The Addis International Film Festival

The Addis International Film Festival highlights the film industry’s emerging talent, paying homage to the year’s best documentary films, allowing the audience the opportunity to experience thought-provoking and insightful documentary cinema that offers unique or controversial perspectives in the world. All of the films included in the program reflect Initiative Africa’s commitment to contribute to the greatest development challenges of the day: preparing socially responsible citizenry.

Over the past years, hundreds of award-winning documentary features from the globe have been screened in Sebastopol and City Hall Theatres, Alliance Ethio-Francaise, the Italian Cultural Institute, Ethiopian Management Institute, the US Embassy, the British Council, various local youth centres and universities across the country. Screenings are followed by lively Q&A sessions with directors and industry professionals. Guest speakers – including film directors, International media professionals, and members from different advocacy organizations – have taken part in lively audience discussions following the screenings. The festival weekend also include panels, workshops, photographic exhibits, musical concerts and entertainment.

Launched in 2007, the program started out of local sincere devotion to the cause of promoting social education in Ethiopia, and beyond the belief in the power of documentary films to aid that cause. Artistically the Festival expects to create a space for interaction among international and local filmmakers, youth and professionals and the general public.