The 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) celebrated African cinema on Sunday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos, honoring outstanding films and talents from across the continent.

“3 Cold Dishes,” a multilingual thriller co-produced by Burna Boy and Osas Ighodaro, emerged as one of the biggest winners, taking home Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor for Ruby Akubueze.

Lateef Adedimeji won Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising, while Tina Mba was recognized as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Serpent Gift. South Africa’s The Heart Is a Muscle was named Best Film and also won awards for Cinematography, Editing, and Best Debut Feature Film for director Imran Hamdulay.

Burkina Faso’s Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions won Best Film in an African Language, Best Screenplay, and Best Costume Design, marking another strong showing for West African cinema.

The ceremony also honored African film practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025, alongside captivating musical performances.

Full List of Winners – 2025 AMAA Awards

Nigeria

• Best Nigerian Film: 3 Cold Dishes
• Best Young/Promising Actor: Ruby Akubueze – 3 Cold Dishes
• Best Actor in a Leading Role: Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
• Best Actress in a Leading Role: Florence Mariserena – Small Gods
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clemento Ashietey – Last Stop
• Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Tina Mba – The Serpent Gift
• Achievement in Production Design: 3 Cold Dishes
• Achievement in Make-up: Lisabi: The Uprising
• Achievement in Soundtrack: Old Righteous Blues

Africa (Outside Nigeria)

• Best Film: The Heart Is a Muscle – South Africa
• Best Debut Feature Film by a Director: Imran Hamdulay – The Heart Is a Muscle
• Best Director: Dany Kouyaté – Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso
• Best Film in an African Language: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso
• Achievement in Costume Design: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions
• Achievement in Sound: Algiers
• 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
• Achievement in Make-up: Lisabi: The Uprising

Short Films & Animation

• Eferé Ozako Award for Best Short Film: The Missing Piece – Kenya
• Jubril Malafia Award for Best Animation: Dawn – Cameroun

Documentary & Diaspora

• Best Documentary: The Journey East – DRC
• Best Diaspora Short: Cartes – USA
• Best Diaspora Narrative Feature: Romeo N Juliet 4EVA – Jamaica
• Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African Living Abroad: Ancestral Visions of the Future – Lesotho/France/Germany
• Best Diaspora Documentary: Rediscovering Fenon – USA/Algeria/Martinique

The 2025 AMAA Awards showcased the diversity, creativity, and excellence of African cinema, highlighting emerging talent while celebrating established icons.