The Quiet’ to Premiere as AFFIF 2026 Closing Film, Calls Nigerians to Confront Insecurity

Nigerian film series THE QUIET, which explores insecurity, kidnapping and the dangers of public indifference, is set to make its world premiere on Friday, October 30, 2026, as the closing film of the 5th Africa Films for Impact Festival (AFFIF 2026) at Silverbird Cinema, near the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

The red carpet will open at 2:00 p.m., while the main event is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

Created by filmmaker Bright Wonder Obasi and produced by High Definition Film Academy (HDFA), *THE QUIET* is a four-part series that examines Nigeria’s security challenges through a story centred on the abduction of 67 children.

The film explores how repeated incidents of violence and kidnapping can gradually become accepted as part of everyday life, raising questions about public indifference, institutional accountability and society’s collective responsibility to protect vulnerable people.

Through the experiences of families, journalists, security personnel, public officials and ordinary citizens, the series highlights the human cost of insecurity and the consequences of remaining silent in the face of recurring tragedies.

At the heart of the story is a troubling question: What happens to a society when it becomes so accustomed to suffering that it begins to accept it as normal?

‘THE QUIET’ to Spark Conversation on Insecurity

Following the screening, organisers will host a post-screening discussion titled “BREAK THE QUIET: From Outrage to Action — What Must Nigerians Do?”

The session will bring together representatives from diplomacy, filmmaking, international development, government, civil society and the creative industry to discuss practical ways of addressing insecurity and encouraging sustained public engagement.

Key areas of discussion will include citizens’ responsibilities, institutional accountability, community safety, the protection of vulnerable people, responsible media engagement and practical measures for building safer communities.

The conversation aims to move beyond public condemnation of security challenges and encourage individuals, communities, institutions and leaders to reflect on the actions needed to prevent further suffering.

The premiere programme will feature keynote addresses by the Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to Nigeria and ECOWAS, as well as veteran Nigerian filmmaker Steve Gukas.

Other invited guests include representatives of the Embassy of Italy in Nigeria, the Norwegian Embassy and Plan International, alongside officials from other diplomatic missions, international organisations, government agencies and development institutions.

Filmmakers, media professionals, civil society representatives and film enthusiasts are also expected to participate in the event.

Their involvement is intended to broaden the conversation about the human consequences of insecurity and the shared responsibility to protect lives, strengthen communities and promote peace.

Filmmaker Seeks to Turn Awareness into Action

For the filmmakers, the world premiere is intended to mark the beginning of a wider social impact campaign rather than the conclusion of the project.

Through impact screenings, engagements with universities and schools, community discussions and partnerships with relevant institutions, the initiative seeks to take the film’s message beyond the cinema.

The campaign aims to challenge the normalisation of insecurity and suffering, encourage sustained civic participation and inspire Nigerians to translate concern into responsible action within their communities.

Speaking about the motivation behind the project, Obasi said society risks becoming increasingly indifferent to tragedies that should continue to provoke concern and action.

“We have become very good at reacting to tragedy. We mourn, express outrage, demand answers, and then another headline comes along. Somewhere along the way, we risk becoming accustomed to things that should never be normal. We gradually begin to lose our humanity,” he said.

Obasi explained that the series was created to encourage Nigerians to look beyond individual incidents and consider the broader effects of repeated suffering on society.

“THE QUIET asks us to look beyond the tragedy and examine what repeated suffering is doing to us as a people. We did not make this film because we believe a film alone can solve Nigeria’s insecurity. We made it because stories can confront uncomfortable truths, bring people into difficult conversations, and challenge us to think differently about our responsibility to one another.

“The premiere is not the destination. It is the beginning of a conversation—and hopefully, a movement,” he added.

Three Calls at the Heart of the Campaign

The initiative is built around three central messages designed to encourage public awareness and meaningful participation.

BREAK THE QUIET: Challenge the normalisation of suffering and refuse to look away from the realities of insecurity.

BUILD THE PEACE: Transform concern into constructive action that contributes to safer communities.

REMEMBER THEIR NAMES: Ensure that victims are not reduced to forgotten statistics or lost in the cycle of recurring headlines.

Together, the messages reflect the campaign’s emphasis on remembering victims, questioning public indifference and encouraging collective responsibility.

About ‘THE QUIET’ and AFFIF 2026

THE QUIET is a four-part Nigerian film series created by Bright Wonder Obasi and produced by High Definition Film Academy. Through a story centred on the abduction of 67 children, the series examines insecurity, public indifference, institutional responsibility and the possibility of change when ordinary people refuse to look away.

The Africa Films for Impact Festival, an initiative of Films For Impact Foundation, uses storytelling to promote dialogue, civic engagement and social transformation.

The 2026 edition will take place in Abuja from October 28 to 30 under the theme “Reimagine Africa: Storytelling for Transformation.”

The selection of THE QUIET as the festival’s closing film aligns with the festival’s focus on stories that confront pressing social challenges and encourage meaningful public engagement.

Premiere Details

– Film: THE QUIET — World Premiere
– Occasion: Closing Film, AFFIF 2026
– Date: Friday, October 30, 2026
– Venue: Silverbird Cinema, near the Yar’Adua Centre, Abuja
– *Red carpet: 2:00 p.m.
– Main event: 3:00 p.m.
– Post-screening discussion: “BREAK THE QUIET: From Outrage to Action — What Must Nigerians Do?”

Media representatives, diplomatic missions, international organisations, government institutions, civil society groups, filmmakers and members of the public are invited to attend the premiere and participate in the discussion.

As the organisers seek to turn the film into a broader platform for public engagement, the message behind the project remains clear: the end of the screening should mark the beginning of a conversation about what Nigerians can do to build safer communities.

The film ends. The conversation begins.

Watch the official trailer:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/11gO_Ft43Kv3Ax_E5Co2ocqk3fpn6Oxtt/view?usp=sharing

Watch the official teaser:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Jswt7hqVgAcKMrXjOdUvs7wmG2HxHdhD/view?usp=sharing

BREAK THE QUIET. BUILD THE PEACE. REMEMBER THEIR NAMES.

Media Contact:
Bright Wonder Obasi
Creator, THE QUIET | High Definition Film Academy
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +234 803 576 5357