“Angel in the Stone”: Nigerian Student Short Earns Spot on 2025 Sony Awards Shortlist

“Angel in the Stone,” a student short film developed at the EbonyLife Creative Academy (ELCA), has been officially shortlisted for the 2025 Sony Future Filmmakers Awards in the Student category.

It is the only Nigerian entry on the list and one of just two African projects among 30 shortlisted globally.

The film, written by Joseph Onyeanu Oluwaseun, directed by Doyinsola Ajayi and produced by Faith Olaewe, was created during the academy’s fourth intake in 2023. It tells the story of Shalewa, a reclusive autistic teenager who finds comfort in building objects from scrap metal. When a fish shortage hits her village, threatening her family’s survival, Shalewa steps up with the only tools she knows how to use: her creativity and resilience.

Shot in Badore, Ajah, and executed by a crew of students from departments including Producing, Screenwriting, Acting, Directing, Cinematography, Production Design, Post-Production and Sound, the project faced the common challenges of student productions; tight timelines and limited budgets. The original funds provided by ELCA were not enough to complete the film, prompting the team to seek and secure support from Coefficient LLC and Wale Ajiboye.

“From ELCA to Sony,who would have thought a student film from EbonyLife Creative Academy would gain global recognition?” said Olaewe, the creative producer. “This nomination is a testament to the power of hard work and authentic storytelling. It proves that with dedication and belief in our craft, Nigerian filmmakers can make their mark on the world stage.”

One memorable highlight during production was the spontaneous creation of an original song, composed by crew members in just a few hours. It became part of the film’s score and reflected the collective energy driving the project.

Reflecting on the journey, Ajayi, the director, shared a message for emerging filmmakers: “Everything starts with how much you believe in yourself. Trust in your talent, back it up with consistent effort, and watch the world take notice.”

The shortlist recognition has already attracted attention from international platforms like Variety and Alvinology. For the crew, it has served as validation, motivation, and a signal of what’s possible when local stories are told with intention and care.

“Being shortlisted has been a transformative experience,” said Olaewe. “It has boosted our confidence and inspired us to pursue further projects that spotlight underrepresented narratives.”