Entertainment
AMAA 2023 Celebrates Excellence in African Cinema
The 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards took place on Oct. 29, at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. This grand event gathered filmmakers from across the globe to celebrate the outstanding achievements in African cinema.
In a star-studded ceremony, Nancy Isime, Rahama Sadau, and Richard Ato Turkson hosted the celebrated awards gala, setting the stage for a night filled with excitement and glamour.
C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s cinematic masterpiece, “Mami Wata,” stood out with an impressive 12 nominations. The film received accolades in several categories, including Best Film in an African Language, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Screenplay, and Best Director. The nominations highlighted the exceptional talent and creativity behind “Mami Wata.”
Another shining star of the evening was Tobi Bakre, who garnered attention and acclaim for his performance in “Brotherhood.” Bakre’s compelling portrayal earned him the Best Actor in a Leading Role award, cementing his place as one of the industry’s rising stars.
Nse Ikpe Etim, a seasoned actress known for her versatility, received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her outstanding performance in “4-4-44.” Her talent and dedication were evident as she brought her character to life on the silver screen, leaving an impression on the audience.
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Best Actress In a Leading Role
Additionally, the award-winning film “Anikulapo,” directed by renowned Nigerian producer and director Kunle Afolayan, also made its mark. The movie clinched two significant categories, Best Achievement in Production Design and the Ousmane Sembene award for Best Film in an African Language. Afolayan’s work demonstrated his commitment to storytelling and the visual arts, impressing both critics and the audience.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards celebrated not only established talents but also emerging voices in African cinema. It was a night of diversity, recognizing filmmakers from different African countries and the African diaspora who contributed to the industry’s growth and evolution.
See the full list of nominees and winners at the AMAA 2023 awards below.
Efere Ozaka Award For Best Short Film
Lions (Ethiopia) – Winner
Riel (Namibia)
Enmity Djin (Mauritania)
Jubril Malaifia Award For Best Animation
Lost (Uganda)
Azania Rises (South Africa)
Jabari (Ghana) – Winner
Bashorum Gaa (Nigeria)
Best Documentary
Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern Civilization (Senegal/Canada)
Nightlife in Lasgidi (Nigeria)
Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border (Senegal)
Ifine (Beauty) (Sierra Leone)
Le Spectre de Boko Haram (Cameroon) – Winner
Ousmane Sembene Award For Best Film In An African Language
Pusha Pressa Phanda (South Africa)
Anikulapo (Nigeria) – Winner
The Kitera Chronicle (Uganda)
Four Walls (South Africa)
Mami Wata (Nigeria)
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award For Best Film By An African-Born Director Living Abroad
Talia’s Journey (Senegal/Belgium) – Christophe Rolin
Golden Stripes (Nigeria/UK) – Peace Osigbe
KOFA (Nigeria/Canada) – Jude Idada – Winner
Apoline Traore – Best Director
Best Diaspora Short Film
We Were Meant To (United States) – directed by Tari Wariebi
The Ballad of Olive Morris (United Kingdom) – directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
Fifty-Four Days (United Kingdom) – directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
Raw Materials (Jamaica) – Directed by Sosiessia Nixon – Winner
Best Diaspora Documentary
Sound of the Police (United States) – Directed by Stanley Nelson – Winner
Fantastico Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet (United States) – directed by Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
Black Rio (Brazil) – directed by Fernando Sousa and Gabriel Barbosa
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
Cheese (Trinidad & Tobago) – directed by Damian Marcano
Our Father, The Devil (United States) – Directed by Ellie Foumbi – Winner
The Pastor and the Revolutionary (Brazil) – directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
Best Achievement in Production Design
Pat Nebo – Anikulapo – Nigeria – Winner
Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
Sira – Burkina Faso
Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa
Rokhaya Niang – Best Actress In a Supporting Role
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal – Winner
Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Make-Up
Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria – Winner
Hakeem Effect and Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
Lila Vander Elst – Omen – DRC
Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Omowunmi Okungbure – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Soundtrack
Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda – Winner
L’Axe Lourd (The Highway) – Cameroon
Gereza – South Africa
Omen – DRC
Obinna Arua – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
Andrej Gregori, Voranc Kumar, Ziga Radulji -Omen – DRC
Alexandre Dachkevitch – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Josh Borrill – The Trade – Nigeria
Emmanuel Bassey – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria – Winner
Baloji – First Debut Feature By A Director
Best Achievement in Sound
Juliana Oswald – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Vianney Aube – Sira – Burkina Faso – Winner
Erik Griekspoor – Omen – DRC
Samy Bardet – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Michel Tsagli – Xalé – Senegal
Best Achievement in Cinematography
Lilis Soares – Mami Wata – Nigeria – Winner
Joachim Philippe – Omen – DRC
Richard Henkels – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Thomas Wilski – Talia’s Journey – Senegal/Belgium
Eduardo Kropotkine – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Best Achievement in Editing
Nathan Delannoy – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Bertrand Conard – Omen – DRC – Winner
Sylvie Gadner – Sira – Burkina Faso
Layla Swart – Gereza
Matthew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl
Best Achievement in Screenplay
C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Ufuoma MeHHri – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Moussa Sene Absa, Pierre Magny, Ben Diogay Beye – Xalé – Senegal – Winner
Matthew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award for Best Nigerian Film
Mami Wata – Winner
Anikulapo
4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
Gangs of Lagos
The Trade
L.I.F.E.
