BIFIF 2025: Badagry International Film Festival Hosts, Honors Tunde Kelani Ahead of Film Extravaganza

By Peter Dansu  The seaside town of Badagry, last weekend was aglow with history, culture, and cinema as the Badagry International Film Fes...

By Peter Dansu 

The seaside town of Badagry, last weekend was aglow with history, culture, and cinema as the Badagry International Film Festival (BIFIF) opened its third edition with a special pre-festival event tagged “Celebrating An Icon.” The gathering, held at the historic Vlekete Slave Market, paid a befitting tribute to the legendary filmmaker, Tunde Kelani (fondly called TK), whose works remain pillars of African storytelling.

The event, which drew the crème of Nigeria’s creative industry, set the perfect tone for this year’s festival. Guests were welcomed to a red-carpet reception that brought together cultural icons, emerging filmmakers, and lovers of cinema. Notable attendees included music icon Yinka Davies, actors Moses Ipadeola, Medeyonmi Akran, Yommie Suenu, Dr. Michael Akande, Yomi Ajose, Awesu Gafuru, Temi Hassan, Mautin Akande, Alabi Henry, and Senami Viyon-Awhanse. Cultural ambassador Abeyon Asokere also graced the evening, while the royal presence of Aholu Akran’s prince and princess, alongside community leaders, gave the night a regal feel.

To connect the event with Badagry’s historical legacy, Dolapo, a tourism officer, led guests on a short tour to key landmarks — the First Story Building in Nigeria and the Badagry Slave Trade Museum. This immersive journey provided a deep sense of place, blending memory with creativity as the town stood as a backdrop for celebrating African cinema.

The highlight of the night was the cultural welcome staged for Tunde Kelani. Abeyon Asokere and the Iragon Cultural Dancers Group electrified the atmosphere with energetic performances. But it was the spontaneous moment when Yinka Davies pulled TK into an Ogu (Egun) traditional dance that brought the audience to its feet in thunderous applause — a symbolic merging of art, culture, and joy.

The official program began with a warm address from BIFIF Founder and Festival Director, Viyon Awhanse, followed by a moving tribute to TK’s enduring legacy. Senami Layormichanter’s poetic oriki (praise chant) to Kelani drew emotional cheers, underscoring his profound impact on generations of filmmakers and storytellers.

Guests were then treated to a special screening of TK’s celebrated work “Dazzling Mirage.” The film’s gripping exploration of health struggles, romance, and resilience captivated the audience, leaving many in tears. Discussions that followed highlighted not only Kelani’s artistry but also the timeless relevance of his work.

During a live conversation session, Kelani reflected on his journey, offering wisdom that resonated with everyone present. He spoke about humility, resilience, and the pursuit of excellence — values that have defined his career. Off stage, TK mingled easily, sampling Badagry delicacies such as adoyo and apran, further endearing himself to the community.

The evening closed on a heartfelt note as Viyon Awhanse and Yinka Davies presented TK with a finely crafted pencil portrait by young artist Mubarak. In her vote of thanks, BIFIF’s Media Director, Mrs. Mawuyon Ogun, expressed gratitude to attendees, sponsors, and cultural partners for supporting the festival’s vision of nurturing African creativity.

For Atiku Kamal, a budding artist in attendance, the significance of such events could not be overstated.

“Since many of our people don’t always get the chance to travel out, events like this bring the world to Badagry. It would be great if we continue to host experts from different professions here,” he noted.

 Viyon Awhanse: The Visionary Behind BIFIF

At the heart of the festival’s success is its Founder and Director, Viyon Awhanse, a Badagry-born filmmaker and cultural advocate whose work has been instrumental in promoting African cinema on both local and international stages.

Born on January 20, 1980, into the Ewetan Awhanse family of Badagry, Viyon’s journey has been marked by a deep sense of community responsibility. In 2005, he founded the My Badagry My Future foundation, raising funds to support out-of-school children. Now 45 years old, his dedication has grown into a global mission of using cinema as a tool for education, advocacy, and social change.

A seasoned producer, director, and fixer, Viyon has lent his expertise to numerous projects. His executive production of the multilingual series “Sebla” (now streaming on Showmax) boldly tackles sensitive issues like child abuse and trafficking. He has also worked on international productions, serving as a fixer and location manager for acclaimed works such as Jemeji for Mnet Africa Magic, Netflix’s Madam The Origin, and the Cannes-selected My Father’s Shadows.

Under his leadership, BIFIF has blossomed into a hub for collaboration, attracting African filmmakers, cultural ambassadors, and global partners. His vision has transformed the festival into a platform not just for film screenings, but also for masterclasses, networking sessions, producer & writer residencies, and awards celebrating Africa’s brightest talents.

With BIFIF, Viyon continues to champion cinema as a tool for cultural exchange, storytelling, and empowerment — firmly placing Badagry on the map of global film destinations.

With such a powerful pre-festival celebration honoring Tunde Kelani, excitement is already building for the main festival days ahead. Badagry is set to host screenings of groundbreaking films, interactive masterclasses, and award ceremonies that will celebrate the resilience and creativity of African storytellers.

For a town steeped in history and culture, the Badagry International Film Festival is fast becoming more than an event — it is a movement, a renaissance, and a reminder that African stories belong on the world stage.