The short film continues its powerful festival run, picking up major awards.
Nigerian short film “The Brilliant Boy” has emerged as the Jury’s Overall Winner at the Lift-Off Global Network’s First-Time Filmmaker Session, adding another major accolade to its growing list of international recognitions.
This win follows its earlier success at the Latino & Native American Film Festival (LANAFF), where it received the coveted Tribute Award — its very first.
Directed by Emeka John Ekeh and written by Emmanuel Owoicho Patrick, “The Brilliant Boy” is a biographical tale chronicling the life of Nathaniel, an autistic genius whose extraordinary talent for mathematics is tragically cut short by his untimely demise.
The film has been screened at several prestigious festivals, including LANAFF, First-Time Filmmaker Sessions Volume 5, 100 Films Retreat Festival, Kilimanjaro Film Festival, and Lift-Off Global Network, where it most recently claimed the Jury’s top honor.
For producer Zainab Eniola Yunusa, the recognition is not just a professional milestone — it’s a dream fulfilled. In a personal statement shared exclusively with The Nollywood Reporter, she said:
“This is proof that dreams are valid — but only if you’re willing to put in the work. And the work? Sometimes, it’s just the waiting. The waiting season is hard, but in that time, God is preparing you, shaping you.”
Quoting Shaffy Bello and Mike Afolarin, Yunusa reflected on the slow, often unseen journey behind creative achievement:
“God plants a seed. It grows in the dark, unseen. But one day — it sprouts… You can’t rush greatness.”
“Before the big wins come, I’m celebrating the small ones that mean so much to me right now… This wasn’t made for awards or recognition. It was born out of a deep passion for filmmaking and a love for the story.” she added.
From its humble beginnings to international screens, “The Brilliant Boy” has become more than a film — it’s a heartfelt tribute to lost potential and a celebration of untold voices.
As Yunusa puts it:“We’ve created something timeless. A rare, classic piece of storytelling that’s resonating far beyond its home country.”
Watch “The Brilliant Boy” here.