Oprah, RMD, Vivica Fox, Dalyboy Lead 2015 NAFCA Nominee Lineup

By Ayodele Efunla

The buzz is building as the Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) prepares to roll out the red carpet this September for its fifth edition. Dubbed the “African Oscars,” NAFCA continues its tradition of celebrating excellence in African cinema and diaspora film projects, and this year’s nominees list is proof of how far the industry has come.

Founded in 2011 by Dr. Victor O. Olatoye, NAFCA was created to spotlight outstanding contributions to African film, with its inaugural ceremony taking place in North Carolina, USA. Since then, it has grown into an international platform for African filmmakers and diaspora talents alike. Now held in Hollywood, the event is set for its biggest year yet, as Dr. Olatoye proudly noted, citing over 150 film submissions from across Africa and the diaspora.

This year, Oloibiri leads the nominations, scoring 16 nods across various categories, closely followed by Jeta Amata’s politically charged Black November with 13 nominations. Oloibiri, a gripping drama based on true events about Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta, received acclaim for its cinematography, screenplay, sound, and powerful performances from veterans like Richard Mofe Damijo (RMD) and Olu Jacobs.

Adding excitement to the diaspora category is Heart Breaker’s Revenge (Ex Games), a steamy, suspense-filled drama written and produced by Dalyboy Belgason. The film, featuring stars like Van Vicker, Sarodj Bertin, and Bimbo Ademoye, weaves a tale of betrayal, lust, and shocking revenge. It’s nominated for Best Film – Diaspora, Best Actor in a Leading Role – Diaspora for Van Vicker, Best Actress in a Leading Role – Diaspora for Brittany Mayti, and Best Director – Diaspora for Dalyboy Belgason himself.

International icons such as Oprah Winfrey (Selma), Vivica A. Fox (30 Days in Atlanta), and Jamie Foxx (Annie) also earned spots on the nominees list. Oprah is up for Best Supporting Actress in a Foreign Film, while Vivica A. Fox received dual nominations for her performances in both African and foreign productions.

On the homefront, Nollywood heavyweights Richard Mofe Damijo, Ayo Makun, Mike Ezuruonye, and Juliet Ibrahim headline the acting categories. RMD’s standout role in Oloibiri earned him a nod for Best Actor in a Leading Role, while Juliet Ibrahim competes for Best Actress for her performance in Shattered Romance.

The competition for Best Film features titles like Black November, Affairs of the Heart, Oloibiri, Chronicle of Blizzard, and Kingmakers, offering a mix of political thrillers, romantic dramas, and cultural tales. 30 Days in Atlanta, the record-breaking Nollywood comedy, also picked up nominations in comedy and acting categories.

Diaspora entries were not left out, with Pound of Flesh, Affairs of the Heart, Kingmakers, The Portrait, and Heart Breaker’s Revenge competing for Best Film – Diaspora. The inclusion of these films underscores NAFCA’s commitment to uniting African stories, no matter where they’re told.

Beyond the competitive categories, NAFCA 2015 will honor distinguished personalities with lifetime and humanitarian awards. Legendary Ghanaian ruler, His Majesty Otumfuo Dr. Osei Tutu II, will receive the Legend Award. President Macky Sall of Senegal and President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo will be honored for their contributions to African development.

In cinema, veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs and Hollywood’s Marla Gibbs will be celebrated for their lifelong work in film. Additional honors include Image Awards for Sonja Norwood and Genevieve Nnaji, and a Literary Arts Award for Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka.

As anticipation builds for the ceremony in September, Dr. Olatoye expressed confidence that this edition will be NAFCA’s most memorable yet. “We’re seeing remarkable improvements in the quality of African films, and this year’s nominations reflect that progress,” he said.

The star-studded event will bring together filmmakers, actors, producers, and industry stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, reinforcing the growing global influence of African storytelling.

In all, NAFCA 2015 not only honors the best in African cinema but also serves as a platform for bridging African and diaspora filmmakers with the larger Hollywood ecosystem. With icons like Oprah, Vivica Fox, RMD, and Dalyboy sharing the spotlight, the fifth edition promises to be a celebration of cultural pride, cinematic excellence, and creative ambition.