ABUJA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL IS 23: I WILL BRING BACK THE TINAPA FILM FESTIVAL – FIDELIS DUKER
The Founder of the Abuja International Film Festival (AIFF), Mr. Fidelis Duker, has said that the AIFF, now in its 23rd year as the longest-running film festival in Anglophone West Africa, has inspired the growth of several other film festivals and awards in Nigeria.
Mr. Duker disclosed that after nearly 20 years, he is set to relaunch the Tinapa Film Festival, with the strategic objective of leveraging his experience and global network to grow the film industry and creative economy in Cross River State.
The pioneer Cross River-born filmmaker stated this in Calabar on Friday, 18th September 2026, during an interactive session with young creatives at the Creative Exchange Week; Voices of Influence, organized by Braideye Productions in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Education.
Recounting his journey, Mr. Duker said his inspiration to establish AIFF came after attending the Cannes Film Festival in France. He noted that following the inaugural edition of AIFF, he received a call in 2006 from Her Excellency, Mrs. Onari Duke, inviting him to partner with Cross River State Government to host the maiden Tinapa Film Festival in March 2007.
Nearly two decades after, Mr. Duker said the iconic festival is set to return to Calabar, the clean and green tourism capital of Nigeria. He stressed the need for deliberate efforts to develop the state’s film industry, adding that he is ready to give back by deploying his wealth of experience and extensive industry contacts, both nationally and globally.
According to him, it is time for Cross River State to reclaim its rightful place in Nigeria’s creative economy. He observed that despite 20 years of Carnival Calabar and Calabar Festival, the growth of the creative sector has remained minimal due to lack of intentionality in translating investments in the carnival into opportunities that project Cross River talents to national and international prominence.
He pledged to collaborate with other passionate stakeholders to reposition the sector, noting that the next 20 years of Carnival Calabar must produce homegrown national and global stars – “From Calabar to the World.”
Mr. Duker called on all stakeholders to join hands to build the sector, asserting that no other sub-national in Nigeria is better positioned to lead Nigeria into a new era of continental dominance in the creative revolution than Cross River State.
The event ended with a Know Yourselves session, mentorship, and a photo session. Dignitaries present included Mr. Emmanuel Etim, former Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creative Economy; Upper X of Okpo Records; Mr. Braide Opubo; Ms. Pamela Braide; and other stakeholders
