Ibadan International Film Festival Appoints Aloba Iyore as New Festival Director, Opens Submissions for 2026 Edition
The Ibadan International Film Festival (IIFF) has announced the appointment of Aloba Iyore as its new Festival Director, marking a strategic step forward in the continued growth and positioning of the festival as a leading platform for African and global cinema.
Iyore succeeds Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly known as Mister Rain, who served as Festival Director from 2022 to 2025 and played a key role in strengthening the festival’s structure, visibility, and credibility within the creative ecosystem.
A filmmaker and production manager, Aloba Iyore is a founding member of the IIFF organising structure and has served for four years as Head of Branding, where he contributed significantly to shaping the festival’s identity, public image, and audience engagement. His appointment reflects continuity, institutional experience, and a renewed strategic focus as IIFF enters a new phase of development.
Speaking on the appointment, the Convener of the Ibadan International Film Festival, Ogunlade Usman “Blackky” Olarotimi, described Iyore as a committed and visionary creative leader with a deep understanding of the festival’s mission to promote storytelling, creativity, and cultural exchange.
Speaking on the announcement, Femi Davies Alagbala, Head of Marketing and Communications, IIFF, stated:
“The appointment of Aloba Iyore represents both continuity and progress for the Ibadan International Film Festival. Having worked closely with him over the years, we are confident in his capacity to lead with clarity, creativity, and purpose. As we move toward IIFF 5.0, our focus is on strengthening visibility, deepening partnerships, and expanding global participation. We encourage filmmakers, partners, and audiences to stay connected with us across all our platforms as we unveil exciting plans for the 2026 edition.”
As part of preparations for the 5th Edition of the Ibadan International Film Festival (IIFF 2026), the festival has officially opened film submissions to filmmakers from around the world.
🎬 Final deadline for submissions is 30 April 2026.
Submissions must be made via FilmFreeway:
Filmmakers, industry stakeholders, and members of the public are encouraged to follow all official IIFF social media platforms and visit the festival’s website