‘Safari’ has emerged as the top winner, receiving the Golden Jury Award (Overall Best Film) at the 22nd edition of the Abuja International Film Festival, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.

The festival was held from November  6 to 10, with the theme “From Script to Nation: The Role of Film in Shaping National Identity,” at Silverbird Cinemas & Merit House, Abuja.

Filmed across Lagos, Abuja, Nairobi, and Mombasa, Safari follows a compelling and emotionally resonant cross-cultural drama of love, betrayal, and murder. It follows the tale of an embittered wife of a Nigerian senator, who, amid her husband’s presidential campaign and marital issues, travels to Kenya for a vacation, where she gets entangled with a Kenyan ‘beach boy’. It is more than mere drama. It exposes the intersection of dark truths and a dazzling lifestyle, while featuring richly detailed cultural landscapes.

Veteran Kenyan filmmaker, director, and producer, known for his East African film productions, Reuben Odanga, formed a creative partnership with fellow veteran Nigerian filmmaker Obi Emelonye in the directing and production of ‘Safari’.

The cast also featured other star-studded filmmaking experts, including Osas Ighodaro, Jide Achufusi, Emmanuel Mugo, Ken Ambani, and Ali Nuhu, veteran actor and Managing Director, Nigerian Film Corporation, among many others. These made sure the film lost no touch with its Nigerian roots, while stretching into Kenyan origins, and promoting a broader, pan-African cinematic vision.

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The Nollywood movie was nominated for five categories of the awards but clinched three, including the award for Outstanding Director, Outstanding Actress, which was won by sensation, Osas Ighodaro, and the highly coveted Golden Jury Award.

”We just won three awards at the Abuja International Film Festival 2025, and it is a thing of honour for me and my team,” the Director remarked.

In another interview, on the red carpet, Emelonye thanked the organisers of AIFF and expressed delight over the feat attained by the film at the fiesta.

The award ceremony also featured other categories such as Experimental Film, Outstanding Animation Film, Outstanding Cinematography, and Outstanding Short Film.

Apart from the glitters and fanfare at the award ceremony, making a film that appeals to two distinct audiences is no ordinary feat. The collaboration points to the sheer power of shared influence, an explicit effort to bridge two major African film-making industries.

For the Nigerian industry, this partnership brings to light the mettle of our filmmakers and the relentless rise in innovation and expertise. The Nollywood is expected to reach a valuation of US$14.82, according to the Premium Times, making it the largest filmmaking industry in Africa.

For the Kenyan industry, it highlights the Kenyan industry’s capacity for major international partnerships, as well as showcases its vast technical crew and acting talent. It shows the potential of the capacity of the Kenyan film-making industry in reaching global recognition.

Finally, the masterpiece movie also reflects the growth of Africa’s film-making industry in general. It is evident that Africa’s film-making prowess is expanding, and it should reach global contribution in a few years if developed properly.

Meiza Nigeria