Nigeria has officially entered the Emmy conversation. At the 46th News & Documentary Emmy Awards held in New York City, filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson made history, becoming the first Nigerian to win an Emmy. His documentary Madu, a Disney Original co-directed with American filmmaker Matt Ogens, took home the award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary, marking a significant milestone for Nigerian cinema and the continent’s documentary storytelling at large.

From Lagos Rain to Global Recognition

Madu tells the story of Anthony Madu, a 12-year-old ballet dancer from Lagos whose barefoot pirouettes in the rain were captured in a 44-second video that went viral in 2020. The clip amassed over 16 million views and led to Anthony receiving a scholarship to Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK.

The documentary picks up from that moment of virality and follows Anthony’s transition into a new world, away from the crowded streets of Lagos and into the disciplined, high-pressure environment of a world-class ballet academy. What unfolds is a story that blends intimate observational filmmaking with emotional vérité, offering a raw and inspiring portrait of resilience, identity, and what it means to chase a dream across cultures and continents.

A Major First for Nigeria

Kachi Benson’s win at the Emmy Awards is a first for Nigeria, both in the directing chair and for any locally rooted documentary. Madu was not only nominated for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary but also received a nomination for Outstanding Direction in the documentary category. It beat out strong contenders in its field, including As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, Butterfly in the Sky, Hollywood Black, and King Coal.

The documentary, which premiered globally on Disney+ in March 2024, has since travelled the international festival circuit. It was featured at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and screened locally at Lagos’ iREP International Documentary Film Festival, further solidifying its reputation as a cross-cultural success.

The Team Behind the Film

Joel Kachi Benson is no stranger to impact storytelling. He is best known for Daughters of Chibok, a pioneering virtual reality documentary on the 2014 Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping, which won the Venice Lion for Best Immersive Story. In Madu, he joined forces with Matt Ogens, the Academy Award-nominated director behind Audible and ESPN’s 30 for 30: From Harlem with Love. Together, they brought the authenticity of Nigerian lived experience and the polish of international documentary craft into one frame.

The result is a film that is both grounded and global. It showcases how collaborative, cross-border filmmaking can elevate underrepresented voices and lived realities.

A Filmmaker’s Response

Following the win, Benson took to Instagram with a heartfelt message.

“We won an Emmy!!! Times like this I look back and I’m grateful for the journey, the pain, and the progress… It takes a village to raise a child… so I thank EVERYONE who’s been on this journey with me.”

He dedicated the award to Nigeria and to “every child with a dream,” stressing the need to keep telling “authentic and inspiring stories.” His message echoes what Madu itself represents. A triumph of spirit, the value of community, and the undeniable power of storytelling.

Why This Win Matters

Benson’s Emmy win is more than personal recognition. It is a landmark moment for Nigerian documentary filmmaking. In a global industry where African voices are still underrepresented in the major documentary categories, Madu breaks through. It proves that stories from the continent, when told with craft and integrity, can connect on the world stage.

As both an inspiring youth story and a professional benchmark, Madu sets a new precedent. It is a win for storytellers, a win for dreamers, and above all, a win for Nigeria.