The Joy Awards, organized by Saudi Arabia's General Entertainment Authority in cooperation with MBC Group, is one of the most significant award ceremonies in the Middle East. The awards were handed to nominated female and male celebrities across various genres and categories, covering the film, television, sports, fashion, and social media segments. Many Arab celebrities topped with recognition and lifetime achievements for regional and international names have received the awards. Here are the winners of the 2025 Joy Awards: Best Feature film: Welad Rizk 3 Actress in film: Hannah El-Zahed (Fasel Men El Lahazat El Lazeeza) Actor in film: Hesham Maged (Ex Merati) Film Director: Tarek Al-Eryan (Welad Rizk 3) Egyptian TV series: Neama El Avoccato Gulf TV series: Shabab El Bomb 12

Snow White, starring Mariam Sherif, premiered in Egypt on 13 January. This followed its world premiere at the fourth edition of the Red Sea International Film Festival, where Sherif won the Best Actress Award. Snow White is written and directed by Taghrid Abouelhassan, marking her debut feature-length film, following her short film Mercy Table (2019). The cast also includes Mohamed Mamdouh, Mohamed Gomaa, Nihal Kamal, and Karim Fahmy. The film follows the story of Iman, portrayed by Sherif, who navigates a journey in search of love amid daily challenges and societal prejudices against little people in Egyptian society. “In 2019, Abouelhassan reached out to me and told me about her film idea,” Sherif told Ahram Online. “She initially talked to the little people community about it, and they referred her to me because of my social media presence in raising awareness about little people,” Sherif added.

Controversial Nigerian singer, Speed Darlington, popularly known as Akpi, has been released from prison custody. Naija News reports that the singer’s lawyer, Stan Alieke, made the announcement in a post via his Instagram page on Tuesday. Alieke said Akpi’s lawyers would explore every legal avenue to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human rights, which the Nigerian Police Force deprived him of. The post read, “Delighted to announce that our client, Mr Darlington Achakpo Aka Speed Darlington (Akpi) has regained his freedom after two months of illegal incarceration. For the record, as his team of lawyers, we will be exploring every angle of the law to ensure that he gets justice for his fundamental human right which was deprived of him by the Nigerian Police Force and for the unfair/ unjust treatment he was subjected to.

he 26th edition of the prestigious Telecel Ghana Music Awards (TGMAs) has officially opened for nominations. Music stakeholders across Ghana and beyond are invited to submit their entries for this year's highly anticipated awards ceremony, celebrating the best in the Ghanaian music industry. The scheme is now accepting submissions for all commercially released works in 2024, covering music from January 1st to December 31st. Artists, management teams, record labels, producers, instrumentalists, composers, and other music industry professionals can submit their entries through the official online portal at www.entry.ghanamusicawards.com until Sunday, February 16th, 2025.

'Award ben nie?' to wit, 'What award is this?' was the mot popular reaction after a picture of the award plaque given to a recipient of the recently held 2024 Ghana Movie Awards popped up online. On January 18, 2025, the movie industry held one of its much-anticipated movie awards in the country. However, the event was overshadowed by it's aftermath. During the awards ceremony, celebrated Ghanaian blogger, ZionFelix, was awarded Blogger of the Year. However, some netizens have taken to social media and mocked the organisers of the awards for giving the blogger a locally-designed fan made out of palm fronds as an award plaque. According to them, the organisers could have done better with their choice of plaque.

The Cairo International Film Festival presided over by the esteemed star Hussein Fahmy, announced that its upcoming 46th edition will take place from November 12-21, at the Cairo Opera House. Commenting on the announcement, Hussein Fahmy stated: "With the announcement of our upcoming edition, we recognize the immense effort required to face its challenges and achieve the success we aspire to, while also learning from past experiences. We are confident that this edition will leave a distinctive mark on the history of the Cairo International Film Festival. I am particularly excited as we began preparations the day after the previous edition concluded."

The third season of ‘Young, Famous and African’ has arrived and if you’re a fan of chaos and drama, this series delivers in spades. Last season introduced Namibia’s very own Luis Munana to the multinational cast, and it didn’t take long for him to get swept up in the whirlwind of mudslinging and catcalling that has become the show’s signature. The eight-episode season starts on a deceptively positive note before spiraling into the familiar unhinged madness we’ve come to expect. If I had to summarise this season’s storylines, I’d struggle to find a cohesive narrative. The bulk of the drama centres around the group meeting in various combinations – either to argue, to rehash old arguments, or to gossip about arguments that just happened.

Theogene Nshimiyimana, known in the music scene as DJ Theo, has passed away at the age of 41 on Tuesday, January 21, at Masaka Hospital. Born on December 22, 1983, Theo was the only child in his family. He passed away just hours after being transferred to Masaka Hospital. Theo had been battling illness for some time, having been diagnosed with typhoid, for which he was receiving treatment. His condition worsened, leading to the loss of both speech and hearing, and he ultimately required oxygen support. Mico The Best, a fellow musician and close friend, shared with The NewTimes that doctors later diagnosed Theo with diabetes and stomach issues, further complicating his health.

