The Day The Heart Died Wins Best Short Film at AFRIFF 2025 as Samuel Ojetola Expands His Nollywood Footprint

The Day The Heart Died has emerged winner of Best Short Film at the 2025 Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), marking a significant milestone for its producers and reaffirming the growing influence of independent Nigerian cinema on the global stage.

The award-winning short film was executively produced by Samuel Ojetola, whose strategic oversight and creative leadership played a central role in shaping the project from development to international recognition. Known for his philosophy that impactful storytelling is driven by vision rather than budget, Ojetola continues to champion emotionally grounded and culturally resonant narratives.

Beyond The Day The Heart Died, Ojetola’s body of work reflects a deliberate push toward elevated genre storytelling. His recent project, Demon in the Glass, is currently showing on Africa Magic Showcase (Channel 151), DStv, GOtv (Channel 8), and streaming on Showmax, further cementing his presence within mainstream African distribution platforms.

Produced under Mysticum Studios and Captain Abbey Film Production, Demon in the Glass demonstrates the producer’s commitment to stories that explore psychological tension, moral conflict, and spiritual undertones—hallmarks of the creative direction he is carving within Nollywood.

Speaking on the AFRIFF win, the producer  acknowledged the collective effort of the cast and crew whose dedication brought The Day The Heart Died to life. The recognition also underscores Mysticum Studios’ growing reputation as a production house focused on bold, character-driven films with global appeal.

With multiple projects currently in development across short and feature-length formats, Samuel Ojetola continues to position himself as a key voice in the new wave of Nigerian producers redefining narrative depth, genre ambition, and international relevance.