The Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) is set to honour LEADERSHIP Newspaper at the 9th edition of the festival in recognition of the newspaper’s consistent reporting, publication and promotion of KADIFF activities over the past five years.
The recognition, which forms part of the activities of the 9th Kaduna International Film Festival scheduled to hold from 25th to 29th August 2026 in Kaduna State, is aimed at celebrating media organisations that have contributed significantly to the growth and visibility of the festival and the Nigerian creative industry.
In a statement by Senior Special Assistant, Media and Communications, KADIFF, Ambrose Fadoyin, the leading newspaper has provided valuable visibility for the festival’s programs, filmmakers, industry professionals and others.
The statement read partly, “For five consecutive years, LEADERSHIP Newspaper has continued to report and publish stories on the Kaduna International Film Festival, providing valuable visibility for its programmes, filmmakers, industry professionals, workshops, screenings, partnerships and other activities.
”According to the festival organisers, the newspaper’s sustained coverage has played an important role in taking the KADIFF story beyond Kaduna, helping to connect the festival with a wider national audience and drawing attention to the importance of film, culture, tourism and the creative economy.
”The Director General of the Kaduna International Film Festival, Israel Kashim Audu, said the honour was a way of appreciating the newspaper for its commitment to documenting and amplifying the festival’s journey.
“LEADERSHIP Newspaper has been a consistent media supporter of the Kaduna International Film Festival for the past five years. Their commitment to reporting on our activities and giving the festival visibility has contributed immensely to KADIFF’s growth.
“We believe that institutions and individuals who contribute to the development of the creative industry must be recognised and celebrated. This honour is therefore our way of saying thank you to LEADERSHIP for standing with KADIFF and helping to tell our story,” he said.
Audu added that the media remains a critical partner in the development of Nigeria’s film and cultural sector, noting that festivals such as KADIFF require strong media partnerships to ensure that conversations around culture, filmmaking, tourism, and creative entrepreneurship reach a broader audience.
The 9th edition of KADIFF, themed “Cultural Renaissance,” will bring together filmmakers, actors, producers, academics, government representatives, cultural institutions, media organisations and creative industry stakeholders from Nigeria and beyond.
The festival will feature film screenings, workshops, masterclasses, panel discussions, cultural activities, industry engagements and international collaborations.
The organisers said the recognition of LEADERSHIP Newspaper is part of KADIFF’s broader commitment to celebrating individuals, organisations and institutions that have contributed to the development and promotion of Nigeria’s film and cultural ecosystem.
LEADERSHIP, which began as a weekly newspaper in 2004 before becoming a daily publication in 2006, has grown into a major Nigerian media organisation with print and digital platforms covering national affairs, politics, business, culture, entertainment and other areas of public interest.
The presentation of the recognition is expected to be one of the highlights of the 9th Kaduna International Film Festival, as KADIFF celebrates not only films and filmmakers but also the partners who have helped document its evolution over the years.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join THISTIMES on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
Join Our WhatsApp Channel