Veteran Ghanaian actress Adwoa Smart has refuted rumors that former Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia gifted her a house. Speaking in an interview on Accra FM, the actress dismissed the claims as false, attributing the rumors to bloggers spreading fake news. “It’s a lie. Dr. Bawumia has never gifted me a house. I’ve not received a house gift from anybody,” she firmly stated. Adwoa Smart clarified that she has only met Dr. Bawumia once, at the funeral of veteran musician Nana Ampadu, and has never sought favors from him or anyone else. “By God’s grace, I’m comfortable. I’m not where I want to be, but I’m content. I’ve never gone to anyone asking for anything,” she added.

Actress Gabisile Tshabalala will replace Bontle Rampa as Bubbles Mosipidi, a receptionist at Hanyani Holdings. Speaking about joining the show, Tshablala said the transition was easy. I have joined a warm family that filled my heart in a way I did not think I needed. I feel like I am working in a team that loves each other. I have never joined a company that does actor workshops and team building for cast and crew. What Bab’ Duma Ndlovu (filmmaker and producer) is doing is commendable. “I am replacing an existing character known as Bubbles, and usually, that’s a very tricky transition when you find people who have been working together for a long time. In my case, I clicked right in and I felt at home,” she said.

Organisers of the 2025 Bira Rembira Festival will launch provincial outreach programmes next month to connect with various artistes. This musical extravaganza, conceived by Partson “Chipaz” Chimbodza, Diana “Mangwenya” Samkange, and Benjamin “Nyamasvisva” Nyandoro, was inaugurated last year at Gwanzura Stadium in Highfield, Harare. Due to its success, the Bira Rembira Festival is now recognised as an official annual event celebrating the Intangible Cultural Heritage of humanity in Zimbabwe (ICH). Last year’s edition was held after the mbira instrument was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2020. To ensure that the celebrations receive the attention they deserve, mbira players from all age groups are now playing a critical role in commemorating this milestone.

Nollywood actress Sharon Ooja has taken a moment to celebrate her best friend Bisola Aiyeola's birthday by penning an emotional and loving tribute. Taking to Instagram on January 21, 2025, the actress celebrated Bisola's special day with a heartwarming post that highlighted their deep bond, shared memories, and mutual admiration. In her post , Sharon described Bisola as a true gem and the most beautiful person inside and out. Happy birthday to my best friend!!!! The most beautiful person inside out!!!! This year we are taking it all the way back because you, my babe, have been there from time!!! I love you sooo much. Your love is a gift; your friendship is such a safe space! And I hope I make you feel the exact same way.

Taking to Instagram on January 21, 2025, the DJ, whose real name is Nonso Temisan Ajufo, recounted the traumatic events of Sunday, January 12th, and reflected on how the experience has reshaped his outlook on life. Sharing pictures and videos of his gruesome wounds, he recalled, "On Sunday, January 12th, a night out turned into both the worst and most teachable experience of my life. I went out with some friends to a fancy lounge in Johannesburg, SA." From there, I decided to head to another club with another acquaintance. On the way, at a traffic light, we were ambushed by two cars carrying six armed men with automatic rifles. The robbers shot the DJ in the leg, and the bullet went through his leg, leaving him bleeding out fast while handing his jewellery over to them.

In Nollywood, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: not all filmmakers and actors are treated equally. They are tagged as YouTube filmmakers, Netflix stars, or Amazon actors. Her fiery post shed light on an issue that has long simmered beneath the surface but rarely gets addressed with such candour. Afegbai’s grievance stems from a disturbing trend where the industry; and the viewers themselves segregate filmmakers and actors based on where their work is showcased. According to her, this classification unfairly creates a hierarchy, diminishing the talents of those who work primarily on platforms like YouTube while elevating others associated with global giants like Netflix or Amazon. “Normally, an actor is an actor. It’s about, are you a good actor? Can you act? But it’s you viewers that have turned the whole thing upside down,” she said.

After recently exciting listeners with a freestyle that rolls back the years, Grammy-nominated rapper Olamide has told fans they have more to look forward to. In a post on his X account, the multi-award-winning rapper revealed that he intends to release the second installment of his EP 'Ikigai'. Olamide responded to a fan complaining that his new freestyle 'Idan Buruku' was too short. "You’d have to wait for Ikigai vol. 2 almost here," Olamide replied. The first installment of Olamide's 'Ikigai', the Japanese word that translates to "a reason to live" enjoyed success. The project had the songs 'Metaverse', 'Habibi', and 'Uptown Disco' featuring Asake & Fireboy. The EP is Olamide's 10th solo project which captures his constant evolution and ability to stay in tune with the pulse of the culture.

Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele has responded to an overzealous fan who urged her to give her twin sons a sibling. In the now-viral clip from Akindele's Snapchat account, a fan named Remmy said to her, "The twins need a new brother/sister." The actress found the fan's comment humorous, telling her that she would hand the baby over to her. "Don't worry, I have registered your name and I will find your address. It is you that would carry the baby and be doing, 'baby, baby don't cry' and back the baby," said the filmmaker, after which she blew the camera a kiss. Even though Remmy's comment about having another child was well received by the filmmaker, other social media use's did not take it lightly, with many emphasising the need for others to exercise self-control and to mind their own business.

Veteran Nollywood actor, famous in the Yoruba film industry, Dele Odule, has recounted the death of his first child. Naija News reports that the movie star, in an interview with his colleague, Kunle Afod, said the death of his child was the saddest moment of his life. Odule said he accepted the demise as the will of God and prayed never to face such a tragedy again. He said, “The saddest moment in my life was when I was told my first child died. It was very hard on me. “It was hard because of the situation surrounding the child’s birth. It was very hard on me but no one can question the authority of God. It was so bad and I do not pray for such anymore.” Speaking about his family and career, Odule said his children have a natural talent for the arts, with one showing potential in acting and another having a talent for singing.

Nollywood actress, Kate Henshaw, has defended her senior colleague, Ngozi Ezeonu, amid the backlash over the viral video of her scolding braless upcoming actresses at a movie audition. Naija News reported that the movie star was one of the judges sitting at the audition table when two ladies wearing crop tops and leggings came for the audition. The veteran movie star blasted the girls for their outfits at the audition, which sparked controversy online. In a video via her Instagram page on Monday, Kate Henshaw slammed those criticizing Ngozi Ezeonu for scolding the girls. The thespian stated that an audition is an interview for a role, and people cannot just dress like they are on the street. She further listed some respectable people in the Nollywood industry to illustrate that it is not an ordinary profession, stressing that industry experts should be blamed for making entries easy. Kate Henshaw said that people who refused to be trained at home would be trained outside.

As the third-largest film industry in the world in terms of the number of films produced annually, Nollywood is striving to achieve global recognition similar to the meteoric rise of Afrobeats. The movie industry has undergone significant transformations since the early 1990s when filmmakers began producing low-budget movies that resonated deeply with Nigerian audiences. Movies like Living in Bondage (1992), a two-part drama directed by Chris Obi Rapu, written by Kenneth Nnebue and Okechukwu Ogunjiofor, produced by Ogunjiofor, and Glamour Girls (1994) became huge successes, paving the way for the industry’s growth. Over the years, Nollywood has evolved, embracing higher production values and more diverse narratives, capturing the attention of global audiences and streaming giants like Netflix and Amazon.

Dancer Poco Lee recently revealed a new tattoo on his body, sparking conversations among his fans. The tattoo features fashion entrepreneur Tiamiu Abdulrahman Kayode, known as Rahman Jago, and is located on his hand, which already had other tattoos. In the pictures posted by influencer Dami Foreign on X (formerly Twitter), Poco Lee showed off multiple tattoos on his body. Some netizens commented that over time, the dancer will have so many tattoos that there won’t be any space left.

Prominent social media commentator and celebrity critic, Daniel Regha, has offered guidance to women in romantic relationships. Regha asserts that any man who desires his girlfriend to conceive prior to marriage does not genuinely love her. This assertion may be linked to recent discussions on social media, where numerous men have expressed support for their girlfriends becoming pregnant as a means to assess their fertility before entering into marriage.

Controversial Nollywood actor Yul Edochie has characterized the act of begging as an obstacle to achieving one’s full potential. He emphasized the necessity of cultivating a mindset that rejects begging, as it restricts individuals from realizing their capabilities. Furthermore, he advocated for the importance of identifying, developing, and monetizing one’s skills, asserting that greatness cannot be attained through begging.

Nigerian influencer and life coach, Solomon Buchi, has characterized Nigeria as a challenging environment for talent. This assertion was made in response to a statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) concerning a suspect who allegedly shot one of its officers.

Nigerian social media personality Alax Evalsam, known as Fish Pie Seller, is about to enter the Nigerian music scene. He gained fame for his unique way of promoting his fish pies. On January 20, he announced that he is currently working on a new music project. In a video, he teased a collaboration with someone whose identity is not yet revealed. Sharing the picture, Alax Evalsam wrote in the caption: “Guys our music is coming out soon watch out.” See photo below: Alax’s choice to enter the music scene comes shortly after he clarified his situation with media personality Chinonso Ukah, also known as Nons Miraj. GistLover noted that Nons Miraj had challenged Fish Pie Seller on social media to reveal the names of those who allegedly used him after he became famous.