The excitement around African cinema reached new heights this week as the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2025) announced its list of nominees, with Nigerian films Lisabi: The Uprising, 3 Cold Dishes, and Red Circle emerging as major contenders. The nominations, unveiled in Lagos, reaffirm Nigeriaโs position as one of the continentโs strongest creative hubs.

Burkina Fasoโs Katanga: Dance of the Scorpions leads this yearโs tally with ten nominations, but Nigeriaโs Lisabi: The Uprising follows closely with seven, alongside 3 Cold Dishes, which continues to attract global attention. Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, Lisabi has been recognized in both artistic and technical categories, including Best Film, Best Director, Achievement in Visual Effects, and Costume Design. 3 Cold Dishes, directed by Asurf Oluseyi, is also up for Best Film and Best Cinematography, while Red Circle, another Nigerian title, made its mark with nominations in screenplay and editing categories.

In the acting categories, several Nigerian stars are in contention. Osas Ighodaro, Fat Toure, and Maud Guerard received recognition for their performances in 3 Cold Dishes, while Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman and Shaffy Bello also earned nominations for their roles in The Serpent Gift and The Masked King, respectively. Industry observers say this yearโs nominations highlight the range and depth of performances coming out of Nollywood and its expanding international collaborations.
Other Nigerian entries such as Freedom Way, The Serpent Gift, and Amanayanbo also scored nominations, particularly in technical categories like cinematography, sound design, and production design. This yearโs AMAA shortlist has been praised for its diversity, reflecting a growing balance between established and emerging filmmakers across Africa.

The AMAA 2025 awards ceremony will take place on November 9, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. Organisers have promised a night of glamour, cultural celebration, and recognition for cinematic excellence from across the continent. As anticipation builds, all eyes are on Nigeria to see if Lisabi or 3 Cold Dishes can bring home the top honours for the country.
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