What Is 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards

Overview

The 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards celebrated excellence in Nigerian film, spotlighting the most impactful movies, actors, and directors from the 2020–2021 season. Held on December 18, 2021, in Lagos, the event marked its return after a scaled-down virtual edition in 2020 due to the pandemic.

The ceremony honored achievements across over 30 categories, blending industry veterans with emerging talents. Organized by the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards committee, it emphasized professionalism, storytelling, and technical innovation in Nollywood cinema.

• December 18, 2021: The awards ceremony took place live in Lagos, marking a return to in-person events after the 2020 virtual format due to public health restrictions.
• 34 award categories: The event featured competitive sections including Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director, and genre-specific awards like Best Comedy and Best Drama.
• Eligibility period: Films released between January 1, 2020, and June 30, 2021, were considered for nomination and selection.
• Kayode Kasum: The director won Best Director for 'Suga Momma', a comedy-drama that received critical acclaim and strong audience reception.
• Nse Ikpe-Etim: She took home Best Actress for her performance in 'Sisterhood', a film exploring family dynamics and personal betrayal.

How It Works

The Best of Nollywood Awards follows a structured process for nominations, judging, and public engagement. Industry professionals and a review panel determine nominees, with winners selected through a combination of jury evaluation and audience voting in select categories.

• Nomination Process: Eligible films are submitted by producers or distributors; a review committee verifies compliance with release date and format criteria by July 31, 2021.
• Judging Panel: A 15-member jury of film critics, directors, and academics evaluates entries based on acting, script, cinematography, and cultural relevance.
• Audience Voting: Public votes accounted for 30% of the final score in popular categories like Best Actor and Best Movie.
• Final Selection: Winners are determined by a weighted score combining jury evaluation (70%) and audience votes (30%), ensuring balanced representation.
• Award Categories: The 2021 edition included 34 competitive awards, ranging from technical achievements like Best Cinematography to Best Indigenous Language Film.
• Event Production: The ceremony was broadcast live on African Independent Television (AIT) and streamed globally, reaching over 5 million viewers online.

Comparison at a Glance

A comparison of key categories and winners between the 2020 and 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards highlights shifts in trends and recognition.

The 2021 awards saw a shift toward younger directors and socially themed narratives, with 'Sisterhood' and 'Suga Momma' emphasizing family and gender roles. This contrasted with 2020’s focus on crime and morality in 'Citation' and 'Omo Ghetto'. The growing diversity in language and regional storytelling was also evident, with Ibibio-language film 'Uduak's Kitchen' winning in its category.

Why It Matters

The 2021 Best of Nollywood Awards played a vital role in shaping industry standards and elevating Nigerian cinema on the global stage. By recognizing excellence, the event encourages innovation, investment, and international collaboration.

• Industry Recognition: Winning a BON award increases a filmmaker's credibility, often leading to higher-profile projects and funding opportunities.
• Global Exposure: The broadcast reached over 5 million viewers across Africa and the diaspora, boosting Nollywood’s international profile.
• Encourages Diversity: Awards for indigenous language films promote cultural preservation and regional storytelling beyond English-language cinema.
• Supports Emerging Talent: First-time winners like Kayode Kasum gain visibility, inspiring new filmmakers to enter the industry.
• Economic Impact: Award-winning films often see a 20–30% increase in streaming and box office revenue post-ceremony.
• Professional Standards: The rigorous judging process sets benchmarks for scriptwriting, acting, and production quality in Nollywood.

As Nollywood continues to grow as the second-largest film industry by volume, events like the Best of Nollywood Awards help solidify its artistic and economic significance worldwide.