The Surreal16 Collective, inspired by the Dogme 95 movement, emerged in response to Nigeria's cinema landscape dominated by slapstick comedies and melodramas. Their mission, articulated through a manifesto of sixteen rules, aims to diversify Nigerian cinema by encouraging genres like Fantasy, Science Fiction, Horror, and Crime, alongside promoting artistically minded films. They seek to emulate the socially conscious arthouse fare of the Taiwanese new wave, advocating for experimentation and pushing boundaries to redefine Nigerian cinema's identity. Surrealism plays a central role in their vision, challenging conventions and advocating for unique voices in filmmaking, signaling a call to arms for cinephiles and filmmakers alike to join their cause in shaping a new cinematic landscape.

the collective was founded in 2016 by Mike Omonua, C.J Obasi & Abba T. Makama

S16 Film Festival is a platform that celebrates cinema as an art form and promotes new African and World cinematic voices. S16 is an alternative to mainstream Nollywood. 

S16 Film Festival is a curated art house film festival for African indie filmmakers from all over the world, Founded by The Surreal 16 Collective in collaboration with A Whitespace Creative Agency, Fatherland, and OAK Media.

Supported by the Embassy of the Netherlands & The French Embassy.