The African Smartphone Film Festival spotlights mobile and AI filmmaking, celebrating innovation and global talent in digital cinema

The ninth edition of the African Smartphone International Film Festival (ASIFF) showcased how smartphones, AI, and digital-first production models are reshaping global cinema.

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The festival, held from 18 to 21 December 2025, brought together filmmakers from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas under the theme “The Future of Film Is Already in Your Hands.”

Founded in 2017 by filmmaker Michael Osheku, ASIFF was created to demonstrate that compelling films could be made without expensive cameras or large crews.

The festival now promotes “African SmartFilm,” a movement combining mobile filmmaking, AI-assisted production, experimental techniques, and culturally rooted narratives designed for contemporary screens.

The 2025 programme reflected evolving audience habits and platforms, featuring mobile cinema, vertical and social-first storytelling, AI-powered creation, animation, and digital distribution.

Screenings ranged from short films and documentaries to feature-length narratives and AI-generated works.

Award winners included Nigeria’s Kelechi Eze, whose Road to Hell took Best African Feature Film, and India’s Adhithya Baby, awarded Best International Feature Film for Cupid Saw the Star.

Cameroon’s Echoes of You won Best African Short Film, while the UK’s Mask received Best International Short Film.

Canada’s Abandoned in the 6ix was named Best Narrative Short Film.

Innovation was central to the festival.

Australia’s FaceTime won Best Experimental Short Film, while Taiwan’s Samurai Spirits received Best AI Film.

Documentary awards went to Kenya’s When the Water Rises(Best Documentary Short) and Brazil’s Water Vapour (Best Documentary Feature).

Individual and technical achievements were also recognised.

Nigeria’s Fiyinfolu Okedare won Best Actor for Sabbath, while Priscila Buiar took Best Actress for Prayer Petrópolis (Brazil).

Best Cinematography was awarded to José (Italy).

The festival also highlighted leadership and social relevance.

The Happiness Experiment* (USA) won Best Social Impact Film, with Meghan Reese named Best Producer.

Kenya’s Ramadhan Nungu received Best Director for Hatua.

Emerging talent was celebrated, with Tosin Olomu (Nigeria) winning Best First-Time Filmmaker, and Wendy Munangwe (Kenya) and Offie Darlington (Nigeria) recognised as Next Rated Female and Male Filmmakers.

Honourable Mentions went to projects from Korea, Venezuela, Brazil, Indonesia, Egypt, the UK, and South Africa.

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Beyond awards, ASIFF provides mentorship and resources for filmmakers, signalling that smartphone and digital filmmaking is no longer peripheral but an increasingly influential force in global cinema.