The Special Movie Awards (SMA) 2025 took place with great excitement, honoring remarkable talent and contributions in African cinema. This year’s event celebrated not only outstanding film projects but also individual excellence across acting, directing, and behind-the-scenes artistry.
The biggest winner of the night was Insurmountable, which took home:
Best Director – General Bah
Best Feature Film
Best Leading Male Actor – Marklaw Penant Bangura
Best Leading Female Actor – Isata Faith Bangura
Best Editor – General Bah
Best Supporting Female Actor – Gladys Conteh
Coup the Grace won Best Picture and Best Short Film, while Myth of the Gods earned recognition for Best Costumier, Best Indigenous Film, and Best Visual Effects.
Other winners included:
1.Best Documentary – Treasure Woman
2.Best Hair/Makeup Artist – Seven Virgins
3.Best Regional Film – Never Enough
4.Best Supporting Male Actor – Fynface (Never Enough)
5.Best Sound – Heritage (The Ebrimas)
In addition to the competitive awards, SMA 2025 also honored several industry veterans, filmmakers, and institutions for their exceptional contributions:
SMA Veteran Filmmakers Awards 2025
1.Kensteve Anuka
2.Franklin Chika Adim
3.Sheikh Tijan Sonko
4.Akenaton Topper Loborde
5.Abdoulie Samba
6. Saul Jagne
7.Bittaye Mbye
8. Alioune Seck
9.Cornelius Gomez
10.Haddy Nyang
11.Muhammed Nyang
12.Fatima Susan Joh
12.Mansata Marena
SMA Filmmakers & Actors Awards 2025
1.Mariama Colley
2.Charmaine Bangura Jawara
3.Bubacarr Aminata Sankanu
4.Bubacarr Zaidi Jallow
5.Omar Leigh
6.Pa Abdou Waggeh
7.Mariama Jammeh
8.Chris Stephens
9.Kehinde Omotowa
10.Bankole Browne
11.Alex Manneh
12.Hassan Conteh
13.Abdul Karim Kekura
14.Linda I. Odogwu
15.Sandra Luseni-Palmer
16.Kayode John Adeleke
17.Mbye Bittaye
18.Roland Senghore
19.Alhagie Manka
20.Baboucarr Manka
21.Monica Davies
22.Bintou S. Jammeh
23.Abdoulie Khan
24.Mam Demba Ceesay
25.Anna Marie Jabang
26.Chuku ND
SMA – Best Diaspora Actor
1. Sydney Franky Boyle Feury
Postmortem Awards
1.Orukpe Chris Adams (Chrisblacknation)
2.Ebou Waggeh
Special Awards
1.H.E. President Adama Barrow – President of the Republic of The Gambia
2.Africell GSM Company
3.West African Insurance Institute (WAII)
4.Discount Centre Fajara
Other Recognitions
1.WAX Media
2.Nigerians in the Diaspora
3.Glamour Ladys
4.Sierra Leone Nationals Union (SLeNU)
5.State of Mic
The SMA 2025 was a true celebration of culture, creativity, and the continued rise of African storytelling through film.