Global soccer converges with African film as The African Film Festival makes its 11th annual return to Dallas

The official FIFA 2026 Football World Cup ball was on display during the tournament draw at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025, as captured by photographer Mandel NGAN.

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Benjamin Njoku reports that the African Film Festival and the FIFA World Cup are poised to converge in Dallas, marking a historic celebration of African cinema, football, and culture.

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The 11th edition of TAFF, dubbed “The World Cup of African Films,” is scheduled to take place from June 18–20, 2026, at The Royal Palace in Addison, Dallas, Texas, coinciding with the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the United States.

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This rare convergence of African identity expressions, football and storytelling, will bring together African football fans and movie lovers under one roof to experience the breadth and brilliance of African cinema.

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Kelechi Eke, founder of the festival, expressed his vision for creating a space to showcase and celebrate authentically told African stories, now validated by the presence of filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora.

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As the world focuses on the U.S. for the FIFA World Cup 2026, Dallas becomes a meeting point for African nations, supporters, and storytellers, with TAFF 2026 blending film screenings with live World Cup match showings.

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According to Eke, TAFF 2026 will be a cultural destination and a home away from home for the African community and friends of Africa, whether they are supporting their country or attending film screenings.

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TAFF has established itself as the most prestigious platform for African cinema in the diaspora, featuring film screenings, masterclasses, networking events, panel discussions, an arts showcase, and a grand awards ceremony.

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The 11th edition will screen 26 selected films, including narrative features, documentary features, narrative shorts, and documentary shorts, from countries such as Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, and the United States, due to scheduling around World Cup games.

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Some of the selected films include Nigeria’s documentary feature “Journey to Igbo Civilization” directed by Oluchukwu Iheonunekwu, and Uganda’s narrative feature “Adui” directed by Ayeny T. Steve, among others.

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Founded in 2015 by award-winning filmmaker and software engineer Engr. Kelechi Eke, TAFF aims to mentor underserved aspiring filmmakers of African descent and promote African culture through motion pictures and arts.

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For over a decade, the festival has served as a Dallas premiere for films and arts by local and international independent filmmakers, creating bridges between continental African filmmaking and global audiences.

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TAFF is listed with the Texas Film Commission, Dallas Film Commission, and the City of Dallas Arts District, with selected films catalogued at institutions such as Harvard, Yale, and Stanford.

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The TAFF trophy, affectionately known as “The World Cup of African Films,” is one of the most coveted honors in African independent cinema outside the continent.