On the 17th of September, 2026, Femi Odugbemi introduced ÌTÀN: The Screen Gathering & Awards, a new annual platform designed to bring together the people and institutions shaping the future of African cinema by KAP Group.

The unveiling took place at KAP Film Village & Resort, Igbojaye, during the KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp Graduation Short Film Premiere attended by distinguished guests from Nigeria and across the African continent.

ÌTÀN is envisioned as an annual gathering of filmmakers, producers, distributors, investors, policymakers, educators, archivists and technology leaders, creating a space for meaningful conversations, collaboration, knowledge exchange and new opportunities across Africa’s screen industries.

The inaugural edition is scheduled to launch in October 2027 at KAP Film Village & Resort, marking the beginning of what organisers hope will become a significant recurring meeting point for the African film ecosystem.

A CONTINENTAL CONVERSATION BEGINS

Following the public unveiling, a select group of industry stakeholders convened for a closed-door strategic session to exchange perspectives on the vision and long-term development of ÌTÀN .

The consultation brought together prominent African and international voices, including internationally acclaimed filmmakers and industry professionals Keith Shiri, Jean-Pierre Bekolo, Yasmeen Telsem, and Virginie Besson-Silla, alongside leading Nigerian practitioners including Femi Odugbemi, Kunle Afolayan, ‘Seun Soyinka, Tunji Azeez, Steve Ayorinde, Oluseyi Asurf, and veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani, among others.

Facilitated by Steve Ayorinde, the session explored broad questions around how African filmmakers and institutions can collaborate more effectively, strengthen the continent’s screen ecosystem, preserve its cinematic heritage and create sustainable platforms for the next generation.

While the detailed deliberations remain part of the stakeholders’ strategic process, the conversation reflected a shared interest in moving beyond identifying the challenges facing African cinema towards developing practical, collective and sustainable solutions.

As Femi Odugbemi captured during the discussion:

“We have to tell the ÌTÀN story ourselves.”
RECLAIMING AFRICA’S STORIES AND CINEMATIC HERITAGE

A central theme emerging from the conversations was the importance of African ownership of African stories, from their creation and preservation to their distribution, interpretation and global representation.

Jean-Pierre Bekolo highlighted the importance of recovering and preserving Africa’s cinematic archives, describing the need to bring endangered cultural materials back into the continent’s creative ecosystem.

“Bring these archives that are being destroyed, bring them home.”

The discussion also examined the importance of developing stronger systems around film criticism, education, archives, exhibition, access to films and the preservation of African cinematic memory.
Keith Shiri emphasised the importance of ownership of African narratives, while also drawing attention to the need to strengthen film criticism and develop deeper intellectual engagement with the continent’s cinema.
Virginie Besson-Silla similarly underscored the scale of Africa’s storytelling heritage and the need for Africans to take greater ownership of how those stories are told and presented to the world.

She also pointed to the importance of spaces such as KAP Film Village & Resort in providing a physical environment where African stories, filmmakers and audiences can converge.

“IT IS A DREAM COME TRUE” -  KUNLE AFOLAYAN

For Kunle Afolayan, the unveiling represents the beginning of a long-held vision for creating stronger connections across Africa’s film industries.

Reflecting on his own experiences within the international film landscape and his efforts to preserve aspects of Nigeria’s cinematic heritage, He spoke about the importance of creating structures that will serve generations beyond the present.

Recalling his experiences with African film institutions and festivals, as well as his journey towards restoring films from his late father’s archive, he noted that he has so far been able to restore five films, reinforcing his commitment to the preservation of African cinematic heritage.

The ÌTÀN convener also reflected on the pan-African intention behind his filmmaking, citing The CEO as an example of his deliberate effort to bring together talent from different parts of the continent and break creative and geographical boundaries.

“This is about our future, our children, and generation unborn.”

He described ÌTÀN as a long-term cultural vision rather than simply a commercial venture, expressing his appreciation to the stakeholders and guests who had gathered to mark its beginning.

He also expressed the ambition for ÌTÀN to exist alongside broader efforts to preserve African cinematic heritage, including the proposed development of a Museum of African Cinema.

A NEW CHAPTER FOR AFRICAN SCREEN CULTURE

The unveiling generated an enthusiastic response from guests at the event, with prominent industry figures expressing their support for the initiative and admiration for Kunle Afolayan’s continued investment in the growth of African cinema.

Tade Ogidan, Chioma Ude, Sola Sobowale, Ibrahim Chatta, and all notable guests commended Kunle Afolayan’s determination and ability to pursue ambitious creative and cultural projects.

Tunde Kelani described the moment as significant, expressing his appreciation for witnessing what he sees as an important development in the continuing history of African cinema.

For the guests gathered at KAP Film Village & Resort, the unveiling offered more than the introduction of a new industry event. It presented a glimpse into a broader vision for how African cinema can preserve its past, strengthen its present and shape its future.

With its inaugural edition expected in October 2027, ÌTÀN: The Screen Gathering & Awards is set to create a new meeting point for the continent’s screen community, bringing together the people, ideas and institutions needed to advance African storytelling on a global stage.

PARTNERS

The KAP-SOPA Pan-African Filmmaking Bootcamp Graduation, Awards Night and unveiling of ÌTÀN : The Screen Gathering & Awards were made possible with the valued support of key partners:

Nicotawines, FlyBoku.com, Octogone, TVC Entertainment, Natnudo Foods, Oyo State Government and KAP Film Village & Resort.

KAP Group appreciate their partnership in supporting African storytelling, creativity and cultural exchange.

The story of African cinema continues. ÌTÀN is preparing to become part of its next chapter.