As the 2025 Septimius Awards draw near, Nollywood has solidified its status in the film sector, garnering several nominations across different categories. The ceremony celebrates exceptional film productions and talents from across the world and is set to take place on September 3 and 4 at the Tuschinski Theatre in Amsterdam.
Attracting stars who are famous Emmy, BAFTA, and Oscar winners, the event has become a platform for appreciating the art of storytelling through cinema.
Among the Nigerian nominees this year is The Serpent’s Gift, a film produced by Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi and directed by Kayode Kasum. The film, written by Stephen Okonkwo and Mr Mett, earned nominations for Best African Film and Best African Actor for Stan Nze. The film centres on a woman who experiences her husband’s mysterious death and faces accusations and conspiracies from his family. The film’s star-studded cast includes Tina Mba, Ihuoma Linda Ejiofor, Beverly Osu, Etim Effiong, and Inem King. Nile Entertainment, the distributor, has scheduled The Serpent’s Gift for its West African cinema debut on August 29, 2025.
The Nigerian drama series Grind, created by Roberta Orioma, is another major contender and earned a nomination for Best Series. Directed by Orire Nwani and Joshua Tsotso and produced by Josh Olaoluwa and Orioma, the show follows Tarela, a young woman who becomes a stripper to support her family and fund her sister’s education. Capturing the intensity of Lagos nightlife, the series takes on themes such as survival, ambition, and agency, offering a look at narratives that resonate well with many viewers.
Nigeria’s official 2025 Oscar selection, Mai Martaba, has also secured four nominations, namely Best African Film, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup and Hairstyling. The historical epic, a spin-off from the popular radio drama Kasar Jallaba, was produced by Ghali Abdallah Dz and Prince Daniel, who also directed the film. Set in an ancient kingdom that once thrived on the Trans-Saharan trade, the story takes place during a devastating power struggle within the ruling clan. Starring Adam A. Zango, Muktar Aminu Haruna, and Fatima Mohammed, the film premiered in Kano, Kastina, and Kaduna in 2024 and is currently receiving well-earned international recognition.
The revenge thriller 3 Cold Dishes is also taking up nominations for Best Screenplay and Best African Actress for Osas Ighodaro. Directed by Oluseyi Asurf and written by Tomi Adesina, the film digs into themes of human trafficking and retribution across Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritania. Produced by Ighodaro alongside global music star Burna Boy, the movie features an impressive ensemble cast, including Wale Ojo, Bambadjan Bamba, and Amélie Mbaye, and is expected to be released worldwide on November 7, 2025.
Recall, crafted by renowned filmmaker Kunle Afolayan, has also been included in the roster of Nollywood films at the Septimius Awards. The movie received nominations for Best Producer, Best African Actress for Sharon Ooja, and Best African Actor for Olarotimi Fakunle. The film portrays the tale of Goke, a husband whose existence is disrupted when his wife forgets everything just one day following their 10th wedding anniversary. While he attempts to reclaim her history, unsettling realities start to emerge.
The Septimius Awards are known for their dedication to discovering and supporting independent talent and promoting quality, originality, and cultural diversity in the cinema industry. Entries for the awards span across fiction, non-fiction, animation, television series, and scripts from across Asia, Africa, Oceania, Europe, and America.
The event also offers networking opportunities that connect filmmakers with producers, distributors, and actors, which provides nominees with international visibility; high-profile ambassadors, including Stedman Graham, partner of Oprah Winfrey, are also expected to be in attendance.
This year’s strong Nollywood presence at the 2025 Septimius Awards underscores the industry’s continued growth and its ability to produce world-class films, with much attention being focused on Amsterdam this September to see if these impressive Nigerian film productions take home the gold.
