The Inclusive Lens Awards are about recognising films and series that highlight diverse stories across Africa. Categories included kids’ programs, disability, and LGBTQIA+ representation. Read on to find out who the winners are…
Drag artist Vida Fantabisher hosted the awards, while Zoey Black, a trans rights activist, delivered the keynote. Zoey talked about the power of diverse narratives and how important it is for people to see themselves in the stories around them.
Martin Hiller, the Portfolio Director at FAME Week, explained why these awards matter. “We created the Inclusive Lens Awards to honor storytellers and creators who make sure that LGBTQIA+ individuals and people with disabilities are represented. We also wanted kids’ content that reflects African narratives, so young people can see themselves in what they watch.”
The finalists were chosen by a panel of experts, including filmmakers, producers, and activists. The judges were Jason Fiddler, Karen Jeynes, Athenkosi Kwinana, Dr. Shelley Barry, Mimi Bartels, Rogers Ofime, Simon Manda, and Gibson Ncube.
Here are some of the winners…
Kids’ Programs
• Pre-school: Bino and Fino (EVCL, Nigeria) and Nuzo and Namia tied for first place. Bino and Fino is about siblings exploring African culture through music and art. Nuzo and Namia follows twins on magical adventures across Africa.
• Older Kids: Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire (Triggerfish Animation Studios) is a sci-fi series on Disney+ that features ten short films from six African countries.
Disability
• Non-scripted Features: What’s Eating My Mind? is a documentary about living with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. It’s a powerful film that challenges mental health stereotypes.
• Scripted Features: iNumber Number: Jozi Gold is a South African crime thriller on Netflix. It features a deaf gang leader, breaking stereotypes about disabilities in action films.
• Non-scripted Series: Activated is a talk show on SABC 2 that looks at disability through a human rights lens.
• Scripted Series: Binnelanders is a medical drama on KykNet. It’s known for its portrayal of a paraplegic doctor, played by a real paraplegic actor.
LGBTQIA+
• Non-scripted Features: The Radical is a documentary about Muhsin Hendricks, the world’s first openly gay imam. The film highlights his fight for acceptance within Muslim communities.
• Scripted Features: Runs in the Family follows a transmasculine son and his father on a road trip across South Africa. It’s a heartfelt story about family and identity.
• Non-scripted Series: Beaulah: Queens van die Kaap dives into Cape Town’s drag scene, showcasing the artistry and sisterhood of drag queens.
• Scripted Series: Wyfie is an urban drama about four young women navigating university life and the challenges of adulthood.
The Inclusive Lens Awards showed that representation matters. These films and series are paving the way for more diverse stories in African entertainment.
