Tolu Ajayi’s Whispers in the Wire has won third place in the AfriCon and Cinemax Short Film Competition, earning valuable in-kind marketing and distribution support.
The announcement was made during the multi-day cultural conference held from September 18–20 in Atlanta, Georgia.
The competition, presented by Fidelity Bank as part of Amplify Africa’s AfriCon 25, celebrates bold narratives and new perspectives in African cinema while uniting the global Black diaspora.
Ajayi’s recognition comes alongside Shandra Apondi’s Owadwa (Our Brother), which took first place and $5,000, and Raven Irabor and Sira’s Sheland (A Caribbean Folklore), which placed second and won $2,500. According to the organizers, the winning films represent powerful storytelling that highlights the future of African cinema.
The AfriCon 25 conference featured screenings of the winning films, along with workshops designed to support emerging filmmakers. The event culminated in the Icon Gala, an awards ceremony and fashion showcase headlined by D’banj.
Ajayi, also known for his feature film Over the Bridge, currently showing in cinemas, continues to establish himself as a versatile voice in African storytelling.