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The Filmjoint has announced its nominees list for the 2026 edition of The Filmjoint Awards (TFA) in celebration of excellence in filmmaking across Africa and the rest of the world. The nominations recognize outstanding works of film professionals across different units, such as performance, directing, cinematography, storytelling and production design, bringing attention to both emerging […]
The Filmjoint has announced its nominees list for the 2026 edition of The Filmjoint Awards (TFA) in celebration of excellence in filmmaking across Africa and the rest of the world. The nominations recognize outstanding works of film professionals across different units, such as performance, directing, cinematography, storytelling and production design, bringing attention to both emerging and established creatives.
Co-founded by Gbenga Adeoti (also Managing Director) and Dawn Ntekim-Rex (also Programs Director), The Filmjoint has established itself as Africa’s leading platform committed to the promotion and marketing of quality short films and the celebration of its distinguished filmmakers. Curated to create a market for the short film and empower its filmmakers to earn from their work, the Filmjoint operates with two flagship programmes, which are The Filmjoint Premieres, a live event for the screening and conversations around short films, and The Filmjoint Awards, an annual merit-based that spotlights and honours distinguished short films. TFA accolades are achieved following different stages and they involve both a hybrid voting and a professional jury-based verdict.
The inaugural Award ceremony was held in 2024, featuring 17 unique award categories, 40 nominated short films and short documentaries and a total 110 nominees across all categories—with notable industry stakeholders such as CEO of Sozo Films Chris Odeh, executive producer of Mami Wata Mautin Olorunleke Tairu, and actor-filmmaker Bimbo Ademoye in attendance. Earlier this year, the sophomore edition brought together notable names such as veteran actress Stella Damasus and Over The Bridge director Tolu Ajayi, and produced winners across 18 categories.
The full nominees list for the 2026 Awards are as follows:
BEST PICTURE
Thomas Negovan, Danielle Montana – Aurora
Bisi Alimi, Lanre Njoku – Shall We Meet Tonight
Ivy Kiru – Inheritance
Mel Rouge – Toll Free
Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi Nze – Unbound
Somto Ihezue, Bella Nadia Bemigho, Emmy Williams & Oreoluwa Obadofin – On Our Skin
Eugene Koshin – Chop Chop!
BEST DIRECTOR
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight
Joy Nmezi – Slot
James Amuta, Mel Rouge – Toll-Free
Abiodun Udom, Adejo “Story Priest” Emmanuel – On Our Skin
Peter Inyang – Unbound
Kolade Mann – Ovisa
Ayomide A. Coker – Two of Us
BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM
Thomas Negovan – Aurora (United States)
Levgen Koshy – Chop Chop! (United Kingdom)
Adi Alfa – Bleached Out (United Kingdom)
Stacey Darkwaah Duah – The Wilderness (United Kingdom)
Trevor Hardy – Buckshot (United Kingdom)
BEST AFRICAN FILM
Barbara Minishi – Inheritance (Kenya)
Bisi Alimi, Lanre Njoku – Shall We Meet Tonight (Nigeria)
Myde Glover, Morenikeji Uka – Irin Ajo (The Journey) (Nigeria)
Myde Glover – Isekonu (Nigeria)
Maurice Muendo – The Date (Kenya)
Abisola Ajayi – Ogbanje (Nigeria)
BEST INDIGENOUS FILM (NIGERIA)
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight
Adejo “Story Priest” Emmanuel – Isekonu
Nathaniel Deme – Ogbanje
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too Crave Death
Fayomi Temitope Samson – ÀǸFÀNÍ ÌKẸYÌN (Chance Medley)
Joy Nmezi – Slot
Kolade Mann – Ovisa
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Ayoola Oladimeji – Shall We Meet Tonight
Ifeme C.S – Slot
Ubong Ofong – Ovisa
Joseph Oladunjoye – Toll-Free
