About PAUISFF 2025
Pan-Atlantic University International Student Film Festival (PAUISFF) is an annual film festival dedicated to showcasing student-produced films from around the world, offering an invaluable platform for aspiring filmmakers (students) to exhibit their films, engage with industry professionals, encourage collaboration, and gain recognition for their creative talents. Through the film festival, film students would be exposed to the imaginative efforts of their peers from around the world, and an inclusive ecosystem would be fostered to encourage collaboration among young and established filmmakers. The event also serves as an invaluable networking opportunity for student filmmakers, connecting them with professionals from the global film industry.
This year, 2025 PAUISFF, the second edition, is designed to spotlight the knowledge and skills of aspiring filmmakers, serving as a prelude to their careers in the film industry. As film students, participants are encouraged to illustrate the intersection of theory and practice, as well as the fusion of culture and creativity through their films. The theme for this year’s PAU International Student Film Festival is “Collaborative Frames: Film as Art, Science, Business, and Cultural Dialogue”, featuring a variety of activities including film screenings, workshops, masterclasses, and an award ceremony
The maiden edition, last year, was a huge success with over 550 attendees, 45 student films screened, and 13 awards given to the best in different categories. Building on last year’s success, which primarily featured films from Nigeria, this year, we have expanded the festival to include international participation, and the response has been overwhelming.
So far, we have received over 300 student film submissions from more than 60 countries, participating across various categories:
Short Films – 64.7%
Documentaries – 18%
Animations – 15.8%
Music Videos – 1.5%
The festival activities include the opening ceremony, film screenings, workshops, masterclasses, interactive sessions, film industry forum, and the culminating award night. Student films from different continents would be screened each day of the festival, and the award night would happen on the final day.
During this year’s film festival, we will initiate the China-Africa Film Collaboration project, Film Production AI-driven tools for the film students and the film industry professionals, and the inauguration of the PAUISFF Advisory Board.
Our lead jury for this year is Ema Edosio Deelen, the Creative Director and founder at Citygates Films, with over 7 years of experience bringing authentic African stories to life.
Other jury members are: Mr. Muyiwa Ojo (UK), Ms. Ihunmehai Isaac (U.S.A.), Mr. Soji Ogunnaike (Nigeria) and Ms. Queen Modestus (China), offering their expertise in choosing the best of the best films.