Brotherhood
Best Young/Promising Actor
Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos – Winner
Ewube -L’axe Lourd (The Highway
Darisimi Nadi – Obara’m
Sanou Titiama – Le chant des fusils (The Song of the Rifle
Eyiyemi Afolyan – Anikulapo
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Francis Onwuchei – The Trade – Nigeria
Jeff Jackson – Four Walls – South Africa
Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Jimmy-Jean Louis – Rise – Winner
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Rokhaya Niang – Xalé – Senegal – Winner
Clarck Natmbwe – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Richard Mofe Demalo – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Marc Zunga – Omen – DRC
Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate –Uganda
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria – Winner
Justine Murichii – Shimoni – Kenya
Mike Danon – Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Lucie Debay – Omen – DRC
Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa – 4 Walls – South Africa
Nafissatou Sisse – Sira – Burkina Faso
Adesua Etomi – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Nse Ikpe Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria – Winner
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo – Nigeria
Ama Qamata – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
First Debut Feature by a Director
Baloji – Omen – DRC – Winner
Ery Claver – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Jean Elliot Ilboudo (le Chant des fusils) The Song of the Riffle – Cameron
Best Director
Moussa Sene Absa – Xalé
C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata
Baloji – Omen
Apolline Traore – Sira – Winner
Izu Ojukwu – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Kgosana Monchusi, Menzi Mzimela, Juvaiś Dunn – 4 Walls
Best Film
Xalé- Senegal – Winner
Mami Wata – Nigeria
4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) Nigeria
Omen – DRC
4 Walls – South Africa
Sira – Burkina Faso
Anikulapo – Nigeria
Reekado Banks hints at exposing an industry figure who sabotages emerging talents, clarifying it’s not Don Jazzy after fan speculation
Popular Nigerian singer, Reekado Banks, has raised eyebrows with a cryptic post on X (formerly Twitter), in which he threatened to expose a person he claims is sabotaging emerging talents in the Nigerian music industry.
The singer described this mysterious figure as either “demonic or clueless,” suggesting that they have a history of attracting bright new artists only to hinder their success through poor decisions.
In his post, Banks revealed that this individual, despite being involved with some of the best budding talents, had managed to slow down or even derail their careers. He promised to shed light on this personality during an upcoming interview.
The post read, “One day, I’ll take an interview to talk about someone in the corners of the entertainment industry, who’s either absolutely clueless or plain demonic.
Somehow, the brightest budding talents fall in their lap and either through cluelessness or pure demonic activities, they agree to policies that effectively slow these talents down and for some other talents, frustrate them out of pursuing their dreams. One day…”
Banks’ statement quickly led to speculations among fans that he was referring to a figure from his past, particularly from his time at Mavins Records, the label where he first rose to fame. Given that Mavins’ CEO, Don Jazzy, was instrumental in Reekado’s career, many assumed the post was aimed at him.
However, Reekado was quick to clarify the misunderstanding in another post, writing, “It may not be obvious to you all, but I’m definitely not referring to Baba J [Don Jazzy]. Ejo lol, pls n thanks.”
Despite the clarification, Banks did not reveal the identity of the alleged saboteur, leaving fans to speculate further. Nonetheless, his comments have sparked conversation around the challenges facing emerging artists in the highly competitive Nigerian music industry, where both internal and external factors can significantly influence a career’s trajectory.
