AMAA 2014: The glitz, the glamour

“We’re all we have, we’ll defend our land, We believe in this nation, and we know we’ll get thereWe’re all we have, we’ll defend our land, We believe in Nigeria and the promise she holds And that one day we’ll shine like the sun, We’re a great nation…”These lyrics to the chorus of Timi Dakolo’s […]

“We’re all we have, we’ll defend our land, We believe in this nation, and we know we’ll get there
We’re all we have, we’ll defend our land, We believe in Nigeria and the promise she holds
And that one day we’ll shine like the sun, We’re a great nation…”
These lyrics to the chorus of Timi Dakolo’s song, ‘Great Nation,’ which he performed at the 10th edition of AMAA, couldn’t have been any more apt in describing the significance of the fiesta and its resilience in the Nigerian film industry and the ripple effects it has had on Africa and the world at large.
A live band playing highlife music as is reputable of the Niger Delta welcomed the throng of guests who besieged the Dr. Gabriel Okara Hall of the Bayelsa State Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, the state capital.
The main hall and gallery of the venue were filled to capacity with almost half the number of guests standing, determined to be a part of the evening. Nominees, entertainment and AMAA enthusiasts from Nigeria and other African countries, Asia, Europe and the Americas, all in support for AMAA were fully represented.
Just as it was a night celebrating another symbolic edition, it was also one chronicling AMAA’s history, which old time music from the early 2000s entertaining the guests, reflected.
Acts from within the state showed their creativity in music, comedy and dance, with stand-up comedian, Aproko leaving the audience hungry for more, as they roared with laughter over his mimicking ace actor, Olu Jacobs. Adding more tonic to this were performances by Bez, J Martins, Edge, Ketshe and comedians Buchi and Funny Bone.
Co-hosted by SegunArinze (Nigeria), Mariam Kaptuiya (South Africa), Llyod Nathaniel (UK) and Nana Asokor (Ghana), AMAA has entrenched itself as a strong African brand.
Following an emotional yet glowing tribute in honour of the cinema titan, Amaka Igwe, who was also on the AMAA jury, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, AMAA’s chief executive officer, said: “The AMAAs have survived against all odds and those who have been closely associated with the AMAAs will bear testimony to the struggles that we have been through to come this far.” She also announced that she will be stepping down as the president of AMAA.
The AMAAs which have become a platform that projects the African film industry, received over 500 entries for its categories with short films being the most entered, totalling 150. Steve Ayorinde , head of the jury, announced two new categories, including the Madiba Award for best film with theme on ‘Peace, Humanity and Tolerance;’and Joyce Banda award for best film treating women’s issues.
With winners decided just a few hours before the evening, South Africa received the most award, 11, including the biggest award of the night, AMAA 2014 Award For Best Film (Of Good Report).
The movie ‘Of Good Report’ also earned South Africa four other awards in the categories for Achievement In Screen Play; Best Young/Promising Actor (Petronella Tshuma); Best Actor In A Leading Role (Mothusi Magano); and Best Director (Jamil X.T. Quebeka).
South Africa also was awarded Best Animation (Khumba); Achievement In Make Up (Once Upon A Road Trip); Achievement In Cinematography (The Forgotten Kingdom); Achievement In Sound (The Forgotten Kingdom), Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Thapelo Mofekeng) and Best Child Actor (Lebohang Ntsane).
One of Nollywood’s pioneer actors, Bob-Manuel Udokwu, received a Special Recognition Awards for his contribution to the continent’s film industry.
Thanking AMAA for the recognition, Udokwu, now special adviser to Anambra State governor on entertainment, said he would continue to be an actor as the demand of his political office will not stop him from his acting.
Clarion Chukwurah beat Uche Nnadili (B For Boy); Linda Sokhulu (Felix); Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha (Accident); Joselyn Dumas (Northern Affair); and Uche Jombo, Monalisa Chinda and Daniella Okeke (Lagos Cougar), to clinch the best actress award for her role in ‘Apaye.’
Mama G, Patience Ozokwo also shone at the fete with her award as Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her role in the movie ‘After The Proposal’.
Nigeria also received awards for Best Documentary (Portraits of a Lone Farmer); Best Film In African Language (B For Boy); Achievement In Soundtrack (OnyeOzi); Achievement In Visual Effect (A Mile From Home) and Award For Best Nigerian Film (Accident).
Shirley Frimpong Manso’s ‘Potomanto’ (Ghana), won the award for Achievement in Editing, while Leila Djansi’s ‘Northern Affair,’ won the Achievement In Production Design category award.
Ayorinde noted that each year there are new layers of creativity with first time entries this year from Gabon, Mauritius and Curacao.
The event graced by several A-list acts including Rita Dominic, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Kenneth Okonkwo, Fidelis Duker, Kunle Afolayan and Eniola Badmus, amongst others.
Journalists were not left out of the recognitions. Ten journalists, some of whom have covered the AMAA in the last 10 years, were awarded N16, 265, 614 ($10, 000) as finalists in the Media Recognition Awards to celebrate their contributions in projecting the awards and the motion picture industry to the rest of the world.
The prize money will be shared among the three clear winners and two consolation prize winners will be recognised alongside the AMAA’s People’s Choice Awards in June 2014.
The 10 finalists and their nominated entries are Businessday’s Funke Adetutu (The Peace Anyiam-Osigwe on a show beyond the continent), Sunday Tribune’s Akintayo Abodunrin, (Catalyst to greatness: How AMAA aided their rise to the top), Businessday’s Daniel Obi, (African Film Industry, AMAA and FDIs), National Mirror’s Terh Agbedeh, (Nigerian film industry regains credibility at AMAA) and Akeem Lasisi of The Punch(Thumbs up for Figurine on a night of perfect picture).
Others include Guardian’s Chuks Nwanne, (At 10, AMAA rolls the drum for mother Africa), E24-7’s Biodun Kupoluyi, (Night of AMAAzing performances in Bayelsa), Nolly Silver Screen’s Isabella Akinseye, (AMAA: A decade of uniting, celebrating and rewarding African filmmakers), a Kenyan, Njenga Micugu from Nairobi Digest also made the list with the entry (African film should go digital to discover more Lupitas) and from the broadcast media we were Collins Ukaonu, whose interview in Reel Nollywood on Galaxy Television also made the list.