The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) returned to Nigeria’s commercial capital on Sunday night, delivering a powerful celebration of African cinema that underscored the continent’s growing influence in global filmmaking.
The 21st edition of AMAA, held at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja GRA, brought together the industry’s brightest stars for a five-hour ceremony that honored achievement across 26 categories spanning acting, directing, cinematography, and technical excellence.
The evening proved particularly triumphant for Nigerian cinema, with “3 Cold Dishes” emerging as a standout winner. The multilingual thriller, co-produced by Grammy-winning Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy alongside actress Osas Ighodaro, captured both Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor for Ruby Akubueze’s compelling performance.
The film’s gripping narrative—following three women from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin who reunite years after surviving human trafficking to seek revenge on their abusers—resonated with both audiences and the six-member AMAA jury, also earning recognition for Achievement in Production Design.
Veteran actor Lateef Adedimeji delivered what many consider a career-defining performance in “Lisabi: The Uprising”, securing the coveted Best Actor in a Leading Role award. The film also took home Achievement in Make-up, demonstrating the technical prowess increasingly evident in Nollywood productions.
Tina Mba, a respected figure in Nigerian cinema, added to the nation’s haul with her Best Actress in a Supporting Role win for “The Serpent Gift”, showcasing the depth of talent in supporting performances.
While Nigeria celebrated multiple victories, South Africa’s “The Heart Is a Muscle” claimed the night’s most prestigious honor—Best Film. Director Imran Hamdulay’s debut feature proved unstoppable, sweeping four categories including Best Debut Feature Film by a Director, Achievement in Cinematography, and Achievement in Editing. The film’s technical excellence and emotional resonance marked it as a watershed moment for South African cinema.
Burkina Faso’s “Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions”, directed by Dany Kouyaté, equally impressed the academy, capturing Best Film in an African Language, Best Director, Achievement in Screenplay, and Achievement in Costume Design. The film’s success highlights the continued vitality of West African francophone cinema and its commitment to preserving indigenous narratives.
In his opening address, AMAA Chief Executive Officer Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe struck a unifying tone, emphasizing collaboration over competition as the path forward for African cinema.
“We salute Nollywood and all creatives whose accomplishments have earned African cinema international recognition,” Anyiam-Osigwe declared. “Nigeria is vital and vibrant, but her finest contribution comes when she complements the whole through collaboration, not competition.”
His words resonated throughout an evening that showcased the continent’s diversity, with winning films hailing from Kenya, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jamaica, and the diaspora communities bridging Africa with the United States, France, and Germany.
The Ebony Band opened the ceremony with an energetic performance that set the tone for an evening balancing celebration with reflection. Musical highlights included performances by Made Kuti, grandson of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, whose rendition of his grandfather’s classic “Palava” drew thunderous applause. The Rizyn Band and DJ Kenchello maintained the celebratory atmosphere throughout the lengthy proceedings.
In a theatrical interlude, veteran actor Pete Edochie portrayed a divine figure in dialogue with Tony Umez’s character seeking heavenly guidance—a performance that blended drama with the spiritual themes often present in African storytelling.
The ceremony also paused to honor industry practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025, reminding attendees of the fragility of life and the importance of preserving their legacies through continued excellence in filmmaking.
The red carpet and auditorium hosted an impressive roster of Nigerian film royalty, including Bukky Wright, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, veteran director Lancelot Imasuen, producer Jide Achufusi, and former Lagos Commissioner Uzamat Yusuf, among numerous other industry stakeholders.
As the 21st AMAA concluded, the message was clear: African cinema has transcended regional boundaries to become a force in global entertainment, driven by compelling stories, exceptional performances, and technical innovation that rivals productions anywhere in the world. With filmmakers across the continent pushing creative boundaries and international collaborations flourishing, the future of African storytelling has never looked brighter.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards in Lagos showcased the continent’s film industry reaching new heights of excellence and international recognition.
Nigerian productions dominated with “3 Cold Dishes” (co-produced by Burna Boy) winning Best Nigerian Film, while Lateef Adedimeji and Tina Mba took top acting honors.
However, the night belonged to the entire continent—South Africa’s “The Heart Is a Muscle” claimed Best Film with four awards total, and Burkina Faso’s “Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions” swept four categories including Best Director.
African cinema is no longer emerging—it has arrived. With 26 awards spanning eight countries and the diaspora, AMAA 2025 proved that collaboration across borders, not competition, is driving African storytelling to command global attention.
From human trafficking narratives to historical epics, African filmmakers are combining compelling stories with world-class technical execution, positioning the continent as a major force in international cinema.
