovski Grant for Africa’s Best Independent Film 2026.

The award marks the first Tarkovski Grant presented by AAIFF Africa following the festival’s new collaboration with The Tarkovski Grant, an international initiative supporting independent filmmakers in continuing the festival journey of their work.

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As a recipient, Lasisi will receive complimentary submission fee waivers to an international network of 25+ participating film festivals, providing further opportunities for Òkola to reach audiences beyond its appearance at AAIFF Africa.

The collaboration with AAIFF Africa forms part of a wider relationship between The Tarkovski Grant and the ÉCU Film Festival Group, extending opportunities for independent filmmakers across its international festival network.

With its 2026 edition now concluded, AAIFF Africa celebrates another gathering of independent voices—and its first Tarkovski Grant recipient, Paul Lasisi and Òkola.