Nollywood shines as it earns several nominations at the 2025 Septimius Award. The Septimius Awards is a award ceremony that showcases the best films and talent from around the world. The Awards ceremony holds in Amsterdam between September 3 – 4, 2025.

Here are the details:

The Serpent’s Gift

Produced by Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi and directed by Kayode Kasum, The Serpent’s Gift earns nominations for Best African Film and Best African Actor (Stan Nze).

Written by Stephen Okonkwo and Mr Mett, it follows a woman who loses her husband under mysterious circumstances. Only to face accusations and conspiracies from her late husband’s family.

The cast includes Tina Mba, Ihuoma Linda Ejiofor, Beverly Osu, Etim Effiong, Inem King, Uche Chika, Chico Aligwekwe and Tracey George. As well as Florence Sunday, Ric Hassani, David Destiny, Nonso Odogwu, Moyinoluwa Olutayo, Marcela Aipoh, Alexander Ayalogu, and Thelma Chukwunwem.

The Serpent’s Gift debuts across West African cinemas on August 29, 2025, distributed by Nile Entertainment.

Grind (Season 2)

Created by Roberta Orioma, the second season of the Nigerian drama series Grind secures a nomination for the Best Series category.

Directed by Orire Nwani and Joshua Tsotso, and produced by Josh Olaoluwa and Roberta Orioma, the series follows Tarela, a young woman who becomes a stripper to support her family and pay for her sister’s education. The show explores survival, ambition, sacrifice, and agency, painting a raw portrait of Lagos nightlife.

Mai Martaba

Nigeria’s 2025 Oscar selection, Mai Martaba earned four nominations: Best African Film, Best Costume Design and Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

Produced by Ghali Abdallah Dz and Prince Daniel, and directed by Prince Daniel. Mai Martaba is a spin-off of the radio drama Kasar Jallaba on 93.1 Arewa Radio. The story is set in an ancient kingdom that once thrived on the Trans-Saharan trade. The prosperity collapses when the Agadashawa ruling clan is torn apart by a power struggle.

The cast includes Adam A. Zango, GhaliAbdallah DZ, Muktar Aminu Haruna, Fatima Mohammed and Tasi’u Ali. In 2024, the feature film premiered in cinemas in Kano, Kastina and Kaduna. But has since not had any other public release.

3 Cold Dishes

Directed by Oluseyi Asurf and written by Tomi Adesina, 3 Cold Dishes secures a spot for Best Screenplay and Best African Actress (Osas Ighodaro).

This revenge thriller, set across Nigeria, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mauritania, explores human trafficking and retribution.

The cast also includes Wale Ojo, Bambadjan Bamba, Amélie Mbaye, Greg Ojefua, Mentor Bâ, Femi Jacobs, Anouble Didier, Tomiwa Sage, Sourou Govoeke, Prescilia, Bayili Fulbert, Didier Nassegande, and Brutus the Actor, bringing a rich ensemble of talent to the screen.

Executively produced by Ighodaro and Burna Boy, 3 Cold Dishes premieres nationwide on November 7, 2025.

Recall

Written, directed, and produced by Kunle Afolayan, Recall has been nominated for Best Producer, Best African Actress (Sharon Ooja) and Best African Actor (Olarotimi Fakunle). 

Recall follows Goke, a devoted husband whose world shatters when his wife loses her memory a day after their 10th wedding anniversary. Suddenly, the life they built together becomes a distant past she cannot recognise. As Goke fights to restore her memory, an unsettling truth looms in the background, threatening to keep them apart forever.

The feature film initially premiered at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2024 before its Nigerian cinema release in April 2025.

This year’s nominations confirm Nollywood’s growing impact on global film stages, with stories that span diverse genres, cultures, and languages.