2025 AMAA: Celebrating African Cinema and Inspiring Creative Opportunities
Picture of Lateef Adedimeji, Tina Mba and Burna Boy. Photo credit : Channels
The 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took place on Sunday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja, Lagos, showcasing Africa’s finest filmmakers, actors, and creatives. The event highlighted how African cinema continues to gain global recognition while inspiring young Nigerians to pursue careers in film and the arts.
Nollywood Shines on the Continental Stage
Nollywood stars made headlines at the ceremony. Lateef Adedimeji won Best Actor in a Leading Role for Lisabi: The Uprising, while Tina Mba earned Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Serpent Gift. 3 Cold Dishes, co-produced by Burna Boy and Osas Ighodaro, won Best Nigerian Film, and Ruby Akubueze took Best Young/Promising Actor.
The film explores the journey of three women from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin who reunite after surviving human trafficking, emphasizing storytelling that educates, empowers, and entertains.
Pan-African Recognition and Innovation
AMAA also celebrated films from across Africa. South Africa’s The Heart Is a Muscle took home Best Film, Cinematography, Editing, and Best Debut Feature. Burkina Faso’s Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions earned awards for Best Film in an African Language, Screenplay, and Costume Design. These achievements highlight opportunities for African filmmakers to reach international audiences and create globally impactful content.
“Nigeria’s strength lies in collaboration, not competition.” – Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, AFA CEO
Celebrating Creativity and Cultural Heritage
The ceremony included live performances by Made Kuti, Rizyn Band, and DJ Kenchello, as well as a tribute to African film practitioners lost in 2025. With special appearances by veteran actors like Pete Edochie and notable guests including Bukky Wright and Uzamat Yusuf, the event demonstrated the value of mentorship and community in the arts.
The 2025 AMAA underscores that African cinema is a growing platform for education, cultural preservation, and career opportunities. For young Nigerians, the awards serve as inspiration to explore film, music, production, and other creative industries — proving that talent, storytelling, and collaboration can open doors locally and globally.
