The highly praised film series, ‘Shanty Town,’ alongside two other movies— ‘Herdsmen’ and ‘Underbelly’— prominently featured in the recently unveiled nominees’ list for the 2023 Best of Nollywood Awards.
‘Shanty Town,’ a crime thriller by Xavier Ighorodje, Chichi Nworah, and produced by Chinenye Nworah, earned nominations in 15 out of 29 award categories.
The six-part Netflix series, released in January, boasts a star-studded cast including Chidi Mokeme, Ini Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Sola Sobowale, Nancy Isime, Shaffy Bello, Ali Nuhu, and others.
Nominations for ‘Shanty Town’ span various categories, including Best Social Message, Special Effects, Sound, Best Use of Costume, Best Use of Make-Up, Movie of the Year, Director of the Year, Best Actor (Chidi Mokeme), and Best Actress (Ini Edo).
Following closely, ‘Herdsmen’ secured 11 nominations.
Produced by Chloe Coko and directed by Toka Mcbaror, the film, shot in Kaduna State, delves into the complex dynamics of the herdsmen and farmer crisis in Nigeria.
Nominations include Best Social Message, Special Effects, Production Design, and Movie of the Year.
Similarly, ‘Underbelly’ gathered 11 nominations. Produced by Tunde Aina, the movie explores themes of love, betrayal, and survival in a harsh environment.
Categories include Special Effects, Soundtrack, Best Use of Costume, Production Design, and Movie of the Year.
The Best of Nollywood Awards, inaugurated in December 2009 in Ikeja, Lagos State, is scheduled for December 22, 2023, with the host state yet to be announced.
Apart from Lagos, the awards ceremony has been hosted in states such as Ogun, Oyo, Kogi, Kano, Ekiti, Delta, Abia, and Imo.
Additional categories in the esteemed Nollywood recognition platform encompass Best Child Actor (Female), Best Short Film, Special Effects, Best Use of Costume, Use of Food, Best Kiss, Cinematography, Most Promising Actor, Most Promising Actress, Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Yoruba), Best Actress in a Yoruba Movie, Best Actor in an English Movie, Director of the Year, and Movie of the Year.
