Media entrepreneur, journalist, storyteller and host of the viral talk show #WithChude, Chude Jideonwo, will lead a special fireside conversation with acclaimed actor Hakeem Kae-Kazim and filmmaker Olive Nwosu at the 2026 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF). Titled “Opening Doors, Closing Chapters: The Stories Behind AFRIFF Opening and Closing Films,” the session will take place on Friday, November 6, 2026, from 11:00am to 12:00pm at Twin Waters, Okunde Bluewater Zone, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos. The conversation will bring together the creative minds behind AFRIFF 2026’s opening and closing films to explore the ideas, inspiration and journeys that brought their stories to the screen.
Drawing on his extensive experience in media, storytelling, interviewing and cultural commentary, Jideonwo will guide the conversation through the creative vision behind both films, the challenges of bringing compelling stories to life and the responsibility of filmmakers in shaping how African stories are told and received. His work with #WithChude, one of Africa’s most watched talk shows, has established him as a leading interviewer known for creating space for thoughtful, candid conversations with influential voices across entertainment, culture, leadership and society. His ability to draw out the human experiences and creative thinking behind public work makes him particularly suited to a conversation about the craft, ambition and realities of filmmaking.
AFRIFF is one of Africa’s leading film festivals, providing a platform for filmmakers, actors, industry professionals and audiences to celebrate African cinema and engage with the stories shaping its future. The fireside chat will offer festival attendees an opportunity to hear directly from the directors of the festival’s opening and closing films, while examining the broader significance of authentic African storytelling and the role of cinema in shaping cultural identity and global perception. Through this conversation, Jideonwo will help illuminate not only the stories behind two important festival films, but also the creative journeys and possibilities driving the future of African cinema.
