In a major win for Nigerian storytelling and global recognition, Joel Kachi Benson has made history as his Disney Original Documentary Madu clinched the 2025 Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary in New York.
The win not only highlights Benson’s skill as a filmmaker but also marks a milestone as the first Nigerian documentary to win in this category.
“This Emmy is a win for Nigeria, for storytellers everywhere, and for anyone who dares to dream. ‘Madu’ is proof that our stories matter,”said Benson, following the emotional win.
The award places Nigeria in the spotlight and inspires a new wave of African creatives to believe in their own voices.
Madu, co-directed by Benson and Oscar-nominated director Matt Ogens, follows the remarkable journey of Anthony Madu, a young Nigerian ballet dancer.
The film tells the story of a boy whose barefoot dance in a rain-soaked courtyard in Lagos caught the world’s attention.
From that viral video to securing a scholarship in the UK at Elmhurst Ballet School, Madu paints a touching story of hope, culture, and determination.
Meanwhile, Benson’s impact didn’t stop there. Just days after his Emmy win, he earned yet another major recognition.
His latest work, Mothers of Chibok, was named Best African Feature Documentary at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival, one of the continent’s most respected documentary platforms.
Mothers of Chibok is a powerful follow-up to Benson’s award-winning VR film, Daughters of Chibok, which in 2019 became the first African film to win Best VR Story at the Venice Film Festival.
The new film gives a heartfelt voice to the mothers affected by the 2014 Chibok girls’ abduction, capturing their pain, strength, and longing for justice.
“Stories like ‘Madu’ and ‘Mothers of Chibok’ reinforce my belief that documentaries truly can change lives,” Benson stated.
His words echo a strong message: when stories are told truthfully, they inspire change and healing.
It is a message to every young African filmmaker, dancer, or dreamer that your story matters, and the world is ready to listen.
Through his Lagos-based studio, JB Multimedia, Benson continues to use his lens to spotlight African voices that are often unheard.
However, with a focus on storytelling that heals, educates, and uplifts, his work keeps placing Nigeria on the global map for all the right reasons.
Mothers of Chibok is currently touring film festivals around the world, continuing to build momentum and spark conversations.
