In a spectacular celebration of Nigerian cinema, the action thriller ‘Freedom Way’ by Blessing Uzzi captured the prestigious Best Overall Movie award, highlighting the struggles encountered by young Nigerians.
Awam Amkpa was honored as Best Director for his remarkable adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s prison memoir, ‘The Man Died.’
‘Seven Doors’ achieved significant recognition, with Chioma Chukwuka and Femi Adebayo winning awards for Best Lead Actress and Best Lead Actor, respectively. A visibly emotional Adebayo expressed his gratitude simply, stating, “Thank you, thank you.”
In the Best Supporting Actor and Actress categories, Mercy Aigbe and Kunle Afolayan emerged victorious, showcasing their exceptional talents.
The event, hosted by Ik Osakioduwa along with newcomer David Oke, shone a spotlight on emerging talents, beginning with an energetic performance from the dance group Dream Catchers.
A total of 27 awards were presented, including 18 determined by industry experts and 9 chosen by audience votes.
Recognizing excellence in the film industry, the Industry Merit Award was presented to actor and film producer Sani Muazu and veteran actor Nkem Owoh for their significant contributions.
The Trailblazer Award, celebrating innovative talent, went to Kayode Kasum, celebrated for his work on ‘Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story’ and ‘Far From Home.’ Though absent, the award was accepted by filmmaker James Amuta, who praised Kasum as a “diligent filmmaker and director.”
Iyo Prosper Adokiye received the award for Best Digital Content Creator for his viral piece, “We listen to, we don’t judge,” although he could not attend the ceremony. In a humorous moment, comedian Basketmouth expressed frustration over his film’s loss in the writing category.
In an exciting new category, Tolu Obanro won Best Score for his composition in ‘Seven Doors.’
While Osakioduwa brought his trademark humor to the stage, some technical challenges, including teleprompter glitches, caused brief awkward moments during presentations.
The night concluded with captivating musical performances by Johnny Drille and Fido, celebrating the accomplishments of both seasoned veterans and emerging stars in the film industry.
