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Launch of Africa Environmental Film Festival in Nairobi Brings Science, Film and Storytelling to Center Stage

  • 5 days ago
  • 3 min read

Photo by Felix Odhiambo/CIFOR-ICRAF


Nairobi, Kenya, March 12, 2026 — Scientists, filmmakers, environmental partners and cultural leaders gathered today in Nairobi for the partner launch of the Africa Environmental Film Festival (AEFF), a new science-based environmental film platform that will bring African environmental stories to global audiences. 

The initiative is being developed through a partnership between the British Columbia Environmental Film Festival (BCEFF) and Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). Building on the scientific reputation of CIFOR – ICRAF and BCEFF’s established film festival model, AEFF seeks to connect environmental science with the power of film and storytelling. 

Hosted at the CIFOR-ICRAF Campus, the launch event introduced the vision for the festival, which is planned for its inaugural edition in 2027. Together, both organizations share a five-year ambition: to unite creatives, scientists, donors, governments, private sector leaders, and communities around environmental action through film. 

Dr. Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF), highlighted the importance of connecting research with creative storytelling. “The Africa Environmental Film Festival is an ambitious new platform where science, story, and society come together with purpose. It connects research to lived experience, African realities to global audiences, and environmental urgency to the human stories that can move people from awareness to action.” 

Pezhman Hadavi, founder of the British Columbia Environmental Film Festival, emphasized the role of film in making environmental science accessible to broader audiences.  “Environmental storytelling has the power to connect people to science in ways that data alone cannot. Through the Africa Environmental Film Festival, we hope to create a platform where filmmakers, scientists and communities come together to share stories that inspire understanding, dialogue and action.” 

The launch event brought together representatives from embassies, government institutions, donors and the private sector, alongside Kenyan filmmakers and creative professionals. By creating a platform grounded in African perspectives and global connections, AEFF aims to amplify the voices of filmmakers documenting environmental change and community-led solutions across the continent. 

 Participants explored opportunities for collaboration and discussed how film can support environmental dialogue on climate change, biodiversity, land use, and people’s relationships with nature. 

“What gives this initiative its strength is a belief we hold deeply; Africa’s environmental stories deserve to be told with depth, authority, dignity, and creative power.”  added Dr. Ubalijoro. “This festival creates space for those stories to be told more fully and more truthfully. And it does so in a way that is distinctive. Because the Africa Environmental Film Festival is rooted in both creativity and scientific integrity. 

Organizers emphasized that the festival will not only showcase films but serve as a space for collaboration between scientists and storytellers, helping translate research into narratives that reach wider audiences and inspire engagement. 

The Africa Environmental Film Festival is expected to launch its first full festival edition in 2027. 

About AEFF 

The Africa Environmental Film Festival is a science-based environmental film platform created through a partnership between the British Columbia Environmental Film Festival and Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF). The festival aims to bring together creatives, scientists, and decision-makers to advance environmental dialogue and action through storytelling. 

About CIFOR-ICRAF 

Center for International Forestry Research – World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) is a global research organization working to advance solutions for forests, trees and people to address climate change, biodiversity loss and sustainable development. 

About BCEFF 

The British Columbia Environmental Film Festival (BCEFF) is a registered non-profit organization and charity based in British Columbia, Canada. Founded by filmmaker Pezhman Hadavi and oceanographer Jennifer Jackson, BCEFF was created to bridge science and cinema in the service of our planet. 

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