As all roads lead to the West Africa Insurance Institute in Kotu South on Saturday 28 June for its grand finale, Special Movie Awards 2025 announced final nominees at the weekend at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, setting the stage for a very exciting ending of a prestigious movie awards event that celebrates excellence in African cinema.
A total of 39 outstanding films were submitted across various categories, showcasing the vibrant creativity, diverse storytelling, and powerful messages being produced across the continent.
After a careful and independent review by the SMA jury, three finalists have been selected for each of the 16 award categories.
“The final nominations reflect the passion and hard work of filmmakers from countries including The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, with stories ranging from cultural heritage and social justice to thrilling dramas and ground-breaking documentaries,” Wilfred Adams, founder of SMA, stated.
“This year’s process consisted of two nomination stages. In the first stage, all 39 submitted films were acknowledged. In the second and final stage, only three films per category have advanced to the final nomination slate. The winners in each category will be determined by the jury and announced at the grand awards ceremony on Saturday 28th of June.”
The unveiling of the final list of nominees was graced by Sierra Leone’s veteran movie maestro Desmond Finney, who had a rapturous flow with organizers of the SMA Awards.
Based on the 39 outstanding films submitted across various categories, after a careful and independent review by the SMA jury, the final nominations are as follows:
1. BEST DOCUMENTARY
I. GCCI Mini Documentary from Gambia by Pixshure
II. Legend of Biri Biri from Nigeria by Pixshure
III. Treasure Women from Gambia by Pixshure
2. BEST SHORT FILM
I. Coup de grâce from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
II. Heritage from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
III. Wet Trap from Nigeria by Pixshure
3. BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
I. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
II. Myth of the GODS from Sierra Leone by Dora’s Picture
III. Seven Virgins from Gambia by Sunset Films
4. BEST FEATURE FILM
I. Never Enough from Sierra Leone by African Homes
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II. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
III. Safire from Sierra Leone by Awujor Films
5. BEST LEADING MALE ACTOR
I. Ebrima Kanu featured in Coup de grâce
II. Sydney Franky Boyle Feury featured in Safire
III. Marklaw Penant Bangura in Insurmountable
6. BEST LEADING FEMALE ACTRESS
I. Fatoumatta Bets featured in Coup de grâce
II. Isata Faith Bangura featured in Insurmountable
III. Juliet Nanoh featured in Never Enough
7. BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR
I. Fyface featured in Never Enough
II. Jonathan Dumbuya in The Unsung Heroes
III. Emmanuel Bai Kargbo in Blood Brothers
8. BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTRESS
I. Insurmountable – Glady Conteh
II. Hawa Kalokoh featured in Never Enough
III. Florence Sanneh – Seven Virgins
9. BEST DIRECTOR
I. The Ebrimas – Coup de grâce
II. Alie B. Ceesay – Myth of the Gods
III. General Bah – Insurmountable
10. BEST HAIR/MAKEUP ARTIST
I. Insurmountable
II. Myth of the Gods
III. Seven Virgins
11. BEST COSTUMER
I. Coup de grâce – from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
II. Myth of the Gods from Sierra Leone by Basic Movies
Production/ Dora’s Picture
III. Seven Virgins from Gambia by Sunset Films
12. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
I. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
II. Myth of the Gods from Sierra Leone by Basic Movies
Production/ Dora’s Picture
III. Rampage – from Sierra Leone by Dora’s Picture
13. BEST SOUND
I. Never Enough
II. Insurmountable
III. Heritage – the Ebrimas
14. BEST EDITOR
I. General Bah – Insurmountable
II. Idrissa Missai – Never Enough
III. The Ebrimas – Coup de grâce
15. BEST PICTURE
I. Never Enough from Sierra Leone by African Homes Entertainment
II. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
III. Coup de grâce – from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
16. BEST REGIONAL FILM
I. Coup de grâce – from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
II. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
III. Never Enough – from Sierra Leone by African Homes
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“We congratulate all the nominees and commend every filmmaker who submitted their work,” Mr Adams said, adding: “SMA 2025 is not just an award ceremony—it is a tribute to African voices, vision, and talent.” The grand award ceremony kick-starts with a red carpet session at 6pm.
