Nigerian filmmaker Onyinye Blessing is celebrating a major career milestone as her short film, STAY, officially secured a nomination for Best Short Film at the 15th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF 15) in Lagos.
The nomination marks an elevation for the project, moving from an official festival screening selection into competitive contention alongside independent short films from across the African continent.
Produced under B.Labelmedia Productions, STAY stars Lorenzo Menakaya and Eberechukwu Nwodi. Onyinye Blessing served as the writer, director, producer, and editor of the film, with co-producer Chukwwebuka Okonkwo, makeup by Chiamaka Nwachukwu, cinematography by Chukwwebuka Okonkwo and Ikpo Chukwuma, and sound recording by Joseph Nnabuike Daniel.
Reacting to the nomination on social media, Onyinye expressed immense gratitude over the recognition.
"When I first got the news that STAY was officially selected to screen at AFRIFF, I was already overwhelmed," Onyinye shared. "A film I wrote, directed, produced, and edited with so much love was going to be seen on one of the biggest stages for African cinema. But Africa Int'l Film Festival just gave me another reason to scream. STAY has officially been nominated for the BEST SHORT FILM AWARD at AFRIFF 15."
She highlighted the emotional weight of competing on a pan-African platform after building the project independently.
"To even find myself in a category with filmmakers telling stories from different parts of Africa and to know that STAY, this little film that started as an idea in my head and became something I poured my heart into, is now standing in that space... I honestly cannot explain what that feels like. No expectations. No pressure. Just gratitude."
The official selection notice confirmed that winners across all categories will be announced during the AFRIFF 15 Awards Ceremony and Closing Gala in Lagos on November 7, 2026.
