Nollywood failed to assert its huge rating at the 2025 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards despite a big win by star actor and producer, Lateef Adedimeji.
While he emerged the Best Actor in a Leading Role, major crests for major categories like Best Documentary, Best Director and Best Film in the an African Language, went to other sister nations.
The 21st edition of the continental film awards took place on Sunday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, celebrating some of Africa’s finest filmmakers and actors.
Another consolation came with “3 Cold Dishes,” a multilingual thriller co-produced by Burna Boy and Osas Ighodaro, which emerged as a big winner, taking home awards for Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor for Ruby Akubueze.
Lateef Adedimeji was recognised for his outstanding performance in “Lisabi: The Uprising,” winning Best Actor in a Leading Role.
Tina Mba also shone in “The Serpent Gift,” earning Best Actress in a Supporting Role.
South Africa’s “The Heart Is a Muscle” took top honors, winning Best Film, as well as awards for Cinematography, Editing, and Best Debut Feature for director Imran Hamdulay.
Burkina Faso’s “Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions” also made a strong impression, winning Best Film in an African Language, Best Screenplay, and Best Costume Design.
The ceremony also honored African film practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025, and featured captivating musical performances.
Below is the list of winners:
NFVCB Award for Best Nigerian Film: 3 Cold Dishes
Best Young/Promising Actor: Ruby Akubueze – 3 Cold Dishes
Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clemento Ashietey – Last Stop
Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Tina Mba – The Serpent Gift
Best Actor in a Leading Role: Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Actress in a Leading Role: Florence Mariserena – Small Gods
Best Debut Feature Film by a Director: The Heart Is a Muscle – Imran Hamdulay
Best Director: Dany Kouyaté – Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso
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
Best Diaspora Documentary: Rediscovering Fenon – USA/Algeria/Martinique
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature: Romeo N Juliet 4EVA – Jamaica
Achievement in Production Design: 3 Cold Dishes
Achievement in Make-up: Lisabi: The Uprising
Achievement in Soundtrack: Old Righteous Blues
Achievement in Visual Effects: For Land, For Love, For Power
Achievement in Cinematography: The Heart Is a Muscle
Achievement in Editing: The Heart Is a Muscle
Achievement in Screenplay: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso
