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THE 78TH FESTIVAL DE CANNES WINNERS’ LIST
The Jury of the 78th Festival de Cannes, chaired by French actress Juliette Binoche, surrounded by American actress and filmmaker Halle Berry, Indian director and screenwriter Payal Kapadia, Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher, French-Moroccan writer Leïla Slimani, Congolese director, documentarist and producer Dieudo Hamadi, Korean director and screenwriter Hong Sangsoo, Mexican director, screenwriter and producer Carlos Reygadas and American actor Jeremy Strong, presented its winners’ list among the 22 films presented in Competition this year.
Feature Films
Palme d’or
UN SIMPLE ACCIDENT
Jafar PANAHI
Grand Prix
AFFEKSJONSVERDI
(SENTIMENTAL VALUE)
Joachim TRIER
Joint Jury Prize
SIRÂT
Oliver LAXE
SOUND OF FALLING
Mascha SCHILINSKI
Best Director
Kleber MENDONÇA FILHO for O AGENTE SECRETO (THE SECRET AGENT)
Best Screenplay
Jean-Pierre DARDENNE & Luc DARDENNE for JEUNES MÈRES
Best performance by an actress
Nadia MELLITI in LA PETITE DERNIÈRE directed by Hafsia HERZI
Best performance by an actor
Wagner MOURA in O AGENTE SECRETO (THE SECRET AGENT) directed by Kleber MENDONÇA FILHO
Special Award
KUANG YE SHI DAI (RESURRECTION)
Bi GAN
Short Films
Palme d’or
I’M GLAD YOU’RE DEAD NOW
Tawfeek BARHOM
Special Mention
ALI
Adnan AL RAJEEV
Un Certain Regard
Un Certain Regard Prize
LA MISTERIOSA MIRADA DEL FLAMENCO (THE MYSTERIOUS GAZE OF THE FLAMINGO)
Diego CÉSPEDES
1st film
Jury Prize
UN POETA (A POET)
Simón MESA SOTO
Best Directing
Arab & Tarzan NASSER
for Once Upon a Time in Gaza
Best Actor
Frank DILLANE
in Urchin directed by Harris Dickinson
Best Actress
Cleo DIÁRA
in O Riso e a Faca (I Only Rest in the Storm)
directed by Pedro Pinho
Best Screenplay
PILLION
Harry LIGHTON
1st film
Caméra d’or
Caméra d’or Prize
THE PRESIDENT’S CAKE
Hasan HADI
Directors’ Fortnight
Special Mention
MY FATHER’S SHADOW
Akinola DAVIES JR
Un Certain Regard
La Cinef
First Prize
FIRST SUMMER
Heo GAYOUNG
KAFA, South Korea
Second Prize
12 MOMENTS BEFORE THE FLAG-RAISING CEREMONY
QU Zhizheng
Beijing Film Academy, China
Joint Third Prize
GINGER BOY
Miki TANAKA
ENBU Seminar, Japan
WINTER IN MARCH
Natalia MIRZOYAN
Estonian Academy of Arts, Estonia
*LAW, PASSION AND PURPOSE : THE EFERE LEGACY*
There are people whose presence quietly but powerfully shapes an industry. Efere was one of them. For him , Law wasn’t just a profession. It was his calling, his essence. With entertainment law and Nollywood, Efere wasn’t a practitioner. He was the heartbeat of it. A visionary who saw not just contracts and clauses but culture, creativity, and the need for structure in Nollywood’s chaotic brilliance.
I remember those nights at Transcorp Hilton. He had just opened his Abuja office. He would head to my room at night, sometimes with his cousin, Kaine. “Ziiik, order food and let’s talk business,” he would scream from the door with that familiar glint in his eyes. And business for Efere wasn’t just deals. It was dreams. It was about how Nollywood could grow, how artists could be protected, and how our stories could find legal strength.From dissecting the loopholes in contracts to IP protection, his passion was relentless.
Zik Zulu Okafor: We would laugh when he’d throw his hands up and say, “Wetin Lawyers dey do sef ?”. That was his pet project that started with publications and then visits to primary and secondary schools to give the pupils some basic ideas about law and to simplify the profession.
In Nollywood, Efere carried the burden of a legal system that hadn’t yet caught up with the creative explosion around it, and still, he pushed forward.
He gave his time, his thoughts, his energy, everything to the pursuit of justice for creatives. But in the end, Nollywood, for all its sparkle, did not repay his sacrifices. The industry he gave so much to never truly gave back, and that is a hard truth to swallow. Nollywood was still grappling with understanding itself, preferring ” sharp, sharp money ” to a convoluted legal process. So, Efere preached the legal homily well, gave lectures, and held workshops. Nollywood understood Efere’s value . They appreciated both his creative and legal destinations. But an industry economically ruled by whim wasn’t quite ready to pay seriously for legal services.
Hmmmmm. Then, the news snuck in. Like a breeze of silent mystery. Efere was gone. Dead. His passing was sudden, shocking, confounding, a tragic drama with no warning, no final act. Yet, his life was a masterpiece of purpose. He showed us what it means to be devoted. He taught us that change begins with conviction, even if the world doesn’t yet see the value of what you’re fighting for. He was a profile in courage.
May the memory of his life be a blessing.
May the seeds he planted in law and in love for the creative industry grow beyond his years.
May his soul find the peace this world didn’t always afford him.
Rest well, Efere, my guy. You remain unforgettable, yes, yes.
Peace
by Zik ZuLu Okafor : (Writer, Actor, Director, Producer & Former President of Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria)
ARENA WARS 2045
Synopsis
In 2045 convicted criminals are given the opportunity to compete on the world’s #1 televised sporting event, Arena Wars. They must survive 7 rooms and 7 of the most vicious killers in the country. If they win, they regain their freedom
Tracy Obonna is an award-winning actress, producer, entrepreneur, former professional volleyball player, and UN Peace Ambassador. She has starred in acclaimed films such as Double Dekoi, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and Arena Wars, acquired by Paramount Studios Plus. Recognized for her talent and contributions to the industry, she was honored with the Best Acting Achievement Award 2024 by Mayor Patrick Brown.
Beyond the entertainment world, Tracy is a respected businesswoman and branding expert, securing high-profile collaborations and sponsorships. With a background in professional volleyball, she embodies resilience and dedication in every endeavor. Holding a doctorate, she is committed to education, global advocacy, and using her platform to inspire change. As a UN Peace Ambassador, she champions initiatives that promote peace and empowerment worldwide.
THE WINNERS OF THE 15TH EDITION EKO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 2025
BEST FEATURE FILM
THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABOND QUEEN OF LAGOS by AS AS Elijah, Akinmuyiwa Bisola, Edukpo Tina, James Taylor, Matthew Cerf, Okechukwu Samuel, Ogungbamila Temitope (Nigeria)
BEST NIGERIAN FEATURE
THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABOND QUEEN OF LAGOS by AS AS Elijah, Akinmuyiwa Bisola, Edukpo Tina, James Taylor, Matthew Cerf, Okechukwu Samuel, Ogungbamila Temitope (Nigeria)
BEST FEATURE DOCUMENTARY FILM (JOINT WINNERS)
EBROHIMIE ROAD: A Museum of Memory by Kola Tubosun (Nigeria)
OKHALDHUNGA by Marcel Weiß (Germany)
BEST SHORT DOCUMENTARY FILM
THE POWER OF INTENTION by Karolis Špinkis (Germany)
BEST SHORT FILM
ÉTOILES BRISÉES (SHATTERED STARS) by Lingouala Malcome (France)
BEST NIGERIA SHORT FILM
T’EGBON T’ABURO (Siblings) Short Film directed by Orire Lucky Nwani ( Nigeria)
BEST ACTOR
FEMI JACOBS – ANJOLA Feature Film directed by Great Valentine Edochie (Nigeria)
BEST ACTRESS
TEMILOLUWA AMI-WILLIAMS – THE LEGEND OF THE VAGABOND QUEEN OF LAGOS by AS AS Elijah, Akinmuyiwa Bisola, Edukpo Tina, James Taylor, Matthew Cerf, Okechukwu Samuel, Ogungbamila Temitope (Nigeria)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR MALE
BRIAN JERVAY – SOME KIND OF JUSTICE by Brian Jervay (USA)
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR FEMALE
HAYLEY SQUIRES – NO WAY HOME Feature by Yousaf Ali Khan (USA)
BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
ADUNNI OGIDAN’BIRIN (THE DEFIANT CRUSADER) Indigenous by Yemi Amodu (Nigeria)
BEST ANIMATION FILM
SPACE STATION VILLAGE EP8 by Yi-Feng Kao (Taiwan)
EKO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL 15TH EDITION KICKS OFF MAY 5-9,2025
Eko international film festival is one of the largest film festivals in the African continent. It is a key part of our cultural infrastructure that inspires the country and the world at large. The 15th edition is a milestone themed to celebrate our journey so far endorsed by Lagos State Government. Join us from April 21-26, 2025, as we commemorate the 15th edition of the Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF). This prestigious event highlights the best in cinematic arts and promotes cultural appreciation through film
The Nigerian Nollywood film industry will fully participate in this festival with their films submitted, including submissions from over 55 countries around the globe.
