Film Screenings and Premieres
The festival opened on August 8 at the Deutsches Filmmuseum with the world premiere of Karma, a feature film produced by Cultural Ambassador and festival curator, Isaac Izoya, and directed by Dr. Henry Obidi. The drama, which examines justice and redemption through the struggles of undocumented immigrants, earned a standing ovation.
Among the distinguished guests at the premiere were Ambassador CG Dr. Yakubu Dadu of the Nigerian Consulate General, Berlinale board member Dorothee Wenner, Frankfurt cultural official Svetlana Svyatskaya, former Super Eagles assistant coach Benjamin James, and diaspora leaders including Dr. Okoro Akinyemi.
Also screened was The Masked King, a suspense thriller produced by Francis Ohazulike and Joshua Cassidy, directed by Patrick Uduak-Obong, which received enthusiastic reviews.
Festival curator Izoya described the event as “a gateway for Africans who now look forward to Frankfurt as an annual cultural holiday destination,” pledging to continue using film for intercultural integration. Ambassador Dadu praised the initiative, calling it “a perfect start to a global celebration of Nollywood.”
NEGA Gala Night
The festival reached its climax on August 9 with the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) Gala Night at Goethe University, Frankfurt, where industry trailblazers were honoured for their creative and cultural contributions.
Awardees included:
- Funke Akindele – Nollywood Highest Grossing Movie Director
- Rita Edochie – Nollywood Evergreen Veteran Actor
Opening the ceremony, Ambassador Dadu paid tribute to late Nigerian entertainment icons and commended Izoya for championing “cultural diplomacy since 2002.”
The evening featured electrifying live performances by Influence Akaba, Stella Pius, Endibanton and others, with DJs keeping the audience entertained into the after-party. Accepting on behalf of awardees, actor Charles Inojie applauded the organizers, stating: “Ehizoya Golden Entertainment has done single-handedly what governments should be doing. Supporting this vision benefits Nigeria, Africa, Germany, and Europe at large.”
Strong Diaspora Support
The event drew high praise from attendees and critics. Dr. Moses Ogun, President of NIDO Germany, called for broader collaboration to expand the festival, while first-time attendee Dr. Emeka Ani described it as “an initiative deserving of full support for Nigeria’s cultural image abroad.”
Veteran critic Madam Tina Omoragbon hailed the 2025 edition as Izoya’s “best event ever,” while Madam Faith Ogoigbe lauded the film screenings and cultural showcases, saying she was already anticipating the 2026 edition.
Building on Legacy
The festival further cemented Frankfurt’s reputation as a European hub for African cinema and intercultural dialogue. Closing the event, Izoya reaffirmed his vision:
“We dream to change the world through film stories. Though we lack capital for productions, we will keep pushing with the hope of support to actualise our dreams. Our motto remains: The Show Must Go On.”
