By Ademuyiwa Balikis
The 2025 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have turned into a showcase of Nigerian creativity and cinematic ambition, with homegrown films commanding top spots across major categories. At the forefront of this year’s nominations are Lisabi (The Uprising) and 3 Cold Dishes, two powerful productions that embody the evolving face of Nollywood, one rooted in history, the other driven by contemporary emotion.
Announced ahead of the main ceremony scheduled for November 9, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, the AMAA nominations confirm Nigeria’s continuing dominance in African cinema.
With seven nominations, Lisabi (The Uprising), directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, stands tall among this year’s top contenders. The historical epic tells the story of Egba hero Lisabi, who led a rebellion against oppression in the 18th century.
The film’s nominations include Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role (Lateef Adedimeji), Achievement in Makeup, Achievement in Visual Effects, Best Film in an African Language, and the NFVCB Best Nigerian Film Award.
Beyond its awards potential, Lisabi has generated massive buzz for its cultural depth, technical precision, and use of Yoruba language, an approach that has drawn praise from both critics and audiences across Africa.
In what many see as a tight race, 3 Cold Dishes follows closely behind. The film, directed by Asurf Oluseyi, is an emotional drama that explores revenge, justice, and the complex layers of trauma.
It earned nominations in Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Editing, and NFVCB Best Nigerian Film.
The film’s ensemble cast, led by Osas Ighodaro and Fat Toure, has been praised for its intensity and depth, while its visual storytelling and crisp editing have drawn comparisons to some of the best international festival films.
While Lisabi and 3 Cold Dishes dominate the spotlight, other Nigerian entries like Freedom Way, The Serpent Gift, Amanayanbo, Red Circle, Recall, and The Masked King also hold their ground in key categories.
Tina Mba’s performance in The Serpent Gift earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress, while Shaffy Bello’s lead role in The Masked King landed her a Best Actress nomination. Red Circle and Freedom Way received attention in technical categories, signaling Nigeria’s growing attention to production quality and storytelling diversity.
With multiple Nigerian films nominated across top categories, the 2025 AMAA is shaping up as a celebration of Nollywood’s range from the cultural grandeur of Lisabi to the emotional sharpness of 3 Cold Dishes and the stylistic experimentation of The Serpent Gift and Red Circle.
Critics believe this year’s contest will not only determine the best film but also define the creative direction of the Nigerian film industry as it seeks to balance cultural preservation with global storytelling standards.
As the continent’s most prestigious film award prepares for its November gala, all eyes are on Lagos, and on whether Lisabi (The Uprising) can turn its seven nominations into a historic win, or if 3 Cold Dishes will serve its revenge in the form of an AMAA sweep.
