The Kaduna International Film Festival (KADIFF) returns for its 8th edition with a powerful lineup of global cinematic excellence, celebrating storytellers from Africa and beyond. This year’s nominees reflect the diversity, talent, and cultural richness of the film industry, bringing together entries from Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, Zambia, Russia, India, the United States, and more.
From gripping dramas to animated adventures, documentaries to indigenous narratives, KADIFF 2025 honors the brightest stars and boldest creators lighting up screens worldwide.
Spotlight on Talent: Acting Categories
In the Best Actor (Male) category, powerhouse performances dominate the list. Kelechi Udegbe’s role as Dike in Offshoot, Wole Ojo in Season of Love, and Vugah Samson in Kismet showcase emotional depth and commanding presence, while Sadiq Ahmad (Kakanda) and Adam Garba (Taqdeer) bring compelling authenticity to culturally-rooted stories.
The Best Actress (Female) category is equally rich with performances that resonate. Kehinde Bankole in Offshoot, Mimi Orjiekwe in Goodbye Celine, and Lum Nora in Kismet embody layered and impactful characters that transcend borders.
Global Entries, Local Pride
The festival’s Best Feature Film category is a celebration of cross-cultural narratives, from Juliet Ibrahim’s Healing the Inner Child (Ghana/Nigeria) to Paul S. Wilo’s Service to Heart (Zambia) and The Brattt by Russian director Valeriy Pereverzev. Africa’s film industries continue to rise, and this year’s nominations affirm that the continent’s stories are globally relevant.
KADIFF also gives a platform to Student Films and Experimental Works, proving its commitment to innovation and future generations of filmmakers.
Audience Power: Viewers’ Choice Categories Open
In an exciting twist, fans can also participate by voting in the Viewers’ Choice Awards. Audiences are invited to vote for their favorite actors, films, and short features by sending category codes via SMS to shortcode 205 (MTN users only) at a rate of N100 per vote.
Highlights include:
- Best Film: Healing the Inner Child (BF01), Ivie (BF02), Kisum (BF04)
- Best Actor (Male): Kelechi Udegbe (BAM01), Lateef Adedimeji (BAM03)
- Best Actress (Female): Kehinde Bankole (BAF01), Bimbo Akintola (BAF02)
- Best Indigenous Language Film: Tataburza (BLF01), Seven Doors (BLF05)
- Best Short Film: Time of the Month (BSF01), Bottled Up (BSF05)
Celebrating African Cinema’s Future
Festival director and founder, Audu Kashim Isarel, remarked, “The 8th edition of KADIFF is not just a celebration of film – it’s a movement, a statement that African voices matter and that our stories deserve global recognition.”
As the countdown to the awards night begins, excitement is building. Whether it’s through technical mastery, emotional storytelling, or cultural authenticity, the 2025 KADIFF nominees are set to inspire and ignite conversations across borders.