The Nairobi Film Week, officially known as the NBO Film Festival, returns for its seventh edition from October 16 to 26, 2025, promising ten days of cinematic discovery, cultural reflection, and creative exchange across the city.
The festival, now a cornerstone of East Africa’s film calendar, continues to spotlight African filmmakers while creating space for global collaboration and conversation.
This year’s edition unfolds under the theme “Memory and Imagination,” reflecting the festival’s focus on storytelling that explores identity, heritage, and transformation.
More than 26 films from over 15 countries are set to screen at multiple venues, including Prestige Cinema on Ngong Road, Kaloleni Social Hall, Docubox at Shalom House, and Unseen Nairobi in Kilimani — each selected to capture the city’s diverse cultural heartbeat.
Founded in 2016 by filmmaker Mbithi Masya and producer Sheba Hirst, the NBO Film Festival was born from a desire to create a local platform that connects African stories with audiences at home and abroad.
What began as a modest showcase has evolved into a major cultural gathering that draws filmmakers, producers, critics, and film enthusiasts from across the continent.
The festival will open with How to Build a Library, a feature documentary by award-winning duo Maia Lekow and Christopher King.
The film chronicles the restoration of Nairobi’s historic McMillan Memorial Library, blending architectural history, memory, and social justice into a cinematic ode to the city’s cultural evolution.
Beyond Kenya, the 2025 lineup includes films from South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Tunisia, France, and Brazil, among others.
From intimate personal narratives to sweeping political dramas, the selection mirrors the complexity and dynamism of contemporary African cinema.
For the first time, the festival introduces a formal In-Competition section, where a panel of regional and international jurors will evaluate films across categories such as Best Feature, Best Documentary, and Best Short Film.
The move signals Nairobi’s growing confidence as a serious player in the global film festival circuit.
Alongside film screenings, the Nairobi Film Week will host industry workshops, masterclasses, and networking events aimed at empowering young filmmakers. Topics include digital distribution, film financing, sound design, and script development — with participation from industry experts from across Africa and Europe.
The NBO Talks segment, a festival staple, will feature open dialogues on emerging trends in film, from the impact of artificial intelligence in production to the future of African co-productions.
This year’s program also expands its Student Film Showcase, giving young Kenyan creatives a platform to present their first works on the big screen.
While it draws international attention, the festival’s heart remains firmly in Nairobi’s communities. Screenings at local halls like Kaloleni Social Hall emphasizes the organisers’ commitment to accessibility.
The inclusion of outdoor and community screenings reflects an ongoing push to democratize film consumption — ensuring that cinema becomes part of everyday life rather than an exclusive urban experience.