Adedimeji, Mba, Burna Boy Shine at AMAA

By Daniel Ojukwu

Nollywood stars Lateef Adedimeji and Tina Mba, along with the film 3 Cold Dishes, co-produced by Afrobeats star Burna Boy, were among the biggest winners at the 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held on Sunday at the Balmoral Convention Centre, Ikeja GRA, Lagos. The ceremony celebrated the achievements of African filmmakers, actors, and creative professionals, recognizing excellence in acting, directing, cinematography, and other technical categories.

3 Cold Dishes won Best Nigerian Film and Best Young/Promising Actor for Ruby Akubueze. The thriller, co-produced by Burna Boy and Osas Ighodaro, follows three women from Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, and Benin who reunite years after surviving human trafficking to seek justice against their abusers. Lateef Adedimeji was awarded Best Actor in a Leading Role for his performance in Lisabi: The Uprising, while Tina Mba took Best Actress in a Supporting Role for The Serpent Gift.

The five-hour event, organized by the Africa Film Academy, opened with a lively performance by the Ebony Band. AMAA CEO Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe praised African filmmakers for elevating the continent’s cinema on the global stage. “We salute Nollywood and all creatives whose accomplishments have earned African cinema international recognition. Nigeria is vital and vibrant, but her finest contribution comes when she complements the whole through collaboration, not competition,” he said.

South Africa’s The Heart Is a Muscle won Best Film, as well as Cinematography, Editing, and Best Debut Feature for director Imran Hamdulay, while Burkina Faso’s Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions earned Best Film in an African Language, Screenplay, and Costume Design. The night also featured performances by Made Kuti, Rizyn Band, and DJ Kenchello, highlighted by Made Kuti’s rendition of his grandfather Fela Kuti’s classic Palava, along with a short stage drama starring veterans Pete Edochie and Tony Umez.

A tribute was held in honor of African film practitioners who passed away between January and November 2025.

Congratulations to all the winners, whose talent and dedication continue to raise the profile of African cinema on the world stage.

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