Ibadan International Film Festival Pays Courtesy Visit to the Olubadan Ahead of 5th Edition
In furtherance of preparations for the forthcoming 5th Edition of the Ibadan International Film Festival IIFF, the festival’s management team has paid a courtesy visit to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland.
The visit, led by the Convener of the Ibadan International Film Festival, Usman Olarotimi "Blackky" Ogunlade, was part of strategic stakeholder engagements aimed at strengthening traditional and cultural support for the festival as it gears up for its landmark fifth edition scheduled to hold in September 2026.
Speaking during the visit, the Convener formally informed the revered monarch of the plans for the upcoming edition and reflected on the steady growth of the festival since its inception. He noted that the Ibadan International Film Festival has evolved into an important cultural platform that showcases compelling stories from Nigeria, Africa, and across the world, while also positioning Ibadan as a thriving hub for film, arts, and creative dialogue.
Ogunlade emphasized that the fifth edition of the festival would build on past successes with renewed focus on cultural identity, youth empowerment, global collaboration, and the promotion of African narratives through cinema. He added that the courtesy visit was also to seek the royal blessings of the Olubadan and to reaffirm the festival’s respect for Ibadan’s traditional institutions and cultural heritage.
In his response, His Imperial Majesty Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja warmly welcomed the Ibadan International Film Festival delegation and commended the initiative for its consistency and positive impact. The monarch praised the festival for using film as a tool for cultural promotion, education, and international engagement, noting that such platforms are vital for preserving heritage and projecting Ibadan’s identity on the global stage.
The Olubadan offered his royal blessings to the team and encouraged them to sustain the vision of the festival, urging continued commitment to excellence, cultural values, and community inclusion as preparations intensify for the fifth edition.
Members of the IIFF team present at the visit reiterated the festival’s dedication to fostering partnerships with traditional institutions, government agencies, creative professionals, and the wider community to ensure a successful and impactful event in 2026.
The courtesy visit marks a significant milestone in the build up to IIFF 5.0, underscoring the festival’s deep cultural roots and its alignment with the traditional leadership of Ibadanland. As anticipation grows, the Ibadan International Film Festival continues to position itself as a key driver of cultural storytelling, creative exchange, and global cinema conversations from the heart of Ibadan.