The Africa Film Academy, which organizes the Africa Movie Academy Awards, revealed the nominees for the 19th edition of the prestigious continental awards ceremony on September 21, 2023.
Two popular Nigerian films, ‘Mami Water’ and ‘Anikulapo’, garnered significant attention among the nominees.
During the nomination announcement event, hosted by veteran actor and singer Segun Arinze, a moment of silence was observed in memory of the late founder and Chief Executive Officer of AFA and AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe.
Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, representing the board, and Steve Ayorinde, representing the AMAA jury, also outlined the activities for the 2023 edition of this respected film and movie awards ceremony.
The awards ceremony, themed ‘The Renaissance,’ is scheduled to take place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at The Balmoral event center, situated within Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja, Lagos.
Steve Ayorinde, on behalf of the AMAA jury, disclosed the nominees across 26 categories, emphasizing the rigorous and meticulous process the jury undertook to select the nominees.
Among the multiple nominations, ‘Mami Water’ secured recognition in categories such as ‘Best Achievement in Costume Design,’ ‘Best Achievement in Make-Up,’ ‘Best Achievement in Visual Effects,’ ‘Best Achievement in Sound,’ ‘Best Achievement in Cinematography,’ ‘Best Achievement in Editing,’ ‘Best Achievement in Screenplay,’ and ‘Best Nigerian Film.’ ‘Anikulapo’ earned nominations in categories including ‘Best Film in an African Language,’ ‘Best Achievement in Production Design,’ ‘Best Achievement in Costume Design’ (Toyin Ogundeji), ‘Best Achievement in Make-Up’ (Hakeem Effect), and ‘Best Nigerian Film.’
Other Nigerian films, such as ‘Four Four Forty-Four,’ ‘Brotherhood,’ and ‘The Trade,’ also received multiple nominations.
In the ‘Best Actor in a Leading Role’ category, notable nominees included Richard Mofe Damijo (4-4-44 Four Four Forty-Four– Nigeria), Marc Zinga (Omen – DRC), Fenando Kamugisha (The Fallen Advocate – Uganda), Tobi Bakre (Brotherhood – Nigeria), Justine Murichii (Shimoni – Kenya), and Mike Danon (Sira— Burkina Faso).
In the ‘Best Actress in a Leading Role’ category, outstanding nominees included Lucie Debay (Omen – DRC), Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa (Four Walls – South Africa), Nafissatou Cissé (Sira – Burkina Faso), Adesua Etomi (Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria), Nse Ikpe Etim (4-4-44 Four Four Forty-Four— Nigeria), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo – Nigeria), and Ama Qamata (Fight Like a Girl – DRC).
The ‘Best Actor in a Supporting Role’ category featured nominees Francis Onwochei (The Trade – Nigeria), Jeff Jackson (Four Walls – South Africa), Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Fight Like a Girl – DRC), and Jimmy-Jean Louis (Rise).
Finally, the ‘Best Actress in a Supporting Role’ category included Uzoamaka Aniunoh (Mami Wata – Nigeria), Rokhaya Niang (Xalé – Senegal), and Clarck Natmbwe (Fight Like a Girl – DRC).
