The Annual Film Mischief 2025 Welcomes Submissions For “Reclaiming Self”

In the quest for bold, unapologetic and diverse narratives that can breach boundaries, The Film Rats Club is welcoming submissions from filmmakers across Africa and the diaspora towards The Annual Film Mischief 2025 (TAFM) that is scheduled to run from October 8th – 30th. Film screenings will be held across Lagos and Abuja in Nigeria, Accra in Ghana, and Dar es Salaam in Tanzania—with Ibadan exempted from the list of locations for the second year in a row. 

This year’s edition, themed “Reclaiming Self”, will delve into the many layers and nuances of identity, with stories that reflect on resistance, therapy and reclamation, while projecting the African experience. This theme is a toast to personal identity and authenticity through stories that are expressive of resilience, selfhood, the journey of rediscovery, healing and empowerment. Stories from underrepresented, marginalized and misconstrued communities will also be considered. From students to first-time filmmakers and indie rebels, African filmmakers are encouraged to tell their truths on screen through submissions in a variety of genres and mediums, including shorts, features, documentaries and animations, regardless of production budget or scale. 

Since its 2022 inaugural edition in Lagos and Ibadan, The Annual Film Mischief, founded by The Film Rats Club, has brought to the audience  exotic experimental African films. Beyond the screenings, the festival features Q&A sessions with curators, round-table discussions, panel sessions and seminars, all geared towards reflecting on the status and future of African cinema. Previous editions of the festival have showcased productions such as Taiwo Egunjobi’s In Ibadan, Ebuka Njoku’s Yahoo+, Korede Azeez’s With Difficulty Comes Ease, Adekunle Blue’s Man And Masquerade, Chukwu Martin’s Oga Mike, Caroline Reuckeregili’s Black Queen Of Carnival, and the award-winning Eyimofe by Chuko and Ari Esiri. 

Established in 2017 by actor and director Martin Nwachukwu, The Film Rats Club unites approximately 150 cinephiles across Nigeria in a shared passion for quality cinema. Focused on African cinema, the club promotes exceptional filmmaking through thought leadership, including insightful critiques, reviews, articles, and essays. It also engages its community through film screenings, educational classes, and interviews with industry professionals, fostering a vibrant celebration of cinematic artistry.