In the short films category, three films stood out at this year's edition of the festival.
A special mention was given by the Jury for the film: Genius in disguise.
In this documentary, director James Amuta tries to demystify dyslexia by talking to people who have it, educators and mental health specialists. To enhance the documentary's visual appeal for the target audience of children and young adults, the director illustrated the film's dramatic elements with animated storyboards. The problem of dyslexia is a learning disability that affects 40 million Nigerians. 98% of this figure is undiagnosed.
For the Best Short Film Award: there are two winners:
Love Language directed by Uzoamaka Aniunoh and Employee of the Month directed by Goga Clay. Love Language is a short film featuring a couple who discover how their cultural differences challenge their bond. The story, set in Lagos, follows the lives of Chioma, played by director Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and Abdul (Adam Garba). A conversation brings many facets of their reality to light, which puts their bond to the test. The short film also highlights the importance and challenges of inter-ethnic relationships, while asking fundamental human questions. The film Employee of the Month is about Ibinabo, a young husband and father-to-be, who leads a ordinary but exemplary life. He struggles to prove himself to his boss, but finds himself caught up in the horrors of the October 2020 EndSARS protests against police brutality.
In the feature film category, 2 films were rewarded.
A special mention of the Jury for the feature film: Brotherhood directed by Loukman Ali. After years of surviving the streets of Lagos, two brothers find their sibling bonds strained when one of them joins the police and chases the other and his gang. The Best Feature Film Award went to Ba ni by director Daniel Ehimen. A young girl is drawn into the underworld of beggars and must do anything to escape the grip of her abusive boss. Finally, the traditional Audience Award in partnership with the Angénieux brand went to the film The Wild Flower by director Biodun Stephens, a film giving a voice to Nigerian victims of GBV (Gender-Based Violence).