Globe Awards 2025 once again brought the magic of African cinema to life at the AFRIFF Globe Awards, held at the Banquet Hall of the Oriental Hotel in Lekki, Lagos. The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) showcased the best of African film, music, and culture in a night filled with glamour, emotion, and world-class storytelling.
Globe Awards 2025 at AFRIFF: A Night of African Cinematic Brilliance
The AFRIFF 2025 Globe Awards was a star-studded celebration of African filmmakers, actors, producers, and creatives who are shaping the global narrative of Black and African stories. From red carpet elegance to heartfelt speeches, the event highlighted why AFRIFF remains one of the most important film festivals in Africa.
The ceremony celebrated:
- Outstanding African and international films
- Powerful performances from actors and directors
- Creative excellence across screenwriting, animation, and documentary filmmaking
- The cultural influence of Afrobeats and African storytelling on global audiences
Globe Awards 2025: Afroculture Sets the Tone
The night opened with the screening of Afroculture, this year’s closing film, a vibrant and soul-stirring documentary by award-winning musician Flavour.
The film served as:
- A visual love letter to African creativity
- A celebration of rhythm, style, and identity
- A powerful tribute to African resilience and cultural pride
Afroculture perfectly set the mood for the AFRIFF Globe Awards, reminding guests why African stories matter on and off the screen.
Globe Awards 2025: Honouring Excellence with the Herbert Wigwe Award
One of the most emotional moments of the Globe Awards AFRIFF 2025 Globe Awards was the presentation of the prestigious Herbert Wigwe Award of Excellence. This award recognises individuals whose work, creativity, and vision continue to elevate African arts and culture on the global stage.
This year’s honorees included:
- David Oyelowo – Hollywood actor and global ambassador of African storytelling
- Flavour – Celebrated Nigerian musician and creator of Afroculture
- Hakeem Muri-Okunola – Principal Secretary to the President
- Peter Mbah – Governor of Enugu State
Each honoree was acknowledged for their inspiring contributions to the advancement of African excellence across entertainment, governance, and culture.
Globe Awards 2025: Dance, Theatre, and the Power of Performance
The AFRIFF Globe Awards 2025 was not just about trophies; it was a full cultural experience.
Highlights included:
- A vibrant dance performance by a dynamic troupe that lit up the stage with color, rhythm, and energy
- A powerful theatrical piece by students from Bimbo Akintola’s acting class, whose minimalist black costumes and emotional delivery symbolized the new wave of African storytelling
These performances reflected AFRIFF’s commitment to nurturing emerging talent and amplifying fresh African voices across theatre and film.
Globe Awards 2025: Full List of AFRIFF Winning Films and Talents
The awards segment was the heart of the night, spotlighting the filmmakers and creatives whose work defined the year in African and international cinema.
Audience Choice Award
- Son of the Soil | Chee Keong Cheung | Nigeria
Feature Film
- To Adaego With Love | Nwamaka Chikezie | Nigeria
Best International Film
- Pasa Faho | Kalu Oji | Australia
Best Director
- Zoey Martinson | The Fisherman
Male Performance
- Richard Bamgbaye | Aljana
Female Performance
- Michelle Lemuya Ikeny | Nawi
Screenplay
- Brenda Garuba | To Adaego With Love
Animation
- The Travails of Ajadi | Adeoye Adetunji | Nigeria
Best Documentary
- The Eyes of Ghana | Ben Proudfoot | Ghana
International Documentary
- TUKKI: From Roots to Bayou | Vincent Le Gal, Alune Wade | France, Ghana, Senegal, US
Documentary Short
- Beyond The Screen | Peter Fada Osiughwu | Nigeria, UK
Best Short Film
- The Day The Heart Died | Russell Oru | Nigeria
International Short Film
- Majini | Joshua Neubert, Victor Muhagachi | Tanzania, United Kingdom
Best Student Short
- The Labyrinth | Toluwalope Okunade Ebiseni | France
Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Film
- The Eyes of Ghana | Ben Proudfoot | Ghana
This strong line-up of winners confirms AFRIFF’s role as a global platform for bold, original, and culturally rich storytelling.
Globe Awards 2025: Music, Afrobeats, and a Grand Finale
As the night drew to a close, the Loud Urban Choir took over the stage with uplifting harmonies and energetic performances that had guests singing along and dancing in their seats. Their sound fused Afrobeats, soul, and contemporary gospel influences, wrapping up the Globe Awards AFRIFF 2025 on a high note.
The performance left the audience excited, inspired, and completely entertained – a perfect ending to an unforgettable night.
Globe Awards 2025 and AFRIFF: The Future of African Storytelling
Globe Awards 2025 at AFRIFF was more than an awards ceremony. It was:
- A celebration of African creativity and innovation
- A showcase of world-class African cinema and storytelling
- A reminder of the cultural power of African films, music, and performance on the global stage
AFRIFF 2025 Globe Awards wasn’t just an awards night. It was a bold declaration that African cinema is here, it is powerful, and it is beautifully unstoppable.
