Nigerian films ‘King Lotanna’ and ‘Aso Ebi Diaries’ will open and close Africuff, a Houston, Texas-based African film festival scheduled for October 24 to October 26.

Themed ‘Beyond Borders: Stories That Connect Us’, the festival, which is a hub for vibrant storytelling and cultural connection, aims to bridge cultures and unite communities through shared experiences.

It will celebrate the global strength of African narratives, which transcend geography, language and tradition to reveal humanity’s common threads.

With the opening film, ‘King Lotanna’, the drama invites the audience into a world of mysticism where heritage and modern identity converge. At the same time, ‘Aso Ebi Diaries’, the best costume winner at the Toronto International Film Festival (TINFF), celebrates family, fashion and culture that has captured hearts worldwide.

Other entries from Ethiopia, Burundi, Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Botswana, USA, and Canada will screen at the festival this year. This marks its rapid growth into one of Houston’s signature cultural events, attracting diverse audiences eager to experience the richness of African storytelling.

There will also be panel discussions, art and cultural exhibitions, and networking mixers to convene filmmakers, industry professionals and film lovers. Emerging talents from the African diaspora are given a platform to shine on the international stage via its student showcases.

The director of Africuff, Emem Isong-Misodi, said this year’s theme reflects the festival’s mission of bridging cultures and inspiring unity through the power of film. “We want audiences to see themselves in these stories – no matter where they come from.”

Each year Africuff reaffirms its place as a bridge between continents, offering audiences an immersive look into the creativity, resilience and vision of African and diaspora filmmakers.

The three-day event will be held from October 25 to 26 at the Star Cinema Grill in Richmond, Houston, Texas.