Golden Mhinutes Pictures‘ cultural horror thriller IDIA continues to build on its international award and festival run, earning three nominations at the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), including Achievement in Soundtrack (Tolu Obanro) Achievement in Costume Design (Johnny Mattiréd), and Best Young and Promising Actor for the film’s titular lead Gbubemi Ejeye.
The nominations mark the biggest milestones yet in IDIA‘s journey, recognizing the film across performance, craft, and sound, and adding pan-African acclaim to a growing list of international festival wins.
Produced by Jasper Aziegbemhin and Directed by Ese Ariremu and Jide JBlaze Oyegbile, IDIA follows a young orphan, played by Ejeye, who is taken in by a wealthy but mysterious couple portrayed by Linda Osifo and Tope Tedela. What initially appears to be a new beginning gradually reveals a darker arrangement involving the couple’s determination to preserve their family lineage.
The AMAA nominations follow a string of international wins for the film. IDIA recently took Best International Feature Film at the Swedish International Film Festival, following a double win at the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival, where it won Best Suspense/Thriller Film and Osifo took Best Actress (Nollywood). The film also picked up three Silver Anhumas at Brazil’s Tietè International Film Awards in Sound Design, Editing, and an acting prize for Ejeye, placing it among the finalists for the festival’s Golden Capybara Awards. Released theatrically across West Africa in 2025, IDIA has since travelled across the international festival circuit, securing selections and nominations in Europe, Asia and more.
For producer and co-writer Jasper Aziegbemhin, the AMAA recognition underscores the case for culturally specific African genre storytelling. “Africa is a continent brimming with culture, ancestry, and folklore that deserve to be told and preserved. An Edo horror film taking up space, it truly takes a believer” Aziegbemhin said. “IDIA is a testament that our cultural stories have a place on the global stage.”
Co-writer and first-time feature director Ariremu echoed that sentiment. “Horror doesn’t always get its due in Nigeria, so these nominations mean everything to me as a first-time feature director,” Ariremu said. “Every recognition that has embraced IDIA has made me feel seen.”
With AMAA nominations now added to its run, the IDIA’s team is looking to build on the momentum with a renewed push toward horror audiences during the upcoming Halloween season.
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