Special Movie Awards 2025 announces final nominees for June 28 grand finale

A total of 39 outstanding films were submitted across various categories, showcasing the vibrant creativity, diverse storytelling, and powerful messages being produced across the continent.

After a careful and independent review by the SMA jury, three finalists have been selected for each of the 16 award categories.

"The final nominations reflect the passion and hard work of filmmakers from countries including The Gambia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria, with stories ranging from cultural heritage and social justice to thrilling dramas and ground-breaking documentaries,” Wilfred Adams, founder of SMA, stated.

“This year’s process consisted of two nomination stages. In the first stage, all 39 submitted films were acknowledged. In the second and final stage, only three films per category have advanced to the final nomination slate. The winners in each category will be determined by the jury and announced at the grand awards ceremony on Saturday 28th of June.”

The unveiling of the final list of nominees was graced by Sierra Leone’s veteran movie maestro Desmond Finney, who had a rapturous flow with organizers of the SMA Awards.

Based on the 39 outstanding films submitted across various categories, after a careful and independent review by the SMA jury, the final nominations are as follows:

1. BEST DOCUMENTARY
2. GCCI Mini Documentary from Gambia by Pixshure
3. Legend of Biri Biri from Nigeria by Pixshure

III. Treasure Women from Gambia by Pixshure

1. BEST SHORT FILM
2. Coup de grâce from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
3. Heritage from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio

III. Wet Trap from Nigeria by Pixshure

1. BEST INDIGENOUS FILM
2. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
3. Myth of the GODS from Sierra Leone by Dora’s Picture

III. Seven Virgins from Gambia by Sunset Films

1. BEST FEATURE FILM
2. Never Enough from Sierra Leone by African Homes

Entertainment

1. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment

III. Safire from Sierra Leone by Awujor Films

1. BEST LEADING MALE ACTOR
2. Ebrima Kanu featured in Coup de grâce
3. Sydney Franky Boyle Feury featured in Safire

III. Marklaw Penant Bangura in Insurmountable

1. BEST LEADING FEMALE ACTRESS
2. Fatoumatta Bets featured in Coup de grâce
3. Isata Faith Bangura featured in Insurmountable

III. Juliet Nanoh featured in Never Enough

1. BEST SUPPORTING MALE ACTOR
2. Fyface featured in Never Enough
3. Jonathan Dumbuya in The Unsung Heroes

III. Emmanuel Bai Kargbo in Blood Brothers

1. BEST SUPPORTING FEMALE ACTRESS
2. Insurmountable - Glady Conteh
3. Hawa Kalokoh featured in Never Enough

III. Florence Sanneh – Seven Virgins

1. BEST DIRECTOR
2. The Ebrimas - Coup de grâce
3. Alie B. Ceesay - Myth of the Gods

III. General Bah - Insurmountable

1. BEST HAIR/MAKEUP ARTIST
2. Insurmountable
3. Myth of the Gods

III. Seven Virgins

1. BEST COSTUMER
2. Coup de grâce - from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
3. Myth of the Gods from Sierra Leone by Basic Movies

Production/ Dora's Picture

III. Seven Virgins from Gambia by Sunset Films

1. BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
2. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment
3. Myth of the Gods from Sierra Leone by Basic Movies

Production/ Dora's Picture

III. Rampage - from Sierra Leone by Dora's Picture

1. BEST SOUND
2. Never Enough
3. Insurmountable

III. Heritage - the Ebrimas

1. BEST EDITOR
2. General Bah - Insurmountable
3. Idrissa Missai – Never Enough

III. The Ebrimas - Coup de grâce

1. BEST PICTURE
2. Never Enough from Sierra Leone by African Homes Entertainment
3. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment

III. Coup de grâce - from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio

1. BEST REGIONAL FILM
2. Coup de grâce - from The Gambia by Horizon edge studio
3. Insurmountable from Sierra Leone by Honey Vision Entertainment

III. Never Enough - from Sierra Leone by African Homes

Entertainment

“We congratulate all the nominees and commend every filmmaker who submitted their work,” Mr Adams said, adding: “SMA 2025 is not just an award ceremony—it is a tribute to African voices, vision, and talent.” The grand award ceremony kick-starts with a red carpet session at 6pm.