Wednesday, October 8th, 2025

The Filmjoint Awards 2026: Wapah Ezeigwe’s ‘Shall We Meet Tonight’ Earns Most Nominations (See Full List)

The Filmjoint Awards have announced nominations for their 2026 edition, recognising achievements in short filmmaking. At the press briefing held last Friday, Oct 3, the Filmjoint project manager, Sonia John, noted that a total of 72 films were submitted for consideration this year, with 68 shortlisted across various categories. Leading the nominations is Wapah Ezeigwe’s Shall We Meet Tonight with eight, followed by Myde Glover’s Isekonu with seven, and On Our Skin (co-directed by Abiodun Udom and Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel) with six.

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The awards, which celebrate storytelling in short films, saw Moses Ipadeola’s Ekun Iyawo: A Tale of A Runaway Bride among last year’s top winners with four award wins, including Best African Film. 

This edition introduces a new category NAIFF Award for Best AI Film, in collaboration with the newly launched Naija AI Film Festival, a recognition of AI-driven storytelling. As with previous editions, the awards are divided into voting and non-voting categories. The awards ceremony is scheduled for February 2026.

Here are the 2026 nominees for The Filmjoint Awards:

Best International Film (non-voting) 

Thomas Negovan – Aurora (United States) 
Levgen Koshyn – Chop Chop! (United Kingdom) 
Adi Alfa – Bleached Out (United Kingdom) 
Stacey Darkwaah Duah – The Wilderness (United Kingdom) 
Trevor Hardy – Buckshot (United Kingdom)

Best African Film (non-voting)

Barbara Minishi – Inheritance (Kenya) 
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight (Nigeria)
Myde Glover, Morenikeji Uka – Irin Ajo (The Journey) (Nigeria) 
Myde Glover – Isekonu (Nigeria) 
Maurice Muendo – The Date (Kenya) 
Abisola Ajayi – Ogbanje (Nigeria)

Best Indigenous Film (non-voting) 

Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel  –  Isekonu 
Nathaniel Deme – Ogbanje 
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too Crave Death 
Fayomi Temitope Samson – Anfani Ikeyin (Chance Medley)  
Joy Nmezi – Slot
Kolade Mann – Ovisa

Best Picture (non-voting)

Thomas Negovan, Danielle Montana – Aurora 
Bisi Alimi, Lanre Njoku – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Ivy Kiru –  Inheritance 
Mel Rouge – Toll Free 
Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi-Nze – Unbound 
Somto Ihezue, Bella Nadia Bemighi, Emmy Williams & Oreoluwa Obadofin – On Our Skin 
Eugene Koshin – Chop Chop

Best Director

Wapah Ezeigwe  – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Joy Nmezi – Slot
James Amuta, Mel Rouge – Toll Free 
Abiodun Udom, Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel  – On Our Skin 
Peter Inyang – Unbound 
Kolade Mann – Ovisa 
Ayomide A. Coker – Two Of Us

Best Cinematography

Ayoola Oladimeji – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Ifeme C.S – Slot 
Ubong Ofong – Ovisa
Joseph Oladunjoye – Toll Free 
Oluwaseun Sodeke – Mara 
Tosin Igho – Unbound 
Oyedokun ‘Davoy’ David – Two Of Us

Best Production Design

Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Lancy Artistry – Isekonu 
Babatunde Oluwashogo – Ovisa 
Nneka Jane Mekwunye – On Our Skin 
Tega Obahor – Nightmare 
Stanley Okeke, Mayowa Damilare – Slot 
Oluwatomiwa Otun – Mara

Best Sound Overall

McPherson Aghah – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Idono Onyemunosa-Ibeeabuchi – Slot 
Elias Gbadebo – On Our Skin 
Kolade Mann – Ovisa 
Davison Onyemali – The Cry 
Adams Ilia Smith, Joseph Bankole – Unbound 
Elias Gbadebo – Ebiren Re

Best Actor In A Leading Role

Moshood Fattah – Slot
Seun Ajayi – Mofe 
Korede Lawal – On Our Skin 
Anthony Nwahiri – Song Of Solomon 
Cheyi Okoaye – Cause, Effect & Maybe Consequence 
Nwankwo Kingsley Obi – To The He Who Wants Nothing More 
Josiah Chuks Adigwe – Beneath The Surface

