The 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival closed last week and the festival top prize, Palme d’Or, was awarded to Iranian director, Jafar Panahi, for his brilliant film, It Was Just An Accident. The film, which is directly inspired by his time in prison, follows five characters who assumed they have identified the prosecutor who tortured them during their own arrests — but as they were all blindfolded in jail, none can be entirely certain their captive is the same man. Winning the Palme d’Or represents a major vindication for Panahi’s persistence since after his first arrest and conviction for alleged propaganda against the Iranian regime in 2010. The prize also represents a win for an Iranian filmmaker since a fellow Iranian Abbas Kiarostami got a split prize in 1997 with his ‘Taste of Cherry’. ” I think it’s the moment to ask everyone, all the Iranians with opinions different from others, in Iran and throughout the world…” Panahi said after he received the Palme. “I would like to ask them one thing: Put all the problems and differences aside.

The most important thing is surely our country and the freedom of our country,” he added even as he thanked his family for their support as well as the team that took the risk to make the film. Norwegian director Joachim Trier’s layered family drama Sentimental Value was awarded the Grand Prix. Other winners include, Nadia Melliti who got the best actress award for her role in Little Sister, Wagner Moura who received the best actor award for his role in The Secret Agent and the screen play prize which went to to Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne for Young Mothers. The jury prize was split between Spanish director Olivier Laxe for Sirat and Sound of Falling from German director Mascha Schilinski. The Camera d’Or for first feature was awarded to Hasan Hadi for his ‘The President’s Cake’. Hadi walked into history books as the first Iraqi filmmaker to receive an award in Cannes. The other winners include Kleber Mendonca Filho The Secret Agent for directing and Camera D’Or special mention which went to Nigeria’s first entry at the Cannes Akinola Davies Jr’s My Father’s Shadow.

THE highly anticipated feature film, KARMA, produced by renowned cultural ambassador Isaac Izoya, is set to make its world premiere on August 8, 2025, at the iconic Deutsches Filmmuseum Cinema in Frankfurt am Main. This prestigious venue, nestled in the heart of the city and overlooking the scenic Rhine River, will serve as the official opening night location of the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) 2025.

The premiere of KARMA marks a major milestone for the film’s cast and crew and stands as a highlight of this year’s festival, which celebrates the richness and diversity of African cinema on a global stage. The Deutsches Filmmuseum, renowned for its cinematic legacy and cultural significance, provides an ideal backdrop for this historic debut. “We are honoured to premiere KARMA at such a historic and respected venue,” said Isaac Izoya, producer of the film and director of the festival. “This project represents one of the most powerful narratives of African storytelling in the Diaspora, brought to life by a dynamic cast and a compelling message that resonates worldwide.” The movie delves into themes of love, deception, justice, and redemption. Set against the backdrop of undocumented immigrant experiences, the film captures the emotional and moral dilemmas they face, ultimately celebrating the transformative power of truth and compassion. Directed by Dr. Henry Emeka Obidi and screen played by Oluwagbemiga Idahosa, KARMA brings together an impressive ensemble of stars from both Nollywood – Nigeria and Germany. The cast includes Alex Usifo, Ngozi Ezeonu, Sarian Martin Oruene, Isaac Izoya, Marie Cloos, Sophie Stelker, Chioma Akuezue, Melisa Ngongang, and Festus Ekhator among others. The Nollywood Film Festival Germany continues on August 9, 2025, culminating in the prestigious Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA), where outstanding achievements in African cinema and cultural promotion are recognized. The Nollywood Film Festival Germany is an annual cultural showcase dedicated to promoting Nigerian and African cinema, fostering cross-cultural exchange, and serving as an educational platform for both lovers of African heritage and second-generation Africans in the Diaspora. Information about the festival can be sourced from: www.nollywoodawards.com

CLOUT Media Limited, organisers of the acclaimed Women in Media Conference and Awards have announced the inaugural Reel Women International Film Festival (RWIFF), Nigeria’s first film festival dedicated to women. The festival which is scheduled to hold between October 2 and 4, in Lagos, will be dedicated to recognising and celebrating the remarkable contributions of women in filmmaking. Festival Director, Daisy Madu-Chikwendu, disclosed that the festival aim to address the issue of disparity and under representation of women in the film industry. “Recognising the persistent underrepresentation of women in the film industry globally, RWIFF is poised to be a catalyst for change. RWIFF aims to address this disparity by providing a dedicated platform to showcase films made by and about women,” Daisy said. RWIFF will feature all the hallmarks of a prestigious international film festival, with a core focus on films crafted by women and those exploring women’s stories. The festival will encompass a diverse range of categories, including short films, documentaries, feature films, animation, and language films, offering a stage for diverse creative voices, showcasing the breadth and depth of women’s contributions to cinema. There will also be the RWIFF Film Market which aims to provide valuable opportunities for producers to connect with distributors, facilitating sales of completed projects and attracting investment in upcoming productions. The festival will feature master classes and interactive sessions led by renowned industry professionals. Additional information on the festival can be sourced at www.reelwomenfilmfestival.org