The glitz, glamour of AMVCA 2016

It was a night of excitement, glamour, humour and raw emotion as African movie industry practitioners gathered at the 2016 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Stylish and glamorous displays on the red carpet which characterized the arrival of top-notch industry players later dovetailed into […]

It was a night of excitement, glamour, humour and raw emotion as African movie industry practitioners gathered at the 2016 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos.
Stylish and glamorous displays on the red carpet which characterized the arrival of top-notch industry players later dovetailed into spectacular acts and African cinema replete with exciting musical performances, comedy displays and emotional speeches.
With live broadcast on all on Multichoice channels, Nigeria’s IK Osakioduwa and South African TV host, Minnie Dhlamini put up what could be described as a dazzling performance, piloting the show.
The show came to a climax when the hall literally stood still for Bukky Ajayi, a legend of Nollywood who bagged the 2016 Industry Merit Award alongside Sadiq Daba. An emotional Bukky Ajayi, who was led to the stage on a wheel chair, received a standing ovation from the audience who acknowledged her contributions to African film and cinema spanning over 50 years.
To spice the moment were musical interlude by African artistes like Flavour, Yemi Alade and Zonke, as well as brilliant comedy displays by Ugandan comic Salvador, and Thomas Gumede from South Africa. 
One of the night’s big winners was Daniel K. Daniel, who took home the award for Best Actor in a drama category for his role in ‘A Soldier’s Story’. Screen starlet, Adesua Etomi took home the prize for Best Actress in a drama for her role in ‘Falling’.
A visibly excited Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju won the 2016 trailblazer award, and was given a prize of an SUV from JAC motors.
Other winners at the event were Stephanie Linus whose movie ‘Dry’ won the Best Overall movie (Africa); Trish Malone – Best Writer of a movie/TV series Ayanda; Uche Nancy – Best Costume Designer (Dry); Louiza Carole – Best Make Up Artist (Ayanda); Stanley Ohikhuare – Best Lighting Designer (Common Man); Akin Omotosho – Best Director (Tell Me Sweet Something); and Shirley Frimpong-Manso who won Best Picture Editor award.
Other winners include Remi Vaughan-Richards, Best Documentary (Faaji Agba); Frank Raja Arase, Best Art Director Movie/Tv Series (the Refugees); Paul Michaelson, Best Cinematographer (Tell Me Sweet Something); and Marquex Jose Guillermo, Best Sound Editor (Dry).
On their parts, Ariyike Oladipo, Folarin Falana, Daniel K. Daniel, Funke Akindele, Adesua Etomi won in Best Television Series, Best Actor In A Comedy (Movie/TV Series), Best Actor In A Drama (Movie/TV Series), Best Actress In A Comedy (Movie/TV Series) and Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) respectively.
Among the winners were also Joyce Mhango Chavula, Best Movie-Southern Africa; Sambassa Nzeribe, Best Supporting Actor; Tunbosun Aiyedihin, Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series);  Oluseyi Amuwa, Best Short film Or Online Video; Abiodun Jimoh, Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series -Yoruba; and Jumoke Odetola, Best Movie – West Africa (Drama/Comedy).
Chinny Onwugbenu, Genevieve Nnaji and Chichi Nwoko clinched the award for Best Movie -West Africa; Paul Igwe, Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series – Igbo; Salisu Balarabe, Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series – Hausa; Josephat Lukaza, Best Indigenous Language Movie/TV Series – Swahili; and Elizabeth Michael, Best Movie – East Africa.
Nkiru Sylvanus, actress and former Special Assistant on Lagos Affairs to Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State, who said she was glad to be part of this year’s AMVCA. Though not a nominee for any of the category, said she was there to felicitate with nominees and winners alike.
“Although I am not a nominee for any of the category, I feel I still need to be here to felicitate and encourage people to work harder. AMVCA is really nice and encouraging. Events like this often make film actors, directors and producers to put in more efforts in the future,” she said.
Another actor cum politician, Femi Adebayo, also expressed joy at being part of the event. Adebayo, who was recently appointment as the Special Adviser on Arts, Culture and Tourism to the Kwara State Government, said is on record that AMVCA is one of the biggest awards we have in Africa for now. Every year, it keeps improving. I’m really proud to be associated with it. I don’t have nominations but I’m here to celebrate with nominees and winners,” Adebayo said.
He also expressed confidence in the nomination process, saying the organizers have always been fair with regards to the fact that it was the viewers who select winners.
“Well for the nomination process I can say they have always been fair. Don’t forget that this is a viewers’ award; the winners are selected or voted for by the viewers. They are the viewers’ choice,” he said.
Kannywood actor and movie producer, Nuhu Abdullahi also expressed confidence in the nomination process. A nominee with the movie ‘Baya Da Kura,’ Abdullahi said the fact that some movies from Kannywood are now being slated for voting and awards, shows greater acceptability of the industry’s works and viewers’ recognition.
“It is good that actors and films producers are being appreciated for their works. This is the first nomination I would be getting and I am very glad. I just hope Africa and indeed Nigeria will have more of these as a way of recognizing those of us in the entertainment industry. Yes, I have confidence in the voting process because I know that the viewers are the ones voting, and except one’s film is popular among the viewing public, one may not have been so recognized or invited,” Abdullahi said.
For John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, said the organizers of AMVCA need is encouragement as they have put in place an initiative that’s worth commending. Okafor, who was among award presenters at the event called for the sustainability of the initiative.
On improvement, Tope Oshin Ogun, said “the organizers need to sustain the tempo of making people know that the process is transparent and its integrity can be vouched for.”