BURNA BOY’S 3 COLD DISHES, LATEEF ADEDIMEJI, TINA MBA SHINE AT 2025 AFRICA MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS

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By Aishat Momoh. O.

Nollywood stars Lateef Adedimeji and Tina Mba, alongside 3 Cold Dishes, a film co-produced by Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy, emerged among the biggest winners at the 2025 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held on Sunday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

The star-studded 21st edition of the continental awards celebrated the excellence of Africa’s most talented filmmakers, actors, and creatives.

3 Cold Dishes clinched two major honours — Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor for Ruby Akubueze.
The multilingual thriller, co-produced by Burna Boy and Osas Ighodaro, tells the gripping story of three women from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin who reunite years after surviving human trafficking to take revenge on their abusers.

Lateef Adedimeji earned the Best Actor in a Leading Role award for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising, while veteran actress Tina Mba took home Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her outstanding portrayal in The Serpent Gift.

The five-hour event, organised by the Africa Film Academy (AFA), opened with a vibrant performance by the Ebony Band and featured a blend of music, drama, and tributes.

In his opening address, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, AMAA’s Chief Executive Officer, praised African filmmakers for elevating the continent’s storytelling on the global stage.

“We salute Nollywood and all creatives whose accomplishments have earned African cinema international recognition,” he said. “Nigeria is vital and vibrant, but her finest contribution comes when she complements the whole through collaboration, not competition.”

Six members of the AMAA jury presented 26 awards across acting, directing, cinematography, and technical categories, spotlighting diverse achievements in African cinema.

South Africa’s The Heart Is a Muscle emerged as Best Film, also winning in Cinematography, Editing, and Best Debut Feature for director Imran Hamdulay.
Burkina Faso’s Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions also made its mark, winning Best Film in an African Language, Screenplay, and Costume Design.

The ceremony featured a short stage drama starring veteran actor Pete Edochie as a godly figure and Tony Umez as a man seeking divine answers.
Musical performances by Made Kuti, the Rizyn Band, and DJ Kenchello brought rhythm and nostalgia to the evening, highlighted by Made Kuti’s rousing rendition of Fela Kuti’s classic “Palava.”

A touching tribute segment honoured African film practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025.

Notable guests included Bukky Wright, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Lancelot Imasuen, Jide Achufusi, and former Lagos Commissioner Uzamat Yusuf, among others.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

NFVCB Award for Best Nigerian Film: 3 Cold Dishes

Best Young/Promising Actor: Ruby Akubueze – 3 Cold Dishes

Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Clemento Ashietey – Last Stop

Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Tina Mba – The Serpent Gift

Best Actor in a Leading Role: Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising

Best Actress in a Leading Role: Florence Mariserena – Small Gods

Best Debut Feature Film by a Director: The Heart Is a Muscle – Imran Hamdulay

Best Director: Dany Kouyaté – Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso

Best Film: The Heart Is a Muscle – South Africa

Best Film in an African Language: Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions – Burkina Faso

Eferé Ozako Award for Best Short Film: The Missing Piece – Kenya