The First Half of 2025 in Film: 7 Defining Moments from Nollywood to Hollywood

As the curtain falls on the first half of 2025, one thing is certain: this year has already delivered pivotal shifts across global cinema from the sound stages of Hollywood to the vibrant streets of Lagos. Driven by new technologies, bold storytelling, and evolving audience expectations, Black filmmakers, creators, and the broader African film ecosystem are shaping new narratives and rewriting the rules.

Here are 7 standout moments that defined the global film industry in the first six months of 2025:

🎥 1. California Doubles Down on Film: $750M Tax Credit Expansion

In a landmark move in June, California’s legislature approved a massive expansion of its film and TV tax incentive program, raising it to $750 million annually through 2030. This aims to keep productions from migrating to states like Georgia or international markets, reflecting how fierce competition for film dollars has become. For many Black and independent filmmakers based in California, this is a golden opportunity to scale their projects without relocating.

 2. The Rise (and Scrutiny) of VR in Filmmaking

VR is no longer a side conversation; it’s central. At the 97th Academy Awards, films like The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez, both heavily enhanced by artificial intelligence, sparked debates on what counts as "human storytelling." While their success thrilled tech-forward creatives, it raised alarms in actor and writer unions already reeling from past VR disputes. Corey Feldman, a Gen X icon, summed up the mood best: “Hollywood magic is a human art form. Let’s not automate our soul.”

 3. Damson Idris Accelerates into Stardom with F1

In F1, a thrilling motorsports film starring Brad Pitt, British-Nigerian actor Damson Idris didn’t just hold his own; he soared. His magnetic performance introduced a new leading man to global audiences and marked a major win for Black talent in blockbuster cinema. With whispers of award nominations already surfacing, Idris has become one of 2025’s most important names.

 4. Nollywood’s AI Moment: Makemation

Nigeria’s Nollywood broke new ground with Makemation, its first feature-length film powered by AI. Released in April, it made ₦32.9 million in just four days. Directed by Funke Fayemi, the film balanced technological experimentation with local storytelling, setting a precedent for more tech-forward films on the continent. It also placed Nollywood firmly in global discussions around AI ethics and cinema.

5. Viral Sensation: Love in Every Word and “Achalugo”

YouTube made a Nollywood hit go global. Love in Every Word, especially the emotional scene featuring the character “Achalugo”, amassed over 26 million views in 90 days. TikTok reenactments and soundbite remixes followed, signalling the social media virality that Nollywood now commands. The film's organic success shows that audiences are craving emotional, culturally grounded stories, no big budget necessary.

6. A Big Night at the AMVCA Awards

At the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, the film Freedom Way swept major categories, including Best Film. Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka took home top acting honours, while Lisabi: The Uprising won for production design. In a key move, AMVCA introduced a new Best Music Score category, reflecting the growing integration of Nollywood and Afrobeat cultures.

🎥 7. African Cinema Makes Cannes History

Nigeria's My Father’s Shadow made history in May as the first Nigerian fictional film to be selected for Cannes’ Un Certain Regard. The film’s selection marked a milestone not just for its creators but for African cinema’s continued rise in prestige, visibility, and exportability. It’s part of a larger trend of African films moving beyond continental recognition to global critical acclaim.

From Lagos to Los Angeles, from Cape Town to Cannes, 2025 has shown that the film industry is no longer defined by geography, but by voice, vision, and velocity. Black creatives are rising on global stages. Nollywood is transitioning from volume to infrastructure. African stories are becoming global conversations. And AI, controversial though it may be, is here to stay.

The first half of the year has given us cinematic breakthroughs, viral moments, and critical discussions. If the second half of 2025 keeps this pace, we’re not just witnessing an industry evolve; we’re living through a global creative revolution.