Winners on Sunday night emerged at the 2023 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.
The 19th edition of the AMAA had Nancy Isime, Richard Ato Turkson and Rahama Sadau as hosts.
Ace Nigerian producer and director, Kunle Afolayan’s movie, Anikulapo won two categories; the Best Achievement in Production Design and Ousmane Sembene award for Best Film in an African Language while Senegal’s ‘Xale,’ won Best Film and Best Costume Design.
CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s ‘Mami Water,’ won Best Film in an African Language, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.
Similarly, Nse Ikpe Etim and Tobi Bakre won Best Actor and Actress In A Leading Role for their roles in ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and ‘4.4.44’ respectively.
Some of the highlights of the show include the moving tribute to the late founder of AMAA, Peace Marie Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe, who passed away in January 2023. The moving tribute left several members of the Anyiam-Osigwe clan teary as well as AMAA jury members, attendees, and other film practitioners
Speaking at the event, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, a director of the board of AFA, owners of AMAA promised that the family will continue with the legacies of late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who impacted on the African film industry and filmmakers before her passing away. He stressed that the preparation for the 20th edition of AMAA has begun and promised to continue partnerships that have been created and made since the inception of the continental film award.
The continental awards ceremony also has had performances from Nigeria Idol’s superstar, Zadok, who left the attendees and guests asking for more with his sterling performance.
Also flying the Nigerian flag high with films by Nigerians, Jude Idada’s ‘Kofa’ won the Film by an African Abroad category. Cameroonian documentary film ‘Le spectre de Boko Haram’ also won the Best Documentary category while ‘Lions’ and ‘Jabari’ won the awards for Best Short FIlm and Best Animation categories.
Another highlight of the night was the honour given to veteran actor Charles Olumo aka Agbako. He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Nigeria’s film industry as an actor of over 50 years of experience.
The event saw celebrities like Bimbo Ademoye, Odunlade Adekola and Nancy Isime among others in attendance.
The event also had in attendance incumbent Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture in Lagos state, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, former commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, George Anyiam-Osigwe, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, and Kite Anyiam-Osigwe.
Also in attendance were the Jury led by Keith Shiri, Shaibu Husseini, Steve Ayorinde, and several film practitioners that include Jimmy Jean-Louis, Bimbo Manuel, Kunle Afolayan, Odunlade Adekola, Ngozi Nwosu, Charles Otudor, Ralph Nwadike, Bimbo Ademoye, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Tony Akposeri, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Foluke Daramola-Salako, Enyinna Nwigwe, Fred Amata, Segun Arinze, Seun Soyinka, Clarion Chukwurah, Papa Ajasco, and several others.
FULL LIST OF AMAA 2023 WINNERS
Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film
Lions – Ethiopia
Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation
Jabari – Ghana
Best Documentary
Le Spectre de Boko Haram – Cameroon
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language
Anikulapo – Nigeria
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by anAfrican-Born Director Living Abroad
KOFA – Nigeria/Canada
Best Diaspora Short Film
Raw Materials – Jamaica
Best Diaspora Documentary
Sound of the Police – United States
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
Our Father, The Devil – United States
Best Achievement in Production Design
Anikulapo – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Xal̩ РSenegal
Best Achievement in Make-Up
Mami Wata – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Soundtrack
Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Sound
Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Mami Wata – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Editing
Omen – DRC
Best Achievement in Screenplay
Xal̩ РSenegal
National Film and Video Censors Board
(NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film
Mami Wata
Best Young/Promising Actor
Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Jimmy Jean-Louis -Rise – United States
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Rokhaya Niang РXal̩ РSenegal
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Nse Ikpe-Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Debut Feature by a Director
Baloji – Omen – DRC
Best Director
Apolline Traore – Sira
Best Film
Xal̩ РSenegal