Throughout industries, high-profile individuals frequently attach their names and credibility to endeavors that also share more universal values like diversity, leadership, and worldwide equity. The entertainment industry has traditionally grappled with issues of representation and inclusion, and has witnessed rising attention to these issues in the last few years. With audiences more internationally intertwined than ever before and media outlets providing exposure for stories from every corner of the globe, awards shows are now often measured not only by glamour and glitz but by their impact in contemporary sociocultural times. In this environment, there is one global platform that has managed to connect continents, cultures, and film expressions: the Septimius Awards.
Founded in Amsterdam, the Septimius Awards made its inaugural edition in June 2022. Named after Roman Emperor Septimius Severus, the title is a purposeful reference to both African heritage and European cultural tradition. In taking up a title originating in African history and Roman imperial tradition, the organizers had intended to create a tone of cross-continental blending from the very beginning. This decision reflects an underlying belief that world storytelling must be inclusive, multilayered, and strongly mindful of its heritage.
Jan-Willem Breure, the creator of the Septimius Awards, wanted to have a platform where global cinema could be judged on an equal level. His method focuses on geographical diversity and the diversity of stories, instead of predominantly in the big markets such as Hollywood. As a media producer and creative entrepreneur, Breure has led the event’s development by organizing categories in honor of movies from all continents. The category system itself is meant to allow for stories that might not be celebrated by more conventional institutions.
A tipping point in the evolution of the awards came with the addition of Stedman Graham as an ambassador. Well-established due to his years-long efforts toward identity leadership and education of young people, Graham is also known for his long-term partnership with Oprah Winfrey. His background includes corporate leadership development training, writing, and public speaking. Graham’s relationship with the Septimius Awards has significant value beyond that. His call for self-leadership and social justice supports the event’s purpose to advocate for equal representation in the world of cinema arts.
Graham’s presence as a representative adds gravity to the event’s international cause. Within a film industry where representation remains an ongoing issue, especially among creators from marginalized communities, Graham’s involvement increases confidence in the awards’ credibility to viewers and participants alike. It positions the awards not just as a celebration of film art, but also as a tool for equality and advancement.
The 2024 awards edition had several high-profile guests in attendance, among them Academy Award-winning actor Cuba Gooding Jr., whose presence was yet another noteworthy occasion for the platform. Gooding Jr., famously known for his work on movies like Jerry Maguire and Men of Honor with Robert De Niro, has had a career spanning films that delve into race, justice, and survival. His presence underscored the event’s dedication to advancing stories that address in-depth societal themes and international realities.
Another ambassador is Glenn Roggeman, who contributes additional institutional weight to the awards. Roggeman is perhaps the well-known as the CEO of AED Studios in Belgium, Europe’s largest film and TV production facilities. With an estimated net worth of over €300 million, Roggeman’s involvement lends industry leverage and connectivity to large European production networks. His experience in both creative and business aspects of media supports the platform’s operational foundation and profile.
Although the awards trace their origins to Europe, their ambit is consciously international. The biennial two-day festival includes panel discussions apart from the awards ceremony, providing room for discussion among world filmmakers, critics, and industry bigwigs. The intention is not just to hail cinema but to bring people together across continents. Participants have been BAFTA, Oscar, and Emmy award winners as well, further solidifying the authenticity of the event.
In a 2022 report by the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, just 7.5% of Hollywood’s top 100 grossing films had a director who belonged to an underrepresented racial or ethnic group. The Septimius Awards, like other institutions, seek to address this by providing a platform that celebrates global viewpoints. Breure’s framework for the awards specifically incorporates directors from Africa, Asia, Oceania, Latin America, Europe, and North America.
In line with its purpose, the event is also mindful of its location and production decisions. As held in Amsterdam, the awards tap the city’s history as a center of global commerce and multiculturalism. The theater venue itself, where the ceremony is held, is a reflection of the fusion of old-world European style and contemporary film presentation.
By 2024, the Septimius Awards had started to take hold not just with filmmakers but also with global media. Outlets such as Forbes, GQ, and Elle have featured the awards, further increasing coverage. These media outlets picked up on the event’s distinctive take on the usual awards season, which tends to revolve around a select group of films and geographies.
In the end, the devolution of the Septimius Awards mirrors changing dynamics within the world of cinema. As platforms keep popping up across the globe, allegiance is no longer limited to traditional institutions. Graham’s ambassador role, as well as those from individuals such as Roggeman and appearances by talent such as Gooding Jr., places the event within a larger discussion regarding who gets to tell stories and who gets awarded for them.
In a time when content is worldwide, the demand for institutions that are genuinely international and inclusive grows increasingly urgent. The Septimius Awards, from their very beginning in 2022 to ongoing development into 2025, provide a study in how cultural heritage, leadership, and fairness can potentially become the defining characteristics of an updated awards platform. With leaders such as Stedman Graham driving the awards’ focus, the direction of the awards seems poised for further vitality in a media landscape in constant flux.
