AMAA organisers call for entries

Nathaniel Bivan The Africa Film Academy has invited filmmakers to submit their work for consideration in nearly 30 categories of the 14th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Films expected include feature, short, animation and documentary works.  Deadline for all submissions is January 30, 2018. A late entry deadline is February 14, 2018 Submission is on […]

Nathaniel Bivan

The Africa Film Academy has invited filmmakers to submit their work for consideration in nearly 30 categories of the 14th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Films expected include feature, short, animation and documentary works. 

Deadline for all submissions is January 30, 2018. A late entry deadline is February 14, 2018 Submission is on Film Freeway and in any of the AMAA offices across the continent.

Nominations will be announced on April 2018 while the 14th edition of the AMAA will be held on June 2, 2018 and televised globally. Only films produced and released between June 2016 and January 2018 may be entered.

The AMAA was founded in 2005. Mostly held in Nigeria, it evolved from a one day event, televised live, to an annually chronicled African event. The primary aim of the awards is to facilitate the development and the showcasing of the social relevance of African film and cinema. The awards are presented to recognize and honour excellence in professional filmmaking in the African film industry and the African Diaspora.

Over the years, the award presentation has been attended by numerous international media representatives, Hollywood celebrities, Nigerian politicians, other African politicians, journalists, film industry professionals, and actors and actresses from across Africa.

The 2017 AMAA took place on July 15, 2017 at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre in Lagos State, Nigeria. The event was hosted by notable Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe Etim. Awards were presented in about 30 categories including best animation, best Diaspora feature, Best Africa Film in the Diaspora and Best Diaspora Short Film Awards inclusive of Caribbean Shorts and Caribbean features, achievement in make-up, achievement in production design, and achievement in editing, achievement in screenplay, best actor and actress in a supporting role, and more.

The award for best African actor of the year went to Jahwar Soudani for his lead role in the Tunisian movie ‘Last of Us’ while the Congolese born actress Vero Tshanda won the best actress for her lead role in the Senegalese movie ‘Félicité’ by Allan Gomis. ‘Felicite’ emerged the biggest winner of the night and won the AMAA 2017 Best Film and lots more.  Other winners include Akin Omotoso, who won the best director award, Nkem Owoh who received the Lifetime Achievement Award and ‘76’ which won the Lagos State Best Nigerian film award. The Best Diaspora Short was a joint award and the award was presented to the short films titled ’90 Days’ (USA) and ‘KBELA’ (Brazil). Disney’s ‘Queen of Katwe’ won the award for Achievement in Costume Design and the Best Young/ Promising Actor award, which went to Medina Molanga.  

AMAA is an African Celebration of film and African Filmmakers.