June 11, 2026
Africa Comes to the Screen: A New Cultural Bridge Between Africa and Japan
A new initiative aims to bring the rich stories, creativity, and cultural diversity of Africa to Japanese audiences through the power of cinema. Scheduled for October 2026, the Africa Film Festival Japan (AFFJ) is an ambitious project that seeks to introduce African films, filmmakers, and cultural expressions to Japan while creating new opportunities for dialogue, understanding, and business exchange between the two regions. Behind the project is Yves Fa. Ephoeviga, founder of the Africa Trade & Multicultural Center (ATMC/CCMA), an organization dedicated to strengthening cultural and economic ties between Africa and Japan.
From Chef to Cultural Connector
Originally from Togo, Ephoeviga has spent much of his professional life in Japan. Trained in hospitality and culinary arts, he worked at the Belgian Embassy in Tokyo and gained experience at several renowned restaurants before opening and operating his own establishments in Tokyo. His career later expanded beyond the culinary world. After studying business management, he became increasingly involved in initiatives designed to promote African culture and business opportunities in Japan. In 2018, he established ATMC/CCMA with a long-term vision to create a platform connecting African and Japanese entrepreneurs, artists, and cultural organizations. Over the years, he has introduced African coffee products to Japan and supported African musicians, artists, and cultural activities. The film festival represents the next step in that vision.Presenting Africa Through Cinema
According to the organizers, the primary goal of AFFJ is to offer Japanese audiences a deeper understanding of Africa through authentic stories created by African filmmakers. The festival plans to showcase a selection of feature films, short films, and animated works from across the continent. Tentative selections include productions from Burkina Faso, Somalia, Ethiopia, Algeria, Senegal, Nigeria, and other African nations. By presenting stories rooted in local cultures, traditions, and contemporary realities, the festival hopes to challenge stereotypes and reveal the diversity of experiences found across Africa's 54 countries.More Than a Film Festival
What distinguishes AFFJ from many other film events is its broader vision. The organizers plan to combine film screenings with cultural performances, music, dance, fashion presentations, African cuisine, and arts-and-crafts exhibitions. The objective is to create an immersive experience that allows visitors to engage with Africa through multiple senses. The festival also aims to serve as a platform for networking between filmmakers, cultural organizations, businesses, and investors interested in emerging African markets. This combination of film, culture, and business reflects the organizers’ belief that cultural exchange can become a gateway to deeper economic cooperation.A Growing Global Film Industry
Africa's film industry has experienced remarkable growth in recent years. Nigeria's Nollywood has become one of the world's most prolific film industries, while filmmakers from countries such as Senegal, Burkina Faso, South Africa, Kenya, and Ethiopia continue to gain recognition at major international festivals. At the same time, global streaming platforms have increased international access to African storytelling, creating new audiences and opportunities for creators across the continent. Despite these developments, African cinema remains relatively underrepresented in Japan. AFFJ hopes to help bridge that gap by introducing Japanese audiences to voices and perspectives that are rarely seen on local screens.Building New Connections
The organizers are currently working to establish partnerships with African embassies, cultural institutions, media organizations, and private sector partners. Their long-term vision extends beyond a single event and seeks to foster lasting relationships between Africa and Japan through culture, creativity, and mutual understanding. For Ephoeviga, the festival is not simply about showing films. It is about creating a new space where people from different backgrounds can meet, learn from one another, and discover new possibilities for collaboration. If realized, Africa Film Festival Japan 2026 could become an important new platform for cultural exchange and a valuable window into one of the world's most dynamic and rapidly evolving creative regions.
About the Organizer
Africa Trade & Multicultural Center (ATMC/CCMA) is a Japan based organization dedicated to strengthening cultural, economic, and business ties between Africa and Japan. Through initiatives spanning trade promotion, cultural exchange, education, and international networking, the organization seeks to create new opportunities for cooperation between African nations and Japan. The Africa Film Festival Japan 2026 is one of ATMC/CCMA's flagship initiatives aimed at fostering mutual understanding through cinema, culture, and creative industries.Organizer:
Africa Trade & Multicultural Center (ATMC/CCMA)
General Architect Co., Ltd.
Executive Director: Yves Fa. Ephoeviga
Address: WIN Aoyama 531, 2-2-15 Minami Aoyama, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-0062 Japan
Contact: Email: japanatmc.ccma@gmail.com Tel: +81-80-4203-4765
Organizations, cultural institutions, media representatives, volunteers, and potential partners interested in learning more about the project are welcome to contact the organizers directly.
