IIFF Gears Up for Landmark Fifth Version with Olubadan Go to

The Ibadan Worldwide Movie Competition (IIFF) has intensified preparations for its landmark fifth version with a courtesy go to to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, reaffirming its dedication to cultural heritage, storytelling, and international artistic alternate.

A delegation of the pageant’s organisers, led by Convener Usman Olarotimi “Blackky” Ogunlade, paid a proper go to to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Akanmu Ladoja, the forty fourth Olubadan of Ibadanland, to temporary the revered monarch on plans for the forthcoming version scheduled for September 2026.

The go to was geared toward searching for royal blessings and strengthening ties with Ibadan’s conventional establishments as a part of the pageant’s long-term development technique. Talking throughout the engagement, Ogunlade highlighted the regular evolution of IIFF and its rising position in positioning Ibadan as an rising hub for cinema, arts, and cultural dialogue.

He described the fifth version as a serious milestone, noting that IIFF 5.0 will place renewed emphasis on African narratives, youth growth, cultural diplomacy, and worldwide collaboration, whereas remaining firmly rooted within the metropolis’s cultural heritage.

In his response, the Olubadan recommended the organisers for his or her consistency and imaginative and prescient, describing the Ibadan Worldwide Movie Competition as a laudable initiative that contributes meaningfully to cultural growth. He assured the crew of the palace’s readiness to assist the pageant and inspired steady engagement with the standard establishment every time steering or backing is required.

The monarch additionally revealed his private ardour for cinema, recalling his long-standing curiosity and involvement in filmmaking in Nigeria, and reiterated his dedication to supporting the pageant because it prepares for its fifth version.

In the meantime, the Ibadan Worldwide Movie Competition has introduced the appointment of Aloba Iyore as its new Competition Director. Iyore succeeds Babatunde Ojobaro, popularly referred to as Mister Rain, who served within the position from 2022 to 2025 and performed a key half in strengthening the pageant’s construction, visibility, and business credibility.

A filmmaker and manufacturing supervisor, Iyore is a founding member of the IIFF organising crew and beforehand served for 4 years as Head of Branding, the place he was instrumental in shaping the pageant’s id, public picture, and viewers engagement. His appointment indicators continuity and a renewed strategic focus because the pageant enters a brand new section of growth.

Describing the appointment, Convener Ogunlade mentioned Iyore is a dedicated and visionary artistic chief with a deep understanding of the pageant’s mission to advertise storytelling, creativity, and cultural alternate.

Additionally commenting, Head of Advertising and marketing and Communications, Femi Davies Alagbala, famous that the appointment represents each continuity and progress for the pageant. He added that IIFF is targeted on strengthening visibility, deepening partnerships, and increasing international participation forward of the 2026 version.

As a part of preparations for IIFF 2026, the pageant has formally opened movie submissions to filmmakers from Nigeria, Africa, and world wide. The ultimate deadline for submissions is 30 April 2026, with full tips accessible on the official web site.

With sturdy conventional backing, renewed management, and rising worldwide curiosity, the Ibadan Worldwide Movie Competition continues to consolidate its place as a number one platform for African and international cinema, firmly anchored within the cultural heritage of Ibadan.