Nollywood star Iyabo Ojo steals the spotlight at her movie premiere in Lagos, where she embodied her warrior character in an unforgettable entrance
Nollywood actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo left a lasting impression in Lagos over the weekend with the premiere of her highly anticipated movie, *Labake Olododo: The Warrior Lord*.
Also read: Iyabo Ojo celebrates daughter Priscilla’s career milestone with heartfelt message
The star-studded event, which took place on March 23rd at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX Lekki, brought together some of the biggest names in Nollywood to celebrate this latest cinematic achievement.
Ojo made an entrance that captivated the audience, fully embracing her warrior character from the film. Dressed in an elaborate costume featuring intricately beaded dreadlocks and finely crafted animal skins, she arrived on horseback, embodying the fierce and regal persona of her character.
A priestess, dressed in white and holding a dove, led the procession, singing a traditional song to set the stage for a night of cultural spectacle.
The premiere wasn’t just about the movie—it was an immersive experience. Ojo was accompanied by the film’s cast members, adding excitement and energy to the event.
The venue itself was thoughtfully designed to match the traditional themes of the movie, with the atmosphere reflecting the cultural richness portrayed in the film.
Guests were thrilled by the attention to detail, with one attendee commenting, “The creativity and the attention to detail speaks volume. The venue was designed to match their outfit, depicting the traditional houses in the movie. Kudos to Aunty Iyabo, it’s a sell-out season.”
Social media buzzed with excitement after the premiere, with many praising the creativity and unique approach to the event. *Labake Olododo:
The Warrior Lord* is expected to be a massive success, as fans expressed their confidence in the movie’s success, with one comment stating, “Not me screaming, Billions of views already, May it go far more than anyone’s expectations, Amin.”
While the event was filled with praise for the film’s innovative approach, not everyone was on board. Some voices expressed concerns about the impact of such films on Nigerian society, with one user questioning the use of “fetishism” in movies.
However, the overwhelming sentiment was one of celebration, with many hoping for the movie’s success and wishing Iyabo Ojo continued blessings.
Davido’s recent performance at Richard Nii Armah’s birthday sparked mixed reactions online, with fans divided over his vocal delivery and energy
A recent performance by Nigerian singer Davido at the birthday party of Ghanaian billionaire Richard Nii Armah has quickly gone viral, but not for the reasons the artist may have hoped.
A video clip from the event, which surfaced online, has sparked a flurry of reactions from netizens, ranging from harsh criticism to staunch defence of the singer.
Many social media users expressed disappointment over Davido’s vocal performance, noting that he sounded off-key, with some even claiming he resembled an up-and-coming artist rather than a global superstar.
One user, *aremogucci001*, wrote, “This one just be like upcoming,” while another commenter, *zhouv9*, added, “Zero vocals, noise always.”
Criticism continued with *elon_musk1son* suggesting, “Where is the performance energy? Abi hin don too much banku when he come? God too bless Wizkid sha,” implying that Davido’s energy was lacking and comparing him unfavourably to fellow Nigerian artist Wizkid.
A number of other users shared similar sentiments. *maxika99* bluntly stated, “I swear dis guy no sabi sing,” while *phemonz_* criticised the crowd for not showing Davido more love, saying, “These people don’t show love at all as they can’t sing along with him.”
However, despite the wave of negative feedback, Davido’s supporters were quick to jump to his defence. Some argued that the singer was being unfairly judged, with *kodakblaine2x* suggesting,
“Always performing for big people. The other werey de mumu for Twitter,” implying that the critics were just being harsh without understanding the context.
*victoria_may_7* wrote, “What took his voice? Because I barely heard him say anything. Make artist dey lip-sync ein own song. Nawa for una 001,” pointing out the possibility of technical issues affecting the performance.
Meanwhile, *creamycozy* took a more lighthearted approach, saying, “Wizkid is their godfather, the father that fathered their fathers. Popsy dey ever give me reason to brag differently,” suggesting that the rivalry between Davido and Wizkid still runs deep among fans.
The video and its resulting debate serve as a reminder of the polarising nature of celebrity performances. While some continue to back the artist’s talent, others are left questioning his recent stage presence.
With his career firmly rooted in both the Nigerian and international music scenes, Davido is no stranger to public scrutiny. Whether this controversy will affect his reputation or serve as yet another chapter in his illustrious career remains to be seen.
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