2025 Inclusive Lens Award Winners

FAME Week Africa hosted the second Inclusive Lens Awards, unveiling a new era of creators, filmmakers and storytellers who are reshaping traditional media on our screens. The Inclusive Lens Awards are designed to foreground content that elevates diverse storytelling and representation through film and television. The winners were announced at the award ceremony on Tuesday, 2 September 2025 in Cape Town at the MIP Africa Theatre during FAME Week Africa.

The Inclusive Lens Awards honour content that promotes authentic and inclusive narratives featuring underrepresented characters. The focus areas include LGBTQ+ representation, disability awareness and children’s programming that reflects Africa’s diverse cultural identities in both scripted and unscripted series and films.

Bronx Colors, the professional makeup brand known for championing self-expression presented the 2025 Inclusive Lens Awards at FAME Week Africa—the continent’s leading celebration of film, television and creative excellence.

Humza Mohammed, International Marketing Manager for Bronx Colours, says, “For Bronx, beauty has always been about self-expression, creativity and the freedom to show up as your authentic self. Our partnership with FAME Week Africa is a celebration of that vision, offering us the opportunity to champion individuality across every stage of artistry. This includes everyday wearers discovering their unique style, professional makeup artists shaping characters for film, actors bringing stories to life and creatives working behind the scenes.”

He added how the makeup industry plays a role in filmmaking, “We celebrate artistry through our lineup of professional makeup made for everyone, bridging the gap between pro-level performance and everyday self-expression. This collaboration allows Bronx to create a space where diversity is not only represented but honoured, where artistry is recognised at every level, and where beauty is redefined as something deeply personal and limitless.”

The awards were judged by a panel of industry leaders whose work spans film, television, academia, and advocacy – experts in various fields and passionate teachers and practitioners of inclusive storytelling. Among them were Lala Tuku, Esther Pearl, Gibson Ncube, Louise Callcott-Stevens and Tarha McKenzie.
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The Winners of the 2025 Inclusive Lens Awards

In the Diversity in Kids’ Programming categories, Kiya & the Kimoja Heroes (Triggerfish Animation Studios, Entertainment One, Frog Box Productions, TeamTO) was recognised for its vibrant Afro-urban setting, empowering Black female lead and inclusive storytelling for preschool audiences. For older children, Iyanu (Lion Forge Entertainment) won for its celebration of African mythology, weaving Yoruba heritage into a story of courage and belonging.

The Representation of Disability awards honoured powerful stories of resilience and inclusion. Facing Forward (Firstlight Studio) captured global attention with its moving portrayal of para surfers overcoming challenges through community and sport. Everybody Loves Touda (Les Films du Nouveau Monde, Ali n’ Productions, Velvet) offered a rare and authentic portrayal of deafness within North African storytelling, while Diepe Waters (Penguin Films) was celebrated for its empowering depiction of Lucas, a swimmer competing alongside able-bodied athletes, challenging stereotypes in South African television.

For Representation of LGBTQIA+, the winners reflected the breadth and depth of queer storytelling across Africa. Onthou Vi Fredo? honoured the life and legacy of a queer icon in a compassionate, non-scripted portrait. Nyame Mma (Church of Stories) explored queer identity and love through magical realism, following a gay Ghanaian man’s return home. This Body Works For Me (POP24) was praised for its bold unscripted portrayal of transgender identity through Lebo’s journey, while She, He, They (TIERs Nigeria) was recognised for its courageous scripted series centering queer and trans lives in Nigeria.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Unseen Impact Award, created to honour those whose behind-the-scenes work drives systemic change. The first recipient was acclaimed director, writer and producer Karen Jeynes, whose advocacy, mentorship and inclusive storytelling have uplifted underrepresented voices across the continent. As co-founder of DAWN (Disabled Audiovisual Workers Network) and a PhD researcher in disability representation, Jeynes has consistently challenged taboos and opened doors. Her acclaimed series The Morning After and Recipes for Love and Murder, along with her books Flow and The Karen Book of Rules, exemplify her commitment to shaping a more inclusive African screen industry.

The 2025 Inclusive Lens Awards stand as proof that representation is a force for transformation. From heroines and mythological warriors to para-athletes, queer icons and unsung community leaders, this year’s winners embody the future of African storytelling — bold, diverse and globally resonant.