Nigerians are once again in the global spotlight—and this time, it’s filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson who has taken center stage. At the 46th Annual News & Documentary Emmy Awards held in New York City, Benson won Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary for his co-directed film Madu, making it the first Nigerian documentary ever to win an Emmy.
The win is not only a personal triumph for Benson but also a groundbreaking moment for African storytelling. It reflects how homegrown narratives, when told with depth and integrity, can compete and triumph on the global stage.
Madu: From Viral Dance Clip to Global Recognition
Madu is a Disney Original Documentary that tells the powerful story of Anthony Madu, a young ballet dancer from Ajangbadi, Lagos, who captivated millions around the world when a video of him dancing barefoot in the rain went viral in 2020. The now-famous 44-second clip, viewed over 16 million times, was both a poetic and political image of raw talent pushing past environmental and social barriers.
The documentary, co-directed by Joel Kachi Benson and American filmmaker Matt Ogens, follows Anthony’s journey from Nigeria’s bustling streets to the halls of Elmhurst Ballet School in the United Kingdom, where he earns a scholarship. It is a tale of grit, passion, vulnerability, and the pursuit of dreams across two continents. The film is not only a celebration of Anthony’s life but also an emotional exploration of culture, identity, and displacement.
Since its global premiere on Disney+ in March 2024, Madu has been praised by critics and audiences alike for its emotional authenticity and compelling visuals. It garnered nominations in multiple categories, including Outstanding Direction for a Documentary, and major film festivals, such as the Santa Barbara International Film Festival and Lagos’ iREP International Documentary Film Festival, showcased it.
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The Emmy Win: A Defining Milestone
At the star-studded Emmy ceremony in New York, Madu emerged victorious in a highly competitive category, beating out other globally recognized documentaries like Hollywood Black, Butterfly in the Sky, As We Speak: Rap Music on Trial, and King Coal. The Emmy award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary marked a historic first for Nigeria, spotlighting the rising strength of African documentary filmmaking.
Reacting to the win, Benson posted a heartfelt message on Instagram:
“We won an Emmy!!! Times like this I look back and I’m grateful for the journey, the pain, and the progress. It wasn’t always easy but the Almighty remains the ultimate source of strength… This win is for us—the ones who dare to keep dreaming even when the world is laughing.”
He dedicated the award to Nigeria, his creative team, and “every child with a dream.” For Benson, the Emmy is more than a personal accolade—it is a call to elevate African stories and voices through global storytelling platforms.
About Joel Kachi Benson: Storyteller and Changemaker
Joel Kachi Benson is no stranger to groundbreaking work. Based in Lagos, he is the founder of JB Multimedia Studios, a production house focused on impactful storytelling. His career spans traditional documentaries, VR storytelling, and immersive film experiences. Before Madu, he made international headlines with Daughters of Chibok—a virtual reality documentary that won the Venice Lion for Best VR Story in 2019, another first for an African filmmaker.
Benson has also received accolades for his recent film Mothers of Chibok, which won Best African Feature Documentary at the Encounters South African International Documentary Festival. This film revisits the story of the abducted Chibok girls through the lens of their mothers, shedding light on resilience, grief, and advocacy in the face of national tragedy.
His storytelling approach blends cinematic beauty with raw, lived experience. Whether he’s documenting young dancers or grieving mothers, Benson centers his work on people whose stories are often overlooked, giving them dignity and voice.
Why Madu Resonates Globally
The global success of Madu lies in its honesty and universality. It is a deeply Nigerian story, yet its themes—talent, sacrifice, self-belief—are globally relatable. The film challenges stereotypes about what African talent looks like, especially in an art form like ballet, which has long been associated with privilege and the West.
It also reframes narratives of African youth. Anthony is not a victim; he is a symbol of potential. The documentary explores his struggle to adjust to life in the UK, navigate homesickness, and push through cultural differences—all while pursuing his dream.
Through this lens, Madu becomes more than a biography—it becomes a meditation on opportunity, migration, and the complex beauty of cultural exchange.
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What This Means for African Cinema
Joel Kachi Benson’s Emmy win sends a powerful message to the global creative community: African documentaries can be world-class, award-winning, and transformative. It raises the bar for storytelling on the continent and sets a new benchmark for Nigerian cinema.
The Emmy is also expected to open more funding opportunities, international partnerships, and wider audience access for African documentary filmmakers. It reaffirms that there is a global appetite for authentic, emotionally-driven African narratives.
Additionally, Benson’s win may inspire policymakers and institutions to invest more in the creative economy, especially in documentary and non-fiction formats that often receive less attention than commercial Nollywood productions.
What’s Next for Joel Kachi Benson?
With back-to-back critical successes, Benson is poised for a new chapter in his career. He continues to work on developing stories that blend art, activism, and cultural relevance.
Mothers of Chibok is currently on tour at international film festivals and has been hailed as a potential award contender in its own right. At JB Multimedia Studios, Benson is also investing in mentoring programs to help young Nigerian filmmakers access training, distribution, and international exposure.
His mission remains clear: to tell stories that matter and to place Nigerian voices at the center of global conversations about justice, identity, and hope.
A Win for All Dreamers
Joel Kachi Benson’s Emmy for Madu is not just a trophy—it’s a turning point. It validates the power of a 44-second dance clip, the resilience of a 12-year-old boy, and the genius of a Nigerian director who believed that the world needed to see more than poverty or struggle—it needed to see beauty, strength, and dreams.
It is a win for Africa. A win for storytelling. And most importantly, a win for those who dare to dream boldly.