Liberia’s biggest night in cinema came alive on Saturday, June 21, as celebrities, filmmakers, and cultural ambassadors gathered at the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex Theatre in Congo Town to celebrate the 2025 Liberia Film Awards (LFA). The glamorous evening recognized the best in Liberian, African, and diaspora filmmaking, highlighting achievements across 30+ categories.
The night’s top honors went to “Fantasy”, which emerged as the Best Picture of the Year. The film’s director, Gardea Mayon, also took home the Best Director award, cementing Fantasy’s place as the evening’s breakout success. Actor Alpha Charley further boosted the film’s wins by clinching Best Supporting Actor.
Daniel Coleman won Best Actor for his compelling performance in “Enough for Us”, while Ertamar Thompson earned Best Actress for her role in “The Good Husband”. Tracy T. Mayson received Best Supporting Actress for “In the Deep.”
The event was hosted by the dynamic duo of Grace H. Weah, popularly known as Master Queen, and Isaac Warrak, aka Young 15, who brought charisma and energy to the evening.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to the 2025 Liberia Film Awards!” declared Master Queen as she opened the ceremony. “Tonight, we come together to celebrate the very best in Liberian cinema as well as Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and the African diaspora–honoring the visionaries, the storytellers, and the dreamers who bring our stories to life.”
Young 15 followed: “It’s a night to shine the spotlight on the extraordinary talent and groundbreaking work that have shaped our industry this past year.”
Beyond the glitz, this year’s edition emphasized fostering economic and cultural exchange between Liberians and African Americans, with efforts to bridge the development gap taking center stage in several speeches and networking segments.
Full list of key winners:
- Best Picture: Fantasy
- Best Director: Gardea Mayon (Fantasy)
- Best Actor: Daniel Coleman (Enough for Us)
- Best Actress: Ertamar Thompson (The Good Husband)
- Best Supporting Actor: Alpha Charley (Fantasy)
- Best Supporting Actress: Tracy T. Mayson (In the Deep)
- Best Cinematography: Ansu K. Sirleaf (The Good Husband)
- Best Editing: Afra Marley (The Good Husband)
- Best Original Screenplay: Fantasy
- Best Sound: Sweet Nothing
- Best Actress in a Series: Abi Wiss (The Nails)
- Best Actor in a Series: Sekou M. Sirleaf (Sweet Nothing)
- Best Series: Sweet Nothing
The LFA also spotlighted exceptional talent from the diaspora. Sierra Leonean film “Kecha, Kecha” won Best Film Shot in the Diaspora, while Zechariah L. Sesay took home Best Actor in the Diaspora. Canadian film “The Village Keeper” and its director Karen Chapman were also among the top winners. Nigerian actress Omowunmi Dada won Best Actress in the Diaspora for Cursed Bonds.
In the documentary category, “People Are The Currency” by Voice of Liberia and “Tides of Change” received joint recognition, while South Africa’s “Ikhaya” was named Best Documentary in the Diaspora.
From striking performances to groundbreaking productions, the 2025 Liberia Film Awards spotlighted the rapid growth and innovation in West Africa’s film industry. The evening served not only as a celebration of artistry but also as a reminder of the untapped potential within Liberia’s creative economy.
“This is more than an awards ceremony,” said an organizer. “It’s a platform to celebrate Liberian excellence, inspire collaboration across borders, and empower the next generation of storytellers.”
As the curtain fell on another successful edition, the Liberia Film Awards reaffirmed its status as a beacon of recognition and inspiration in African cinema.
