The sixth edition of the Nairobi Film Festival (NBO) returns from October 16 to 26, 2025, transforming venues across the city into hubs for African storytelling, community screenings, and industry conversations. This year, twenty-six films from 15 countries highlight the festival’s dedication to bold narratives and diverse voices. Our hopes and dreams are very simple: good times and vibes, says artistic director Mbithi Masya. I just want people to really enjoy the films and experience them on the big screen together.
Local Kenyan stories take center stage, opening with the Sundance-approved documentary How to Build a Library, chronicling the restoration of Nairobi’s historic McMillan Library. Other notable Kenyan films include Zippy Kimundu’s Widow Champion, about women reclaiming their land and dignity; Omar Hamza’s comedy Sayari, centering on a runaway groom; John JJ Jumbo’s It’s A Free Country, a tale of street gangs and resistance; and The People Shall by Nick Wambugu and Mark Maina, capturing Kenya’s Gen Z-led protests. Audiences will also have the rare chance to interact with filmmakers during Q&A sessions, gaining insight into their creative processes and the real-life inspirations behind the films.
For the first time, the festival introduces an In-Competition section, showcasing five powerful films, including Baker Karim’s The Dog and Zoey Martinson’s The Fisherman, judged by a jury led by Wanuri Kahiu, director of Rafiki. The festival also celebrates shorts in a playful shorts and shots event, blending experimental storytelling with social experiences. Internationally, films such as Aisha Can’t Fly Away (Tunisia/Egypt/France), Memories of Love Returned (Uganda), and Matabeleland (Zimbabwe) highlight Africa’s cinematic range. Additionally, a spotlight on Afro-Latin and diasporic cinema, including Black Orpheus and Kuote Vwa, connects African narratives with their global echoes.
The 2025 NBO Film Festival promises to be a celebration of African creativity, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, and stories that span the continent and beyond, redefining the possibilities of African cinema.