The week-long 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF peaked on Saturday 11th November, 2023 at Oriental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos with the celebration of outstanding individuals and stakeholders for their contributions to African cinema for the year. It was a fun-filled affair as the event was graced by filmmakers and actors, tourists and other media professionals.
Gracing the Red Carpet session were Nollywood icons like Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Ini Edo, Tobi Bakre, Lateef Adedimeji, Bimpe Adedimeji, Shawn Faqua, Franklyn Buchi, Kenneth Gyang, Jay Franklyn-Jitubor, Rita Dominik, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Segun Arinze, amongst others.
The grand finale produced different winners across a number of categories, including winners for Best Feature Film category, Bolanle Austen-Peters’ Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti and Audience Choice award, the Genevieve Nnaji executive-produced I Do Not Come To You By Chance. Also honored with the Best Students Short Film Award was budding filmmaker Adekunle Blue’s Man and Masquerades.
Specially recognized in the Globe Awards category were 11 incredible actors for their performances in certain Nollywood films over the past year. The honorees were Nse Ikpe-Etim (4-4-44), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Black Book), Lateef Adedimeji (Jagun Jagun), Tobi Bakre (Gangs of Lagos), Ini Edo (Shanty Town), Kunle Remi (Anikulapo), Blossom Chukwujekwu (The Trade), Chioma Chukwuka (Gangs of Lagos), Chidi Mokeme (Shanty Town), Funke Akindele (Battle On Buka Street), and Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun).
Here is the full list of winners.
Audience Choice Award: I Do Not Come To You By Chance
Access Bank Best Short Film: Until 23
Best Documentary: White Nanny Black Child
Oronto Douglas Best Feature Film: Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Best International Feature: Brothers directed by Darkhan Tulegenov
Best Director: Ellie Foumbi, Our Father, The Devil
Best Performance Male: Gregory Ojefua, This is Lagos/Black Harvest
Special Jury Prize: All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White and White Nanny, Black Child
Best International Short Film: Nzu
Best Animation: When Hearts Touch
Best Student Short Film: Man and Masquerades
Best Screenplay: Tunde Babalola – Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti