KIYA AND THE KIMOJA HEROES 

South Africa, Canada, France 

Production company: Triggerfish Animation Studios, Entertainment One, Frog Box Productions, TeamTO
Distributor: Disney+

Synopsis:  "Kiya and the Kimoja Hereos" is set in the vibrant, fictional African city of Kimoja City and follows the adventures of three best friends—Kiya, Jay, and Motsie. When trouble arises, the trio springs into action, transforming into superheroes at their high-tech headquarters, Crystal Eyes. Equipped with their special bandanas, they can also activate their powers on the go, ready to protect their community and solve problems wherever they are. Together, they embody teamwork, courage, and kindness in every mission.

Recognised for: "Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes" has been recognised for its authentic African representation, empowering Black female lead, and commitment to inclusive storytelling. Set in a vibrant Afro-urban world, the series promotes empathy, teamwork, and diversity—highlighting the power of African creativity in shaping global children’s content with meaning and impact.

IYANU

Nigeria 

Production company: Lion Forge Entertainment
Distributor: Showmax

Synopsis:  "Iyanu" takes place in a Yoruba-inspired world and follows the title character, a teenage orphan girl who discovers that she has power that has not been seen since the age of wonders. She joins with her friends Biyi and Toye, and they embark on a remarkable journey to discover the truth about the evil lurking in her homeland. Throughout her adventure, she uncovers the truth about her past, her parents, and her destiny to save the world.

Recognised for: "Iyanu" brings African mythology to life through the journey of a young Yoruba heroine chosen to save her world. The series celebrates cultural heritage, showcases a powerful Black female lead, and promotes inclusive storytelling that reflects Africa’s rich traditions, values, and magical narratives for a new generation of viewers.

FACING FORWARD

South Africa  

Production company: Firstlight Studio
Distributor: Firstlight Studio

Synopsis: Centred around the transformative power of para surfing, a sport that not only facilitates physical healing but also fosters a deep sense of pride and agency, "Facing Forward" follows the build-up to the Para Surf 2024 competition. Following the stories of athletes who have found support, training and community through dedicated surf programmes, the film demonstrates how sport can serve as a vehicle for confidence, connection and personal growth.

Recognised for: "Facing Forward" was selected as a  for its powerful portrayal of inclusion through sport. Showcasing para surfers overcoming physical challenges, the film captures resilience, community, and empowerment. It celebrates adaptive athletics as a catalyst for healing and self-belief, offering an inspiring testament to ability, dignity, and the human spirit.

EVERYBODY LOVES TOUDA

Morocco, France, Belgium, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway

Production company: Les Films du Nouveau, Monde, Ali n' Productions, Velvet Films, Snowglobe, Viking Film, Staer, France 3 Cinema, RTBF
Distributor: mk2 Films

Synopsis:  Touda is a Sheikha, a traditional Moroccan singer, performing in the bars of her provincial town under the wary eyes of men. Facing judgment and struggle, she dreams of a new life in Casablanca—one filled with artistic recognition and possibility. Her deepest motivation: securing a brighter, more hopeful future for her beloved son, who is deaf.

Recognised for: "Everybody Loves Touda" is recognised for its sensitive and authentic portrayal of deafness through Touda’s son, offering rare visibility in North African storytelling. By exploring their relationship within a traditional community, the show challenges social stigma, fosters empathy, and highlights the strength of maternal love in the face of exclusion.

DIEPE WATERS

South Africa 

Production company: Penguin Films
Distributor: MultiChoice Studios

Synopsis:  "Diepe Waters" follows the Swarts family, owners of the Swartmarlyne swimming club, as they train Olympic hopefuls while navigating secrets, rivalries, and personal struggles. The arrival of Lucas, a differently abled swimmer, challenges perceptions and inspires transformation. Set in Johannesburg, the series explores ambition, inclusion, and resilience beneath the surface of competitive sport and family loyalty.

Recognised for: "Diepe Waters" is recognised for its authentic and empowering portrayal of disability through the character of Lucas, a differently abled swimmer who competes alongside able-bodied athletes. The series challenges stereotypes, normalises inclusion in sport and relationships, and highlights resilience—offering a groundbreaking narrative rarely seen in South African television.

ONTHOU VI FREDO?

South Africa  

Production company: None
Distributor: None

Synopsis: "Onthou Vi Fredo?" traces the unsolved murder of Alfredo April, a beloved drag artist and queer icon from Malmesbury, whose death remains shrouded in delayed justice. While his case lingers unresolved, the documentary shifts focus to the vibrant legacy he left behind. Through archival footage, emotional tributes, and personal memories from loved ones, the film honours Alfredo’s life as “Anushka De Patre”—a fearless performer, community pillar, and beacon of pride within South Africa’s LGBTQIA+ and trans communities.

Recognised for: "Onthou Vi Fredo? is recognised for its powerful tribute to a queer icon whose life and legacy embody visibility, resilience, and pride. By centring a drag performer’s story with compassion and dignity, the film challenges erasure, honours community, and demands justice—offering vital representation for LGBTQIA+ lives in South Africa.

NYAME MMA

Ghana

Production company: Church of Stories
Distributor: Church of Stories

Synopsis:  "Nyame Mma" follows Kwamena, a 30-year-old gay man who returns to his hometown of Sekondi after the death of his father, years after leaving due to family conflict over his sexuality. There, he reunites with his former lover, Maroof, now preparing to marry a woman under societal pressure. As Kwamena grieves both familial and romantic loss, surreal dream sequences and spiritual symbolism—like the Ankos festival—reveal a tender, haunting journey of identity, heartbreak, and emotional reconciliation.

Recognised for: "Nyame Mma" is recognised for its powerful and nuanced portrayal of queer identity, love, and loss within a culturally rich African context. Centering a gay Ghanaian man’s return home, the film explores themes of rejection, heartbreak, and societal pressure, using magical realism to create space for LGBTQ+ visibility, emotional depth, and healing.

THIS BODY WORKS FOR ME

South Africa  

Production company: POP24
Distributor: Showmax

Synopsis: "This Body Works For Me" is a bold, unfiltered reality series that follows the lives of women in Johannesburg’s adult entertainment industry. Season 2 expands the narrative by introducing Lebo, a trans woman who shares her transition journey, adding a powerful perspective on gender identity. Through intimate storytelling, the series challenges stereotypes, humanises its cast of strippers and sex workers, and explores themes of self-acceptance, resilience, and the freedom to own one’s body and story.

Recognised for: "This Body Works For Me" was recognised for its groundbreaking portrayal of transgender identity through Lebo’s story. By offering authentic, unscripted visibility into her journey within Johannesburg’s adult entertainment scene, the series fosters empathy, challenges stigma, and celebrates the dignity and diversity of LGBTQIA+ lives in African media.

SHE, HE, THEY

Nigeria

Production company: TIERs Nigeria
Distributor: TIERs Nigeria

Synopsis:  "She, He, They" is set in contemporary Lagos, Nigeria, where living openly is a courageous act of resistance. The story follows Reni, a lesbian navigating love and identity, and her three roommates: Imani, a Muslim lesbian; Ijemma, a trans woman; and Victor, a gay man. As they each face personal challenges—from societal rejection to intimate struggles—the series explores their dating lives, friendships, and resilience in a world that often refuses to see them.

Recognised for: "She, He, They" is recognised for its groundbreaking portrayal of LGBTQ+ lives in Nigeria—a context where visibility is both radical and risky. By centring queer and trans characters with empathy and depth, the series breaks silence, humanises lived experiences, and challenges societal norms, offering courageous, authentic representation in African storytelling.

Karen Jeynes is an award-winning director, writer, and creative producer committed to amplifying underrepresented voices and driving authentic representation on screen. As co-founder of DAWN (Disabled Audiovisual Workers Network) in 2024, she advocates for accessibility and equity in the screen industry, working to dismantle barriers for disabled creatives. Her academic work reflects the same passion—having completed her MA in Writing for the Screen, she is now pursuing a PhD in disability representation in television at the University of Pretoria, contributing vital research to inform industry practice.

Karen’s creative career spans acclaimed series such as The Morning After and Recipes for Love and Murder, with an approach that foregrounds inclusion both in front of and behind the camera. She has led writing rooms and consulted on projects that integrate diverse characters and perspectives, including nuanced portrayals of disability, LGBTQ+ identities, and women’s experiences.

Beyond screen work, she lectures, runs writing workshops, and mentors emerging storytellers, fostering inclusive opportunities for the next generation. Through books like Flow (about menstruation) and The Karen Book of Rules, Karen continues to challenge taboos and open space for overlooked narratives—making her a driving force for change in African storytelling.