Best Actress In A Leading Role 

Goodness Emmanuel – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Adunolaoluwa Osilowo – Isekonu
Jessica Gabriel’s Ujah – Echoes 
Chinaza Ezeani – The Cry
Chinelo Ejianwu – Unbound 
Hauwa ‘Nananikeji’ Issa – Inside Of Me 
Diekola Blessing – Two Of Us

Best Screenplay (Original Or Adapted) (Non-Voting) 

Myde Glover – Irin Ajo 
Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel – Isekonu 
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too Crave Death 
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader 
Ufouma Bakporhe – Two Hearts One Soul 
Tobi Hassan – The Cry 
Thecla Uzozie – Unbound

Best Costume Design

Olufisayo Sholaja – Isekonu 
Latifat Ifunaya Jadesimi – On Our Skin 
Ohlanna Bu Zikora – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Jadesimi Latifat Ifunanya – Ovisa 
Adunjesu Pedro – Toll Free 
Precious Araromi – Mara 
Olamide Awodire – Echoes

Best Make-Up/Sfx

Maureen Ebhodaghe – On Our Skin 
Josephine Olukoju – Àńfàní Ìkẹyìn (Chance Medley) 
Deola Soneye – Nightmare 
Anuoluwapo Fayenuwo – Two Of Us 
Maureen Ebhodaghe – Ebiren Re 
Modupe Durojaiye – Song Of Solomon 
Omalicha – Isekonu

Best Film Editing

Tobi Hassan – The Cry 
Taofik Ahmed, Darlington Odor, Godspower Emmanuel – Mofe
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader
Enobong Albert – Song Of Solomon 
Oloyede Lch Luthman – To He Who Wants Nothing More 
Olamilekan Adedayo – Inside Of Me 
Taofik Ahmed, Darlington Odor, Godspower Emmanuel – Ovisa

Best Documentary Film

Shedrack Salami – Beyond Olympic Glory 
Annabelle Ayangbade – What I Do Not Know Will Not Kill Me 
Celestina Aleobua – Tina When Will You Marry 
Ian Gituku – Toes Down
Damola Adewale, Makinde Oluwaseyifunmi – Henry, Reporting 
Shittu Abdulafiz – The Grief

Best Student Film

Yinka Ikubuwaje – Omo Eko (Nigeria) 
Olabode Isreal Ibukunoluwa, Oghenekevwe Okporuwa – The Samaritan (Nigeria) 
Ivande Miracle Ikyegh –  Photoshoot (Nigeria) 
Kevin Mukama – Please Wait (Uganda) 
Christopher Leisewitz, Obakeng  Malete – Isithunzi (South Africa)
Refilwe Thaka  – Switched Perception

Jury Award For Outstanding Storytelling (Non-Voting) 

Thomas Negovan – Aurora 
Wapah Ezeigwe – Shall We Meet Tonight 
Barbara Minishi – Inheritance 
Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel – Isekonu 
Peter Inyang – Unbound 
Levgen Koshyn – Chop Chop

Filmjoint Award For Voice Of Impact (Non-Voting)

Myde Glover – Isekonu 
Joy Nmezi – Slot 
Mel Rouge – Toll Free 
Wisdom Deji-Folutile – Able Leader 
Uchenna Ugwu – I Too Crave Death 
Enobong Albert – Song Of Solomon 
Stan Nze, Blessing Obasi Nze – Unbound

NAIFF Award For Best AI Film 

David Mgbeahuru – Godzilla In Lagos (Nigeria) 
Promise Awoji – Courage (Nigeria) 
Gurkan Atakan – The Root (Turkiye) 
Jimena Aguilar – Finnish And Paranoid Dream (Argentina)
Stephen Shenboyejo – Dead Drop (Nigeria)

Voting for The Filmjoint Awards 2026 is open until November 6. To vote, visit filmjoint.com, choose your preferred nominees in each category, and submit your votes before the deadline. Each person can only vote once, while Filmjoint members can vote for free.

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