Femi Adebayo’s “Seven Doors” Leads Indigenous Film Race at 2025 Kaduna Festival

The 2025 Kaduna International Film Festival has unveiled its official shortlist for the Best Indigenous Language Film category, with five Nigerian titles in the spotlight.

Among them is Femi Adebayo’s acclaimed film “Seven Doors,” which is set to compete for the Viewers’ Choice Award in one of the festival’s most competitive categories.

Also in contention are “Tataburza” by Dan Hausa, “Kakanda” by Toka McBaror, “Asalina” by Salisu Jos, and “Coloured Marriage” by Zaharadeen Kwangila.

The announcement was made via the festival’s official page on May 30, calling on audiences to vote for their favourite Indigenous language film. The public voting process also extends to additional categories, including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Short Film.

“Seven Doors” gains renewed momentum with its selection, just weeks after missing out on the same award category at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), where it lost to Lateef Adedimeji’s “Lisabi: The Uprising.”

Now in its 8th edition, the Kaduna International Film Festival is themed around “films for social change” and continues to highlight African cinematic excellence while encouraging broader global engagement.

Voting across all categories closes on July 4, 2025, ahead of the festival’s main event scheduled to run from August 26 to August 30, 2025, in Kaduna State.