Nigerian filmmaker Joel Kachi Benson's 'Madu' has won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Arts and Culture Documentary. The award was presented at the 46th News and Documentary Emmy Awards in New York City on June 26, 2025.
'Madu' tells the inspiring story of Anthony Madu, a young ballet dancer from Lagos, Nigeria. His 2020 viral video of dancing barefoot in the rain gained over 16 million views.
The documentary, co-directed by Benson and Matt Ogens, follows Anthony's journey to the Elmhurst Ballet School in the UK. The film premiered on Disney+ on March 29, 2024, and has received critical acclaim.
Benson dedicated the award to Nigeria and every child with a dream. The film's win highlights the global appeal of African documentary storytelling. It beat out strong contenders in its category.