Love & New Notes Leads 2026 BON Awards Nominations With Nine

Nollywood romantic drama Love & New Notes has emerged as the leading contender at the 2026 Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards after receiving nine nominations, placing it ahead of several other notable Nigerian productions in this year's awards race.

The nominations were announced on Sunday, November 1, 2026, setting the stage for another celebration of Nigerian filmmaking and creative talent. The film's strong showing reflects its recognition across several categories and makes it one of the productions to watch as the industry looks towards the awards ceremony.

Coming behind it is The Herd, which secured eight nominations. Meanwhile, The Creek, Aba Blues, Colours of Fire and Efunroye: The Unicorn each received seven nominations, demonstrating the breadth of competition among this year's shortlisted productions.

The announcement has generated interest among film enthusiasts, actors, directors and producers, with attention now turning to which productions and individuals will eventually take home awards. Premium Times Nigeria+1

The Herd and other films strengthen the competition

Although Love & New Notes leads the nominations, The Herd is close behind with eight nominations, giving it a strong presence across the shortlist.

Four other films — The Creek, Aba Blues, Colours of Fire and Efunroye: The Unicorn — received seven nominations each. Their performances in the nominations underline the range of stories and filmmaking approaches represented in the 2026 selection.

3 Cold Dishes also secured six nominations, while Behind the Scenes and Agesinkole (King of Thieves) each received five.

The distribution of nominations suggests that this year's competition will involve several productions rather than being dominated by a single title. It also highlights the growing visibility of films exploring different themes, from contemporary relationships and social experiences to cultural identity and historical storytelling.

For the filmmakers and cast members involved, multiple nominations offer recognition for the collective work behind each production, including acting, directing, writing, technical production and other creative contributions.

Director of the Year category features strong contenders

One of the closely watched categories at the 2026 BON Awards is Director of the Year, which features six nominees whose films have also attracted significant recognition.

The nominees include Toka McBaror for The Creek, Jack'enneth Opukeme for Aba Blues and Kayode Kasum for Love & New Notes.

Bayo Tijani and Abbey Lanre received joint recognition for Efunroye: The Unicorn, while Asurf Oluseyi was nominated for 3 Cold Dishes. Daniel Etim Effiong also earned a nomination for his work on The Herd.

The six films represented in the Director of the Year category are also among the productions shortlisted for Movie of the Year.

The category brings together filmmakers with different creative approaches and storytelling styles. Their nominations recognise the work involved in translating scripts into compelling screen productions and coordinating the performances, visual direction and technical elements that shape a finished film.

More categories recognise different areas of filmmaking

Beyond the headline nominations, the 2026 BON Awards shortlist includes categories designed to recognise different aspects of the Nigerian film industry.

These include Best Indigenous Film, Best Social Message, Best Short Film and Best Documentary, alongside the major acting, directing and production awards.

The inclusion of these categories gives productions of different sizes and storytelling approaches an opportunity to receive recognition. It also acknowledges the contribution of filmmakers working beyond mainstream commercial releases, including those exploring local languages, community experiences and socially relevant subjects.

The Best Social Message category is particularly important in a film industry where productions increasingly engage with issues affecting families, communities and wider Nigerian society. Indigenous-language storytelling also remains a major part of Nollywood's identity, helping filmmakers preserve cultural expressions while reaching audiences across different regions.

The nominations therefore provide a snapshot of the variety of stories and creative work being produced in the country.

Enugu set to host the 2026 ceremony

Enugu has been selected to host the 2026 Best of Nollywood Awards, bringing the ceremony to a state with a long-standing connection to Nigeria's film and creative industries.

The hosting decision places the spotlight on the South-East and offers an opportunity to showcase the region's cultural heritage, creative talent and hospitality to filmmakers and entertainment professionals travelling for the event.

The BON Awards have become an established part of Nigeria's entertainment calendar, bringing together actors, directors, producers, writers and other industry professionals to celebrate achievements in filmmaking.

For Enugu, hosting the event also presents an opportunity to attract visitors and generate attention for its creative economy. The ceremony is expected to bring together nominees, industry stakeholders and supporters of Nigerian cinema.

Further details about the event programme and ceremony arrangements are expected to keep audiences engaged as the awards draw closer.

A significant moment for the nominated productions

With nine nominations, Love & New Notes enters the awards season as the film attracting the most attention on the shortlist. However, the strong performances from The Herd, The Creek, Aba Blues, Colours of Fire and Efunroye: The Unicorn mean the competition remains wide open.

For the nominees, the recognition represents an opportunity to celebrate the work that goes into making Nigerian films and connecting their stories with audiences.

The 2026 nominations also highlight the continued importance of awards platforms in drawing attention to the people and productions shaping Nollywood. As the industry expands its reach through cinema releases and digital distribution, events such as the BON Awards provide a space to recognise creative achievement and encourage further investment in local storytelling.

All eyes will now be on Enugu as the nominees prepare for the ceremony and the announcement of this year's winners.