Nigerian production designer and art director, Haruna Hassan has been honoured with the InShort Award for Best Production Designer for his work on the film Edeleyo. The award recognises his outstanding contribution to the film’s visual storytelling and the carefully crafted environments that shaped its overall look and emotional impact.
In Edeleyo, Haruna Hassan built detailed and culturally grounded sets that helped bring the story to life. Through thoughtful use of space, props and colour, he created a visual world that supported the characters and strengthened the mood of the film. Every location was designed to feel authentic and lived-in, allowing audiences to connect more deeply with the narrative.
The recognition from the InShort Awards also highlights the growing appreciation for technical and creative professionals behind the camera in Nollywood. Production designers play a key role in establishing time, place and atmosphere, yet their contributions are often less visible to the public. This award brings deserved attention to the craft and the level of skill required to execute it successfully.
Haruna Hassan has built a strong reputation across both television and film. He has worked on major Africa Magic series such as Tinsel, Hush, Hotel Majestic and other widely watched productions that have set high standards for Nigerian television. His feature film work includes titles like Bride Untangled, Mimi and Choke which just recently released in the cinemas, where his focus on realism and detail helped create believable and visually engaging environments.
Colleagues in the industry describe him as a research-driven and disciplined designer who places great importance on cultural accuracy and narrative clarity. His approach involves close collaboration with directors, cinematographers and costume designers to ensure that every visual element works together cohesively.
Winning the InShort Award for Edeleyo marks an important milestone in his career. It reflects years of consistent work, creative growth and dedication to improving the visual quality of Nigerian productions. It also positions him among the leading production designers contributing to Nollywood’s evolving global image.
As Nigerian cinema continues to expand its reach and compete on international platforms, the demand for strong visual storytelling will only increase. Professionals like Haruna Hassan are central to this progress, helping to ensure that Nigerian films are not only compelling in performance and narrative but also rich in visual identity and production value.His achievement on Edeleyo stands as both a personal success and a broader recognition of the essential role production design plays in the future of Nollywood.
