The Devil’s Diary: AWO-FEST convener wins Best Production Design at LIFACC
--Affirms commitment to African storytelling
The organiser of the highly anticipated AWO-FEST 2026, Jeffrey Uzoma Fidelis, has added another significant milestone to his growing body of work, winning the Best Production Design award at the Lagos International Film and Cinema Convention (LIFACC) for the feature film, The Devil’s Diary.
The award comes after the film received multiple nominations across major categories, including Best Director, Best Feature Film, and several other competitive honours, further cementing the reputation of TU Studios Africa, the South African-based production company co-owned by Fidelis, as one of the emerging voices in contemporary African cinema.
Known equally as a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, marketing strategist, and community development advocate, Fidelis has consistently maintained that storytelling should do more than entertain—it should challenge, educate, and transform society.
The Devil’s Diary explores the psychological and social consequences of childhood neglect, emotional abandonment, and unresolved trauma. The film follows the disturbing descent of a young man whose hatred of women is shaped by his upbringing, ultimately exposing the devastating cost of broken homes, absent parenting, and untreated emotional wounds. Rather than glorifying violence, the film invites audiences to confront the deeper societal failures that often create it.
Speaking after receiving the award, Fidelis said:
> “African storytelling is no longer asking for a seat at the table—it is building its own. Our stories carry the power to reshape culture, challenge harmful norms, and inspire a generation to think differently about the society we are creating. *The Devil’s Diary* is ultimately a conversation about what happens when we fail our children. Every broken adult was once a child whose pain went unanswered. If we can save one young person before the world breaks them, we don’t just save one life—we protect countless others they will one day influence.”
This philosophy extends beyond film. Through the Fidelis Ukebuo Foundation and the Uzoma Life Academy, Fidelis has continued to champion youth development, mentorship, mindset transformation, and community empowerment. These same ideals form the foundation of AWO-FEST, a three-day music, culture, lifestyle, and youth empowerment festival designed to celebrate talent, stimulate local enterprise, and restore pride in community through creativity and collaboration.
As preparations for AWO-FEST 2026 gather momentum, this latest international recognition serves as another reminder that the vision driving the festival is rooted in more than entertainment. It is part of a broader mission to harness the power of creativity as a force for social renewal, using film, culture, education, and community engagement to inspire a generation and help shape a stronger future for Africa.
