The Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) is set to roll out the red carpet for 272 films drawn from 65 countries at its third edition, scheduled to hold from October 30 to November 2, 2025, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Themed “Roots and Resilience: Exploring the Strength and Resilience of Indigenous Cultures,” this year’s edition will celebrate African storytelling and global creativity while projecting Rivers State as a safe and vibrant destination for film, culture, and investment.
Organisers of the film festival pledged that the 2025 outing will go beyond film screenings to drive conversations around culture, tourism, and innovation, strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy and showcasing the depth of Rivers’ artistic potential.
Speaking during a media briefing in Port Harcourt yesterday, the Festival Director, Kate Chidinma Ezeigbo, said the event had evolved into a global platform for collaboration and cultural exchange.
Ezeigbo said, “Our 2025 edition will screen 272 films from 65 countries, a clear testament to how far the Rivers International Film Festival has grown in spotlighting indigenous creativity and global collaboration.
“Through these films, we are celebrating the strength and resilience of our roots, telling authentic African stories, and positioning Rivers State as a creative and cultural powerhouse.”
Also speaking, the Festival Coordinator and Rivers State Chairman of the Actors’ Guild of Nigeria (AGN), Emmanuel Osunwa, said the theme for 2025 edition underscores RIFF’s deep commitment to preserving indigenous cultures and showcasing their significance in shaping a people’s identity and existence.
He noted that the 2025 edition of the festival represents a major leap from previous editions, emphasizing that RIFF holds immense potential to drive economic growth in Rivers State and the Niger Delta, in terms of creating jobs, and promoting the region’s rich cultural heritage on the global stage.
