After a week of Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), the prestigious award came to an end last night with the AFRIFF Globe Awards, bringing filmmakers, actors, musicians and other members of the creative industry together at Lagos Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos.
Held on Saturday, November 7, the awards ceremony marked the closing of AFRIFF’s 15th edition, which ran from November 1 to 7 under the theme “Frames of the Future: Africa’s Creative Intelligence.” The festival’s Globe Awards recognises outstanding films and creative talent from the festival’s selection.
The ceremony was hosted by Osas Ighodaro and Keturah King, who kept the night moving as the award winners were announced and performers took the stage.
In attendance at the ceremony were AFRIFF founder Chioma Ude, Nollywood actresses Iyabo Ojo, Ini Edo, Uche Jombo, Rita Dominic and Hilda Dokubo, fashion icon Ugo Mozie, video director TG Omori, American actress Yaya DaCosta, and filmmaker Kunle Afolayan.
Singer Timi Dakolo, actor Enyinna Nwigwe, Stan Nze, and Williams Uchemba; singer Flavour N’abania; actor Frederick Leonard; rapper Odumodublvck; and the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, were also among the guests.
During the ceremony, Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck presented his first short film, “Rise of the Machine”. The film, which was directed by TG Omori, received its world premiere at the AFRIFF Globe Awards 2026, and it’s one of the highlights of the night.
Other major moments at the award include performances from talented Nigerian artists, including D’banj, Timi Dakolo, and BLNDE. Creative and entertainment group, GO CREATIONS, also delivered a vibrant cultural performance at the ceremony.
Chioma Ude founded AFRIFF in 2010 to create a platform where African filmmakers could show their work, meet other industry professionals and connect with audiences at home and internationally.
What started as a film festival has grown into a wider industry platform. AFRIFF now brings together screenings, workshops, masterclasses, industry meetings and conversations around the business and future of African cinema.
The Globe Awards, which is part of AFRIFF, give filmmakers whose work was screened at the festival a chance to leave the week with some recognition of their own. Below are the 2026 winners.
AFRIFF Globe Awards 2026 Winners
Best Screenplay: The Tropic Sun and His Eyes – Elisee Junior St. Preux
Best Short Film: The Spectacular Death of Prisca – Kaelo
Best Feature Film: Slum Bomber – Maureen Nankya
Best Animation Film: Lice N’ Shine – Maria Byoma
Best International Feature Film: The Tropic Sun and His Eyes – Elisee Junior St. Preux
Best International Short Film: The Little Soldier – Roxan Karmi
Best Documentary Film: Miss Jobson – Amanda Sans Pantling
Best Documentary Short: Throne of Wood – Sadegh Kazemi
Best Actress: Sarah Karen – One Woman, One Bra
Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence: Joel Chikapa Phiri
Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence: Francis Nebot
Herbert Wigwe Award for Excellence: Danielle Brooks
Herbert Wigwe Award – Honourable Recipient: Kene Okwuosa
Below are more photos from the 2026 AFRIFF Globe Awards:
