Makurdi · Benue State · Nov 20–22, 2026

Where Nollywood Meets
the World Stage

Three days of cinema, culture and industry at the JS Tarkaa Foundation & Resort, Makurdi.

Nov 20–22, 2026JS Tarkaa Foundation & Resort+234 706 449 5898

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Awards Night Gala3 Days of Cinema ExcellenceMasterclasses & WorkshopsIndustry NetworkingCultural CelebrationsRed Carpet

About the Festival

A cinematic homecoming for Benue storytellers

Benue International Film Festival (BENIFFEST) is an annual gathering of filmmakers, actors and audiences held in Makurdi, celebrating homegrown storytelling alongside voices from across the globe. Screenings, panels and a red-carpet awards night sit side by side with performances from Tiv, Idoma and Igede troupes.

Beyond the screen, BENIFFEST exists to open doors: pitch sessions connect emerging directors with investors, workshops sharpen craft, and a growing industry network keeps Benue at the centre of Nigeria’s cinematic future.

Mission

Celebrate diverse storytelling, nurture film talent, and position Benue as a hub for cinematic excellence.

Vision

Become Africa’s leading film festival, fostering creativity, innovation and global collaboration.

Festival in Pictures

Where stories get made

Speakers

Voices on the BENIFFEST stage

Filmmaker, Entrepreneur

Femi Odugbemi

Nigerian writer, filmmaker and television producer, founder and executive producer of Zuri24 Media in Lagos, and a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ International Engagement Committee.

Filmmaker | Media Consultant

Victor Okhai

Filmmaker, veteran journalist and media consultant with a career spanning over three decades, and National President of the Directors Guild of Nigeria (DGN).

Actor | CEO of Papel Image Tech

Paul Apel Papel

Abuja-based award-winning filmmaker, producer and film editor, known for his technical excellence and for championing the growth of Nollywood in Northern Nigeria.

Actor | Director | Politician | Lecturer

Sam Dede (Samuel Dedetoku)

Legendary Nigerian actor, director, politician and lecturer, often called “The General” and widely considered one of the most influential actors in Nollywood history.

Afrofuturist Pioneer

D. Denenge Duyst-Akpem

Multidisciplinary “space sculptor”, performance artist, writer and educator. Born in Benue State and based in Chicago, she is a leading voice in Afrofuturism.

Actor | Producer | Consultant

Francis Onwochei

Consummate stage and screen actor, veteran TV and film producer and industry consultant who has helped grow and professionalise Nollywood over several decades.

Why Attend