Freedom Way. The film, which recently won ‘Best Movie’ and ‘Best Writing’ at the AMVCA 2025, launches a month-long celebration of African and diasporic cinema across New York City.
By Abioye Damilare Samson
Nigerian filmmaker, Afolabi Olalekan, opened the 32nd edition of the New York African Film Festival (NYAFF) on May 7 with the New York premiere of his debut feature, Freedom Way. The film, which recently won Best Movie and Best Writing at the AMVCA 2025, launches a month-long celebration of African and diasporic cinema across New York City.
Set in Lagos, Freedom Way interweaves the stories of nine characters navigating one chaotic day, from tech entrepreneurs wrestling with a collapsing economy to law enforcement officers on opposite sides of a crumbling system. After its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, the film has continued to draw acclaim for its sharp, fast-paced portrait of urban survival and social justice in contemporary Nigeria.
Now in its 32nd edition, the New York African Film Festival runs under the theme “Fluid Horizons: A Shifting Lens on a Hopeful World”, spotlighting the voices of Africa’s youth alongside veteran filmmakers who have long shaped the continent’s cinematic identity.
Audiences can expect standout entries from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, a selection of shorts from South Africa, and compelling narratives from across the African diaspora. As part of its programming, the festival will also host a free public panel titled “From Then to Now: Celebrating 15 Years of African Cinema”, offering a retrospective on the continent’s cinematic evolution.
With its mix of premieres, retrospectives, and cross-disciplinary showcases, the 2025 New York African Film Festival continues its legacy as a crucial platform for African and diasporic storytelling, making Freedom Way a fitting opening act for a month of cultural reflection and cinematic excellence.
Here’s the Festival Highlights:
- Lincoln Center: May 7 – 13
- Maysles Documentary Center: May 15 – 18
- Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Brooklyn: May 23 – 29
- St. Nicholas Park – Outdoor Screening: May 31