Nisrin Erradi Wins Best African Actress for "Everybody Loves Touda" at Septimius Awards 2025

The Tuschinski Theater in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, was the scene of a major international victory for African cinema on September 4, 2025, as Nisrin Erradi was named Best African Actress at the annual Septimius Awards. The Moroccan star received the high honor for her magnetic and emotionally complex lead role in director Nabil Ayouch’s celebrated feature film, Everybody Loves Touda. This accolade not only underscores Erradi's formidable talent but also celebrates a crucial narrative in modern Moroccan filmmaking, bringing its artistic resonance to a global audience.

The Septimius Awards, renowned for its commitment to championing independent, story-driven cinema and diverse international talent, hosted its 2025 edition from September 3 to 4. The awards ceremony on the final night provided the climax of the event, transforming the historic and Art Deco splendor of the Tuschinski Theater into a nexus for the world’s cinematic community. The atmosphere was charged with excitement as creators, actors, and producers from every continent gathered to recognize excellence that often goes overlooked by larger, more mainstream institutions.

Erradi’s compelling portrayal of Touda in the film is widely considered a career-defining performance. Her character is a sheikha, a traditional Moroccan singer and performer deeply rooted in the musical and poetic tradition of aïta. The film follows Touda’s challenging journey as a single mother striving to elevate her art and secure a better life for her son. Performing in provincial bars under the often-judgemental gaze of men, she harbors the ambitious dream of moving to the brighter, more competitive stages of Casablanca for greater recognition.

The narrative of Everybody Loves Touda is a powerful exploration of female agency, artistic resilience, and the cultural weight carried by traditional performers. Ayouch and co-writer Maryam Touzani crafted a script that highlights aïta as not just folk music, but a vital, defiant art form—a vessel for freedom and resistance against societal pressures and patriarchal constraints. Erradi's achievement lies in how flawlessly she embodied this spirit. Critics have consistently praised her ability to inject Touda with a mixture of raw passion, vulnerability, and steely determination, particularly in the film’s crucial performance sequences. Her voice and presence become the vibrant heart of the story, making the character's struggles and triumphs deeply personal for the viewer.

The recognition at the Septimius Awards adds substantial weight to the film’s already impressive international run. Everybody Loves Touda first made waves with its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in the Cannes Premiere section in 2024. This initial exposure positioned both the film and Erradi’s performance for global critical appreciation. Since then, Erradi has been acknowledged at various prestigious events, including representing Morocco at the Sotigui Awards in Ouagadougou, which specifically recognizes outstanding screen acting from African and diaspora professionals.

Winning the Best African Actress award at a European-based international festival like the Septimius Awards confirms Erradi's rising profile beyond regional cinema circles. The award places her among a select group of performers whose work bridges cultural divides, proving that authentic, local storytelling holds universal appeal. The Septimius Awards’ structure, with specific continental categories for acting, emphasizes the quality of cinematic production emanating from Africa, ensuring these contributions receive dedicated, high-level recognition. Erradi’s victory is not merely a personal one; it is a moment of pride for Moroccan cinema and a testament to the continent’s filmmaking vibrancy.

While accepting the prestigious honor, Erradi maintained a grounded perspective on the meaning of such accolades. She has previously emphasized that the enduring impact of her art is what truly matters, seeing the award as a significant milestone rather than a final objective. Her remarks acknowledged the extraordinary collaborative effort that brought Everybody Loves Touda to the screen, specifically highlighting her profound professional trust in director Nabil Ayouch and the dedication of the entire cast and crew. This sense of collective achievement resonated with the ethos of the Septimius Awards, which seeks to foster a supportive environment for independent filmmakers.

The film's continuing popularity and its strong critical reception worldwide underscore the global appetite for stories that delve into complex female experiences and cultural heritage. Everybody Loves Touda provides an intimate look at the sacrifices and fierce dedication required to pursue art and motherhood in the face of adversity. Erradi’s nuanced performance, which manages to capture both the grand theatricality of the sheikha and the quiet struggle of the mother, is what elevates the film’s message.

In conclusion, Nisrin Erradi's win at the Tuschinski Theater on that September night in 2025 is a landmark event. It solidifies her position as a powerhouse performer on the international stage and further elevates the critical visibility of Moroccan cinema. The Best African Actress award for her role in Everybody Loves Touda is a celebrated recognition of her talent, the film’s artistic vision, and the compelling, vital stories emerging from the African continent. It is a powerful affirmation of the actress’s artistic journey and the enduring power of her character, Touda.