Ameh (3rd from left) receiving the cheque for his award
Williams Ameh, a Quantity Surveying graduate turned filmmaker carted away the star prize at the grand finale of 2025 edition of the SDGs Short Film Challenge and Awards held on Tuesday, 9th December with his film “Scar,” that spotlighted the negative effects of child and forced marriage on the society.
Ameh, won the N1 million star prize with his film that spotlighted the negative effects of child and forced marriage on the society.
Ameh’s ‘Scar’ beat the 2,265 entries submitted across the world to win the N1 million at the event attended by top officials of the United Nations Information Centre (UNIC), Office of the Senior Special Adviser of Senior Special Adviser, OSSAP-SDGs and FRESHNEWS MULTIMEDIA group, the organisers of the event.
The grand finale held under the theme: “Film as a catalyst for sustainable development: reimagining the future we want through the screen,” included screening of the nominated films and four panel sessions with leading film, media practitioners as moderators and panelists.
These additional events which made this year’s edition of the initiative unique, culminated into the award event attended by top officials of OSSAP-SDGs, UN, and FRESHNEWS, top filmmakers, administrators and top government officials across the country.
The ceremony was spiced with special musical and other performances by Sophie, Noel Empra’w, Kids from Eagles Music Academy and SDGs Anthem/Cultural Performance by the Impact Choir/Troupe.
Also, the contributions of some important personalities to efforts to achieve the 2030 Agenda were recognized at the event.
Specifically, the Coordinator of Office of First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Edesili Okpebholo Anani and the Queen Consort of Warri Kingdom, Olori Ivie Atuwatse III were conferred with awards of excellence in SDGs implementation.
Veteran actor, filmmaker and entertainment consultant, Zach Orji was also recognized for his contributions to the growth of the film sector and one of the industry’s foremost global ambassadors at the award ceremony spiced with special musical and other performances.
Aside William Ameh who won the grand prize and the N1 million cash reward, Toll Free, an entry by Mel Rouge of Big Lead Africa came second while My Reality by Lex None was the second runner up. They received cash rewards of N500, 000 and N350, 000 respectively for their efforts. Also, Let’s Unite and The Rise (A Journey to Africa’s Financial Independence) submitted by Egyptian Mohamed Fahim and David Akwara from Nigeria won in the Best Foreign Film and Best Documentary Film (Africa) respectively.
On the other hand, Flowing Sustainability: The Gray Water by Shyam Ma of United Arab Emirates won in the Best Documentary Film (International) category while Silent Screams, an entry by Diane Eyo-enoette of Delta State won in the Best Film (State Category}. An Italians, Baptiste Salvan won the best animation award with his entry, Ziki while Deodar- Roots of Paradise, an entry by an Indian, Dr. Aijaz Ahmad Khan was declared the Viewer’s Choice.
Speaking on his winning entry, Ameh described the film as a scary depiction of a reality that really touched his heart and is need of urgent attention by the society: “The film, Scar, like I used to say and I’ll keep saying, is beyond a story. It’s a crime. I’m just a storyteller to elevate, to echo this crime.”
He added that the film is a call to action and an advocacy for the protection of the girl child from harmful practices, including early marriage and forced marriage that usually resulted in what he described as generational trauma.
“These children today that are girls grow up to become mothers; grow up to become broken mothers. And these broken mothers give birth to a generation of broken people,” he added.
Asked why he decided to make abuses against the girl child his central focus, the young film maker said: “I am a man. But my mother is a woman. And we see their pains. We see their struggles. And we cannot be men if we don’t have better mothers. “If you train a male child, you just train a man. Right? But if you groom a woman, give her all the opportunities – you don’t just train one person, you train a generation of people.”
Also speaking at the event, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs described the event as a celebration of creativity, innovations and the power of young Nigerians to shape national conversation around sustainable development.
“The challenge was conceived to build platforms, to tell compelling stories that reflect collective aspirations under the 2030 agenda: the quality of entries demonstrated good understanding that our country is rich in talents.
“Your contribution highlighted the role of storytelling and creating awareness, influencing policy and mobilising communities toward accelerating SDGs.
“As we celebrate the winners, let us also reaffirm our commitment to building more inclusive, equitable and sustainable Nigeria, one where no one is left behind.”
Also, speaking at the event, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, Mr Mohamed Fall, has reiterated the global body’s commitment to supporting filmmaking to advance SDGs in Nigeria.
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