RIFF Unveils Hilda Dokubo, Others as International Jury for 2026 Edition

The Organizing Committee of the Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) has unveiled Nollywood veteran Hilda Dokubo and other international film personalities as members of the RIFF 2026 International Jury.

The 4th edition, themed “FILM TOURISM – A Pathway to Economic Development,” will hold from October 29th to November 1st, 2026.

In a statement on Sunday, the Public Relations Officer, Blessing Ezeigbo, noted that the 2026 edition has recorded an unprecedented milestone with 3,021 film submissions from over 180 countries across the globe.

Ezeigbo said the record reaffirms RIFF’s growing reputation as one of Africa’s leading emerging international film platforms and a meeting point for global cinematic excellence.

According to the statement, the jury has been entrusted with the important responsibility of evaluating and selecting the finest works from this remarkable pool of global storytelling. The panel comprises accomplished filmmakers, scholars, critics, producers, and industry leaders representing Africa, North America, and beyond.

The RIFF 2026 International Jury includes, Head of Jury, Endy Ojo Abanonkhua (Nigeria)
Assistant Head of Jury, Frank Kwesi Hemans (South Africa)

Members include,
Hilda Dokubo (Nigeria), Notable Nollywood actress
Moses Matanda (Zimbabwe),Ian Evance (Malawi) Eric Stephenson (Nigeria) Frank Fiifi Gharbin (Ghana) Maryann Ibeziako (United States of America) Tawanda Sarireni (Zimbabwe) and
Marc Adebesin (Nigeria)

Ezeigbo described the jury as a reflection of the diversity, expertise, and international outlook that define the Rivers International Film Festival.
She added that their collective experience across filmmaking, criticism, production, academia, distribution, and cultural exchange will ensure a transparent, credible, and world-class adjudication process.

“As RIFF embraces the theme ‘Film Tourism – A Pathway to Economic Development,’ the festival seeks to demonstrate the transformative power of cinema as a driver of tourism, cultural diplomacy, investment attraction, job creation, and destination branding,” she said.

“Film festivals have increasingly become catalysts for local economies by attracting filmmakers, tourists, investors, and creative entrepreneurs to host cities and regions,” she noted.

Ezeigbo further explained that the presence of these distinguished international jurors strengthens RIFF’s vision of positioning Rivers State and Nigeria as premier destinations for film production, cultural exchange, and creative tourism.

She extended the festival’s appreciation to the outstanding professionals for accepting to serve and contribute to the continued growth of the festival and the African creative economy.

“As the countdown begins to RIFF 2026, which holds from October 29th to November 1st, 2026, the world now turns its attention to Port Harcourt, Nigeria’s Garden City, where cinema, culture, tourism, and economic opportunity will converge on one global stage,” she concluded.