The 2026 Rivers International Film Festival (RIFF) has opened a new chapter for the Kingdom of Bonny, repositioning the historic island as a destination for film tourism.
Organized by RIFF in partnership with the Bonny Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, the four-day festival brought together filmmakers and delegates from the United States, Israel, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Cameroon and across Nigeria to discover Bonny’s untapped historical and ecological assets.
Bonny holds two powerful histories. It was one of the most prominent slave-exporting ports in the Bight of Biafra during the transatlantic slave trade from the 15th century, with over 1.5 million people estimated to have been transported through its jetties.
It later became the heart of Nigeria’s oil and gas economy as home to the Bonny Light crude terminal and the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) plant, which began commercial production in 1999 and is today one of Africa’s largest LNG projects.
RIFF 2026 leveraged that history to showcase new tourism sites. Participants visited the landing site of Bishop Ajayi Crowther, St. Stephen’s Church, the Bonny Light coastline, and the Finima Nature Park, where they observed wildlife in their natural habitat. The festival included boat rides, beach storytelling, and fishing experiences.
Beyond screenings, RIFF provided direct community impact through free medical outreach and youth skills training in soap and cream production, filmmaking and acting.
Speaking at a panel session, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Freddy Ndigbara, said the Rivers State Government will provide the enabling environment, policy and infrastructure for tourism growth, while urging the private sector to bring investment and creativity.
“Community and sustainability must be at the centre, otherwise we will destroy the very locations we seek to sell,” he said.
Participants commended the initiative for fostering cultural exchange while calling for greater development of the sites discovered.
The Founder and Chairperson of RIFF, Kate Ezeigbo, thanked sponsors including NLNG, Airtel, Beniton, the Rivers State Government and the Bonny Chamber of Commerce for supporting the successful hosting.
The Rivers International Film Festival promotes film tourism, cultural exchange, and sustainable economic development through the creative industry.
