The Man Died emerged as the festival’s undeniable champion, taking home awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume.
By Joseph Jonathan
Awam Amkpa’s The Man Died dominated the 15th edition of the Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) 2025, sweeping major categories at the festival’s awards ceremony, which took place at the Chida Hotels & Events Centre, Abuja, on December 5.
The Man Died emerged as the festival’s undeniable champion, taking home awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Costume. Amkpa’s direction was praised for its precision and visual storytelling, while the film’s cinematography captured both the intimacy and gravitas of its narrative, offering audiences a cinematic experience that resonated long after the credits rolled.
Other Nigerian highlights included Finding Nina, which earned Best Actress for Ijapari Ben-Hirki and Best Actor for Abdulazeem M. Ibrahim, as well as Best Sound, showcasing the country’s growing range of talent and technical expertise. Sam Dede’s supporting performance in The Man Died also received recognition, adding to the film’s impressive haul.
The festival’s awards extended beyond Nigeria, highlighting exceptional international cinema. Brazil’s The Cashew Rain (Alan Schvarsberg) took Best Documentary, while Natasha Atab’s Don’t Look At Me was named Best Foreign Film. Iranian filmmaker Daniyal Mahmoudinia’s Dubito received Best Short Film, emphasising the festival’s commitment to diverse storytelling from across the globe.
ZUFF 2025 also celebrated the richness of Nigeria’s regional cinemas. Best Yoruba Film went to ÌṢẸ́ (Penury) directed by Omobolanle Ayankumbi, Best Hausa Film to Kakanda (Toka McBaror), and Best Igbo Film to Road to Hell (Kelechi Emmanuel Oritshet). These wins underscore the festival’s continued recognition of local languages, narratives, and cultural nuance in Nigerian filmmaking.
The ZUMA jury brought together a diverse and esteemed panel of film experts, chaired by Nigeria’s Ejike Asiegbu and including Dr Mohammed Ghazala (Egypt), Gilbert Agbor (Cameroon), Prof. Vincensia Shule (Tanzania), Hafizu Bello (Nigeria), Rasmesh Raparthi (India), Abdulkareem Baba Aminu (Nigeria), Fari Elysian (Russia), and Oskar Alegra (Spain). Their collective expertise reflects the festival’s commitment to rigorous evaluation, international perspectives, and support for cinema that bridges both national and global audiences.
Full List of Winners
Best Picture
The Man Died – Director: Awam Amkpa (Nigeria)
Best Director
Awam Amkpa – The Man Died (Nigeria)
Best Cinematography
The Man Died – Awam Amkpa (Nigeria)
Best Actor
Abdulazeem M. Ibrahim – Finding Nina (Nigeria)
Best Actress
Ijapari Ben-Hirki – Finding Nina (Nigeria)
Best Supporting Actor
Sam Dede – The Man Died (Nigeria)
Best Foreign Film
Don’t Look At Me – Natasha Atab (Brazil)
Best Documentary
The Cashew Rain – Alan Schvarsberg (Brazil)
Best Short Film
Dubito– Daniyal Mahmoudinia (Iran)
Best Yoruba Film
ÌṢẸ́ (Penury) – Omobolanle Ayankumbi (Nigeria)
Best Hausa Film
Kakanda – Toa Mc Baror (Nigeria)
Best Igbo Film
Road to Hell – Kelechi Emmanuel Oritshet (Nigeria)
Best Student Film
Pass – Noushin Safari (Iran)
Best Music Video
Love War – David Woulard & Tyler Parks (USA)
Best Skit
Lion Dance – Yu Chenglin (Taiwan)
Best Animation
The Travails of Ajadi – Adeoye Adetunji (Nigeria)
Best Children Film
Beula – B Suresh Kumar (India)