‘The Man Died’ clinches 5 spots as winners emerge at ZUMA 2025 Awards
By Editor
WINNERS of the coveted awards of Zuma International Film Festival (ZUFF) 2025 have emerged, with the Wole Soyinka-inspired film, The Man Died, directed by Nigerian born New York University don, Prof. Awam Amkpa, turned out the most celebrated film as it clinched five awards in different categories. The winners were announced at this year’s edition of ZUMA Awards Night and closing ceremony of the 15th edition in the series includes Best Picture Best Cinematography, Best Director, Best Animation/Cartoon, Best Actress/Supporting Actress, Best Actor/Supporting Actor, Best Documentary, Best Foreign Film, Best Student Film, Best Sound, Best Costume, Best Indigenous Films (Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and any other indigenous film), Best Short Film, Best Skit, and Best Music Video, among others. The 5-day Zuma international film festival to place at Jabi Lake Mall, Silver Bird Cinema and Chida Hotels and Events Center, Abuja from December 1-5, 2025.
In a statement signed by the Public Affairs Director, Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), Brian Etuk, the following emerged as winners. Best Animation – The Travails of Ajadi – directed by Adeoye Adetunji (Nigerian), Best Documentary – The Cashew Rain – directed By Alan Schvarsberg (Brazil), Best Sound – Finding Nina – directed By Famous Eghosa Sarah Ifidon (Nigeria), Best Picture, Best Costume and Best Cinematography – The Man Died – directed By Awam Amkpa (Nigeria), Best Short Film – Dubito – directed By Daniyal Mahmoudinia (Iran), Best Music Video – Love War – directed By David Woulard and Tyler Parks (US), Best Skit – Lion Dance – directed By yu Chenglin (Taiwan), Best Student Film – Pass – directed By Noushin Safari (Iran) and Best Children Film – Beula – directed by B Suresh Kumar (India).
Other winners in individual categories, according to Etuk, are Best Indigenous Yoruba Film – ÌṢẸ́ (Penury) – directed By Omobolanle Ayankumbi (Nigerian), Best Indigenous Hausa Film – Kakanda – directed By Toa Mc Baror (Nigeria), Best Indigenous Igbo Film – Road to Hell – directed By Kelechi Emmanuel Oritshet (Nigeria), Best Foreign Film – Don’t Look at Me – directed By Natasha Atab (Brazil), Best Actor – Abdulazeem M. Ibrahim – Finding Nina (Nigerian), Best Supporting Actor – Sam Dede – The Man Died (Nigeria), Best Actress – Ijapari Ben-Hirki – Finding Nina (Nigeria) and Best Director – Awam Amkpa – The Man Died (Nigeria).
Judges for this year’s ZUMA Festival were the Chair, Mr. Ejike Asiegbu (Nigeria), Dr. Mohammed Ghazala (Egypt), Mr. Gilbert Agbor (Cameroun), Prof. Vincensia Shule (Tanzania), Mr. Hafizu Bello (Nigeria), Mr. Rasmesh Raparthi (India), Abdulkareem BabaAminu (Nigeria), Fari Elysian (Russia) and Oskar Alegra (Spain).
