On Sunday, November 9, 2025, the board of the Africa Film Academy (AFA), the organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, held the 21st edition of the continental awards ceremony amidst pomp and glee at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, GRA, Lagos.
The five-hour-long awards ceremony kicked off with a performance by the Eboni band and ended with so much joy and happiness for African film practitioners who were winners and nominees alike.
The event also had a short stage drama with Pete Edochie adorning the role of god and Tony Umez, a Nigerian making inquiries.
AMAA Chief Executive Officer, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe took over with the opening speech after which six members of the jury looking well dressed were called on the stage to hand over the list of 26 winners.
In his speech, Anyiam-Osigwe hailed Nigerian and African film practitioners saying their accomplishments have propelled African cinema to international recognition.
“We salute Nollywood, its stars, and all the creatives who have contributed to its phenomenal success. Your accomplishments have propelled African cinema to international recognition, and AMAA honors your industry, your talent, and your contributions.
“But as remarkable as Nigeria’s film industry is, we are reminded of a popular African adage that says a tree does not make a forest. Nigeria is a vital and vibrant member of our continent, but her finest contribution comes when she complements the whole when African nations rise together, through collaboration, not competition,” Anyiam-Osigwe said.
Not long after the CEO’s speech and receipt of the award winners for the night, the Rizyn Band took over the stage to thrill the 300 guests that attended the awards ceremony.
A total of 26 awards were won by African film practitioners that include actors, cinematographers, producers, costumiers, light operators and more.
Some of the biggest winners of the memorable night include Nigeria’s Lateef Adedimeji, Tina Mba, 3 Cold Dishes which won in different categories.
The first set of awards began rolling in after which a solemn moment to honour the departed practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025.
Other sets of awards rolled in before Made Kuti mounted the stage for his performance.
Made Kuti’s performance lit up the stage and took guests back in memory lane with the rendition of one of his grandfather’s hits, Palava. The performance elicited joy and cheers from the audience and guests.
Several film practitioners, nominees and government functionaries were present at the event which ended with a sterling performance by DJ Kenchello.
Guests in attendance include Jide Kene Achufusi, Bukky Wright, Lagos ex-commissioner Uzamat Akinbile Yusuf, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Lancelot Imasuen, and Tony Umez amongst many others.
AMAA 2025 Winners full list
Best Film: The Heart is a Muscle – South Africa
Best Film in an African Language: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions (Burkina Faso)
Eferé Ozako Award for Best Short Film: The Missing Piece (Kenya)
Jubril Malafia Award for Best Animation: Dawn (Cameroun)
Best Documentary: The Journey East (DRC)
Best Diaspora Short: Cartes (USA)
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African Living Abroad: Ancestral Visions of the Future (Lesotho/France/Germany)
Achievement in Costume Design: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions
Achievement in Sound: Algiers
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions -B/Faso
Best Diaspora Short: Superman Doesn’t steal – USA
Best Diaspora Documentary: Rediscovering Fenon – USA/Algeria/Martinique
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature: Romeo N Juliet 4EVA – Jamaica
Award for Achievement in Production Design: Cold Dishes
Achievement In Costume Design: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions
Award for Achievement In Make-up: Lisabi: The Uprising
Award for Achievement In Soundtrack: Old Righteous Blues
Award for Achievement In Visual Effects: For Land, For Love, For Power
Award for Achievement In Sound: Algiers
Award for Achievement In Cinematography: The Heart is a muscle
Award for Achievement In Editing: The Heart is a Muscle
Award for Achievement In Screenplay: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions -B/Faso
NFVCB Award for Best Nigerian Film: 3 Cold Dishes
Award for Best Young/ Promising Actor: Ruby Akubueze – 3 Cold Dishes
Award For Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clemento Ashietey – Last Stop
Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Tina Mba – The Serpent Gift
Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role: Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role: Florence Mariserena – Small gods
Award for Best Debut Feature Film by a Director: The Heart is a Muscle – Imran Hamdulay
Award for Best Director: Dany Kouyate – Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions -B/Faso
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