When & Where: 9 days to Go, SVAFF 2025 Official Screening Schedules Announced
- Siona Sakah
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Only 9 days to go before San Jose transforms into the beating heart of African cinema! The Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF 2025) is rolling out a dazzling showcase of films, red carpets, live performances, and cultural celebrations. With the official screening schedule finally unveiled, festival-goers and virtual fans can start mapping out their journey through three days of pure storytelling bliss.
From red carpets to fashion shows, from powerful shorts to unforgettable features, this three-day celebration is packed with cinematic gems from across Africa and the Diaspora. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Friday, October 10 – Opening Day
9:30 AM – Student Program: Inspiring short films + youth dialogue.
3:00 PM & 4:40 PM – Screenings: Fresh voices from Zimbabwe, Uganda, Kenya, Sudan, Nigeria, and more.
5:30 PM – Opening Ceremonies: Red carpet, live performances, food, drinks, libation, and cultural flair.
8:00 PM – Opening Night Films: Wrong Address (USA) and The Fisherman (Ghana) + filmmaker talkback.
11:00 PM – Opening Night Social: The vibes continue late into the night.
Saturday, October 11 – Festival in Full Swing
11:00 AM – Global Short Films: From Kenya, Egypt, Brazil, Benin, and beyond.
12:00 PM – Midday Spotlight: Lights Out (Cameroon), Kimote (Uganda), Megnot – Two Hearts (Ethiopia).
2:00 PM – Centerpiece Program: Townhall conversations with From Rodeo to Polo and Beyond the Headlines.
4:00 PM – Fashion Show: Step outside and catch African creativity strutting the runway.
5:10 PM – Evening Features: From Nigeria’s Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí to Botswana’s 58 Years Later, plus Osamede (Nigeria) and Lottery Love (South Africa).
7:00 PM – Must-Sees: Omotola Jalade Ekeinde’s Mother’s Love alongside Soft Love, In Her Shoes, and more.
9:00 PM – Night Owls: Beware! (Mali), a film called black: King’s Speech (USA), Blinded By The Lights (Ghana), Will The Sun Rise? (Sudan).
Sunday, October 12 – Closing Day
11:30 AM – Morning Showcase: Unfinished Business: Sunshine Anderson Documentary (USA), Ghetto Mama (Uganda), My Distress (Côte d’Ivoire).
1:00 PM & 2:00 PM – Afternoon Sessions: Heartfelt narratives from Kenya, Sudan, South Africa, Congo DRC, and more.
3:30 PM – Final Screenings: ?Enough! (USA), Children of Diaspora (France), Dear Lia (Madagascar), Unspoken (Kenya), and more surprises.
6:00 PM – Awards Night & Closing Ceremony: Hammer Theatre, San Jose — the grand finale of SVAFF 2025.
SVAFF 2025 isn’t just a film festival, it’s a celebration of identity, culture, and creativity. With over 100 films from 25+ countries, live performances, fashion, and filmmaker conversations, it’s the kind of weekend that stays with you long after the credits roll.
The countdown is ticking, the red carpet is waiting, and the screens are ready to shine. The Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2025 is more than a weekend, it’s a movement. Join us October 10–12 and be part of the story.
