By 
For too long, the story of Africa has been told through a narrow lens—one of poverty, conflict, and hardship. But a powerful new wave of filmmakers is seizing the camera, not just to challenge this tired narrative, but to shatter it with stories of love, complexity, and undeniable joy.
This movement found its champions as Africa No Filter announced the triumphant winners of its 2025 Africa Narrative Change Film Awards, celebrating the artists who are courageously reshaping how the world sees their home.
A Mission Forged in Love, Not Pity
When Togolese filmmaker Angela Aquereburu created Ahoé, her goal was simple yet profound: to tell a story that felt true. “Ahoé was made with a lot of love for our country, the people, for the stories,” Aquereburu shared, capturing the heartfelt mission driving these creators.
This personal, authentic connection to their craft is what defined the 2025 winners. Alongside Aquereburu, Ugandan animator Alex Musisi was honored for Made in China: Kato’s Wire Car, and Nigerian producer Dalaham Hirse for the romantic drama Finding Nina. Each receives a $6,000 cash prize and a trophy—a vital infusion of recognition and resources for their groundbreaking work.
The Radical Act of Telling a Fuller Story
The awards are more than a competition; they are a core part of Africa No Filter’s mission to dismantle harmful stereotypes. The sentiment that fuels this mission is one of firm defiance.
“We’re tired of seeing Africa reduced to problems, as if conflict, poverty, or corruption are the only stories worth telling. That’s not our truth,” said François Bouda, Arts and Culture Programme Officer at Africa No Filter, his words echoing the frustration of millions. “Africa is full of beauty, complexity, humour, brilliance, and joy. These awards celebrate filmmakers who show the world what Africa really looks like.”
This year, the call was answered louder than ever. For the first time, the public was invited to nominate films, resulting in a flood of nearly 300 submissions from across the continent and its diaspora—a clear signal of a continent eager to tell its own story.
The Winners’ Circle: Stories of Unity, Identity, and Hope
The winning films are powerful testaments to this new narrative direction.
For Nigerian winner Dalaham Hirse, Finding Nina is a direct response to the misrepresentation of his home. “It’s true that we have problems like insecurity, however we also have beautiful cultures and places… things that unite us,” he explained. “This is what we wanted to achieve… This is a great push. We are going to tell more stories that have a positive narrative.”
Meanwhile, Alex Musisi uses the vibrant medium of animation to spark conversations about inclusion. “This is why Kato is deaf. When we tell our own stories we create our own narratives,” he stated, highlighting the deliberate and thoughtful power of self-representation.
A Growing Legacy of Narrative Change
This movement is gaining formidable momentum. The 2025 winners join an inspiring alumni of past recipients, including Jesse Sunkwa-Mills for Asantewaa: Battle for the Golden Stool and Mati Diop for her 2024 documentary Dahomey.
Together, they are building a new library of African cinema—one defined not by what is missing, but by the profound richness of what is there. They are proving that the most revolutionary act is to tell a story with love, authenticity, and the unwavering belief that their truth deserves a global stage.