Oluwaseun Sodeke – Mara
Tosin Igho – Unbound
Oyedokun “Davoy” David – Two of Us
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight
Lancy Artistry – Isekonu
Babatunde Oluwashogo – Ovisa
Nneka Jane Mekwunye – On Our Skin
Tega Obahor – Nightmare
Stanley Okeke, Mayowa Damilare – Slot
Oluwatomiwa Otun – Mara
BEST SOUND (OVERALL)
McPherson Aghah – Shall We Meet Tonight
Idono Onyemunosa-Ibeeabuchi – Slot
Elias Gbadebo – On Our Skin
Kolade Mann – Ovisa
Davison Onyemali – The Cry
Adams Ilia Smith, Joseph Bankole – Unbound
Elias Gbadebo – Ebiren Re
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Moshood Fattah – Slot
Seun Ajayi – Mofe
Korede Lawal – On Our Skin
Anthony Nwahiri – Song of Solomon
Cheyi Okoaye – Cause, Effect & Maybe Consequence
Nwankwo Kingsley Obi – To He Who Wants Nothing More
Josiah Chuks Adigwe – Beneath The Surface
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Goodness Emmanuel – Shall We Meet Tonight
Adunolaoluwa Osilowo – Isekonu
Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah – Echoes
Chinaza Ezeani – The Cry
Chinelo Ejianwu – Unbound
Hauwa “Nananikeji” Issa – Inside of Me
Diekola Blessing – Two of Us
BEST SCREENPLAY (ORIGINAL OR ADAPTED)
Myde Glover – Irin Ajo
Adejo “Story Priest” Emmanuel – Isekonu
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too, Crave Death
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader
Ufuoma Bakporhe – Two Hearts One Soul
Tobi Hassan – The Cry
Thecla Uzozie – Unbound
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
Olufisayo Sholaja – Isekonu
Latifat Ifunaya Jadesimi – On Our Skin
Ohlanna Bu Zikora – Shall We Meet Tonight
Jadesimi Latifat Ifunanya – Ovisa
Adunjesu Pedro – Toll-Free
Precious Araromi – Mara
Olamide Awodire – Echoes
BEST MAKE-UP / SFX
Maureen Ebhodaghe – On Our Skin
Josephine Olukoju – Àǹfànì Ìkẹyìn (Chance Medley)
Deola Soneye – Nightmare
Anuoluwapo Fayenuwo – Two of Us
Maureen Ebhodaghe – Ebiren Re
Modupe Durojaiye – Song of Solomon
Omalicha – Isekonu
BEST FILM EDITING
Tobi Hassan – The Cry
Taofik Ahmed, Darlington Odor, Godspower Emmanuel – Mofe
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader
Enobong Albert – Song of Solomon
Oloyede LCH Luthman – To He Who Wants Nothing More
Olamilekan Adedayo – Inside of Me
Taofik Ahmed, Darlington Odor, Godspower Emmanuel – Ovisa
BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM
Shedrack Salami – Beyond Olympic Glory (Nigeria)
Annabelle Ayangbade – What I Do Not Know Will Not Kill Me (Nigeria)
Celestina Aleobua – Tina, When Will You Marry (Nigeria)
Ian Gituku – 10 Toes Down (Nigeria)
Damola Adewale, Makinde Oluwaseyifunmi, Ugo Nwachukwu – Henry, Reporting (Nigeria)
Shittu Abdulafiz – The Grief (Nigeria)
BEST STUDENT FILM
Yinka Ikubuwaje – Omo Eko (United Kingdom)
Olabode Isreal Ibukunoluwa, Oghenekevwe Okporuwa – The Samaritan (Nigeria)
Ivande Miracle Ikyegh – Photoshoot (Nigeria)
Kevin Mukama – Please Wait (Uganda)
Christopher Leisewitz, Obakeng Malete – Isithunzi (South Africa)
Refilwe Thaka – Switched Perception
JURY AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING STORYTELLING
Thomas Negovan – Aurora
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight
Barbara Minishi – Inheritance
Adejo “Story Priest” Emmanuel – Isekonu
Peter Inyang – Unbound
Levgen Koshyn – Chop Chop!
FILMJOINT AWARD FOR VOICE OF IMPACT
Myde Glover – Isekonu
Joy Nmezi – Slot
Mel Rouge – Toll-Free
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too, Crave Death
Enobong Albert – Song of Solomon
Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi Nze – Unbound
NAIFF AWARD FOR BEST AI FILM
David Mgbeahuru – Godzilla in Lagos (Nigeria)
Promise Awoji – Courage (Nigeria)
Gurkan Atakan – The Root (Türkiye)
Jimena Aguilar – Finnish and Paranoid Dream (Argentina)
Stephen Shenboyejo – Dead Drop (Nigeria)
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