Africa Tells Its Own Story: Stella Okuzu on Leading the Continent’s Cinematic Renaissance

By Adonis Byemelwa

Twelve years later, Film Africa remains more than just a festival; it’s a cultural statement, a bridge between continents, and a celebration of storytelling that changes how the world views Africa. As Europe’s top showcase of African cinema, Film Africa 2025 reaches a significant milestone under the leadership of Stella Okuzu, Interim Director and CEO of the Royal African Society. In this open conversation with Pan African Visions, Okuzu reflects on the journey so far, the rising influence of African stories, and how the festival is preparing the continent’s next generation of storytellers for the global stage.

Film Africa has become Europe’s leading showcase of African cinema. What does this milestone edition mean for you personally and for the Royal African Society ?

Our Film Africa reaching this level of recognition is both deeply gratifying and powerfully demanding. Gratifying because it affirms the consistency and dedication we’ve invested over twelve editions in creating a vibrant platform for African cinematic talent. But it’s also demanding, because being at the forefront comes with responsibility, the need to continue leading, innovating, and inspiring collaboration across the industry. For the Royal African Society, it reinforces our mission to connect, amplify, and celebrate African voices in all their diversity. Personally, it’s a profound privilege. To be part of something that not only celebrates creativity but also reshapes narratives about Africa feels both humbling and momentous.

Audiences worldwide seem increasingly drawn to African stories. Why do you think now is the moment for African cinema to command such global attention ?

For generations, our stories were often filtered through external lenses or left untold altogether. Today, African filmmakers are reclaiming their narratives, telling them with authenticity, confidence, and a deep connection to our realities. That shift has been transformative. The world’s growing interest in Africa as a continent of opportunity and innovation has made our stories more relevant than ever.

Our films explore universal themes, love, resilience, hope, and identity, yet they offer fresh insight into global issues like inequality, climate change, and leadership. Technology has also broken the barriers that once confined African cinema to local audiences. Streaming platforms have made it possible for anyone, anywhere, to experience our stories. This convergence of access, artistry, and curiosity has created a perfect moment for African cinema to shine, on our own terms.

Beyond red carpets and screenings, Film Africa has built a reputation as an industry platform. How are you ensuring that filmmakers walk away with real opportunities for growth and collaboration ?

We’ve always believed that Film Africa should be as much about opportunity as it is about celebration. This year, we’re thrilled to host a Masterclass led by the legendary Kunle Afolayan, one of Africa’s most acclaimed filmmakers. The session, which takes place at BAFTA, will be an insightful conversation between Afolayan and Tendeka Matatu, Netflix’s Head of Africa Film. It will explore Kunle’s pioneering journey in shaping contemporary Nollywood, his storytelling ethos, and how his craft continues to inspire emerging voices. For young filmmakers, it’s not just an event; it’s an open door to learning, mentorship, and connection.

This year, you’re spotlighting the Democratic Republic of Congo. What excites you most about the voices and stories emerging from the DRC, and what should audiences expect ?

The DRC’s creative energy is extraordinary, vibrant, layered, and full of spirit. Too often, the country is portrayed through a narrow or conflicted lens. This year’s spotlight allows us to shift that narrative and showcase Congolese artistry in its full, dynamic form. We’re opening with The Tree of Authenticity, the debut feature by visual artist and photographer Sammy Baloji.

It’s a striking exploration of ecological and historical memory, rooted in the colonial legacy of the Yangambi INERA Research Station, once a hub of scientific discovery, now an emblem of both ruin and renewal. Alongside that, Congo RE-Vue, our free digital photo exhibition in partnership with The Africa Centre, will feature a new generation of Congolese photographers redefining how their nation is seen. Together, these works celebrate creativity, resilience, and reimagined identity, a powerful reflection of the DRC’s artistic heartbeat.

Souleymane Cissé was a towering figure in African cinema. In honoring his work this year, how do you see his legacy inspiring the next wave of African filmmakers ?

Souleymane Cissé was more than a filmmaker; he was a visionary who reshaped what African cinema could be. His film Yeelen (The Light), which won the Jury Prize at Cannes in 1987, broke barriers and announced to the world that African stories could be as poetic, profound, and universally relevant as any other. By honoring him this year, we are acknowledging not only his genius but his courage, his ability to challenge perceptions and elevate African storytelling to global artistry. His legacy reminds emerging filmmakers that cinema is not just entertainment; it’s activism, preservation, and poetry in motion. Cissé’s work continues to light the path forward, urging the next generation to be fearless in their truth and authentic in their craft.

The Royal African Society is deeply committed to amplifying African voices on the global stage. How does Film Africa help to shift perceptions and promote authentic representation ?

Film Africa is one of the most tangible expressions of the Royal African Society’s mission. It’s where African stories take centre stage, not filtered or reinterpreted, but told as they are, by those who live them. Through the films we curate, audiences encounter Africa’s everyday realities, our humour, creativity, innovation, and humanity. That exposure challenges stereotypes and fosters a deeper understanding of who we are. Authentic representation means giving space to all facets of African life, and that’s what Film Africa does best: it reminds the world that Africa is not a monolith but a mosaic of voices, ideas, and dreams.

Looking ahead, where do you see African cinema in the global storytelling ecosystem ten years from now, and how is Film Africa preparing for that future ?

A decade from now, I see African cinema standing confidently as part of the global mainstream, not as a niche or novelty, but as an essential voice in shaping world culture. The shared human experience that binds us is being expressed more vividly through our films, and that will only grow stronger. Storytelling is one of humanity’s oldest forms of power. For Africa, it’s becoming a force that drives not just cultural but also social and economic transformation.

 The global challenges we all face, inequality, climate change, and governance, are the same themes our filmmakers are tackling with passion and creativity. At Film Africa, we’re nurturing this momentum. The inclusion of works like My Father’s Shadow by British-Nigerian Akinola Davies Jr., the UK’s official entry for Best International Feature at the 2026 Oscars, shows just how far African cinema has come and where it’s heading. African stories are no longer waiting to be discovered; they are redefining the world’s imagination.