James Omokwe’s Osamede has emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 2025 Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), taking home the coveted award for Best Narrative Feature.
The Benin historical epic shared the honor with Zoey Martinson’s The Fisherman, which also won in the same category, as announced by the festival organizers.
Osamede’s victory marks a significant milestone for Nigerian historical epics—films that have consistently celebrated the nation’s rich precolonial heritage. Set in the culturally vibrant Benin Empire of the 1800s, the film tells the story of a young woman who discovers her supernatural gifts through the revered Aruosa Stone.
The film features a stellar ensemble cast including Ivie Okujaye, William Benson, Lexan Aisosa Peters, Tosin Adeyemi, and Lancelot Imasuen, among others.
SVAFF isn’t the only international platform celebrating Osamede. The film is next headed to Norway for the annual Films from the South Festival, where it will screen on November 14, 2025, during Nollywood Night. It will be showcased alongside acclaimed African films such as My Father’s Shadow, The Weekend, and Phoenix Fury.
The Silicon Valley African Film Festival, based in the United States, is dedicated to highlighting the diversity and creativity of African cinema. From short films to narrative features, the annual event bridges cultures by connecting global audiences with authentic African storytelling.