The President/Founder Eko International Film Festival stated that this festival has been hosted in Lagos State as long as fourteen years before now and it promotes the culture of cinematic projection and the hospitality that Lagos State commands through entertainment, tourism and cultural heritage.
We will be showcasing different films from all genre of life including the works from our Nigerian film industry, The festival has done over the years in promoting diverse voices and exceptional storytelling within Africa especially and have created valuable opportunities for African filmmakers by enriching programming with fresh, compelling contents from across the continents. Venue: Viva Cinemas Jara Mall Ikeja
Hope Obioma Opara President / Founder Eko International Film Festival
“THE BITTER FEMINIST” DOCUDRAMA SERIES
SYNOPSIS “The Bitter Feminist,” a compelling narrative documentary exploring the challenges, stereotypes, and systemic oppression women face in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa. The series examines the intersectionality of feminism through the powerful narrative of Ringret, a young woman from Northern Nigeria who survived rape and forced marriage. “The Bitter Feminist” amplifies women’s voices, demanding a radical re-evaluation of societal structures and gender inequities.
Created by Daniel Chukwuemeka and Ijeoma Chinonyerem,
The docuseries will premiere at the iRep festival in Lagos in March 2025 “This project is significant to us,” says Ijeoma Chinonyerem, co-creator of the series. “It’s about giving voice to the women whose stories often go unheard and challenging the narratives perpetuating inequality. We hope ‘The Bitter Feminist’ sparks conversations and inspires real change.”
The five-episode series delves into the lives of women who identify as feminists, showcasing their defiance of traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Ringret’s story powerfully demonstrates female resilience and resistance.
Through candid interviews and impactful storytelling, “The Bitter Feminist” illuminates the cultural, religious, and socio-economic factors influencing the struggle for gender equality. Each episode addresses a critical issue: pervasive misogyny, the devastating consequences of child marriage, restrictive gender roles, the complexities of consent, and the realities of transactional sex. The narrative docuseries critically examines the cultural and institutional barriers perpetuating gender oppression while celebrating women’s unwavering determination to challenge these norms.
“The Bitter Feminist” was produced by Isaac Newton Akah and directed by the talented director Priye Diri. The film showcases the voices and ideas of accomplished women and will leave viewers feeling empowered and motivated. Presented by HardFacts Studios
TIWA SAVAGE ON DAVIDO
“Anyone who hates Davido is just bitter. That man is the hardest-working artist in Africa.” – Tiwa Savage
“Davido is incredibly hardworking. He understands that even if you come from a wealthy background, it doesn’t mean you’re exempt from working hard. Just because your parents are rich doesn’t mean you have automatic access to their wealth, because that’s what they worked for. And even if they’ve given you a head start, you still have to make a name for yourself. Davido understands this. He works every day like someone who has nothing. Sometimes, when I see how hard Davido works, I wonder if he even remembers he comes from a wealthy family. He inspires and motivates me to work harder. I should be as hardworking as him.” – Tiwa Savage
