The curtain fell on the 9th edition of the Lagos International Festival of Animation (LIFANIMA) last night with an atmosphere of pure creative brilliance, as animators, producers, and storytellers gathered to celebrate the best in African animation.
Held at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, the award night was a dazzling tribute to innovation, storytelling, and the ever-growing artistic fire within the continent’s animation community. From breathtaking visuals to heartfelt stories, this year’s winners reflected the depth and diversity of Africa’s animation scene.
Award Winners of the Night
Best Visual Effects — Fire Regalia
Taking home one of the night’s most competitive awards, Fire Regalia stunned audiences with its jaw-dropping visual artistry and seamless effects. The film stood out for its world-building and technical mastery, setting a new benchmark for visual storytelling in African animation.
Best Animation Commercial — Banking Never Stops (Keystone Bank)
Keystone Bank’s Banking Never Stops campaign won over the jury with its sharp design, clever messaging, and dynamic animation style. The ad showcased how animation can elevate brand storytelling while staying rooted in cultural authenticity a brilliant example of marketing meeting creativity.
Best Stop Motion Animation — The Travails of Ajadi
A heartfelt and meticulously crafted piece, The Travails of Ajadi charmed viewers with its textured stop-motion technique and strong cultural narrative. The film’s tactile artistry and emotional core reminded audiences of the beauty of patience and passion in handcrafted animation.
Best 3D Animation — Blinded by the Light by Francis Brown
Visually immersive and emotionally charged, Blinded by the Light took home the award for Best 3D Animation. The film’s detailed modeling, lifelike lighting, and cinematic polish exemplified how far African studios have come in technical execution and creative ambition.
Best 2D Animation — HADU, Directed by Dami Solesi
Closing the night on a high note, HADU directed by the powerhouse Dami Solesi of SMIDS Animation won the award for Best 2D Animation. The film combined rich character design, smooth motion, and deep storytelling, reinforcing Solesi’s reputation as one of Nigeria’s most visionary animators.
A Night of Culture, Collaboration, and Celebration
Beyond the trophies, the night was a celebration of resilience, innovation, and the growing ecosystem of animation across Africa. The awards underscored how platforms like LIFANIMA continue to spotlight African talent while inspiring the next generation of creatives.
As ComicPanel World observed, the event wasn’t just an award ceremony, it was a statement of intent. Nigerian and African animators are no longer playing catch-up; they’re leading with original stories, bold styles, and technical excellence that can rival any production worldwide.
From the glowing visuals of Fire Regalia to the emotional storytelling of HADU, LIFANIMA 2025 proved once again that Africa’s animation industry is not just evolving, it’s thriving.