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 ten, followed by Myde Glover’s Isekonu with nine, and On Our Skin (co-directed by Abiodun Udom and Adejo ‘Story Priest’ Emmanuel) with seven.
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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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(Updated 09/10/2025): The article has been updated to state the correct number of total individual nominations for Shall We Meet Tonight, Isekonu and On Our Skin.
