By Hazeez Balogun and Anthonia Soyingbe
The third edition of the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCA) comes alive tomorrow, Saturday, and the entire entertainment industry is set to make the occasion memorable.
In its three years of existence, the event has not only being a platform of rewarding excellence amongst movie makers and television practitioners; it has also become an event where the crème de la crème of the industry all over the Africa converge. Though not the first of such award in the continent but in its few years of existence, AMVCA has been able to garner a lot of respect from practitioners in the industry; it is now a thing of pride to be nominated for the awards and a cherished feat to eventually win one.
Joselyn Dumas, Ken-Attoh, Jackie-Appiah, Majid-Michel, and Shirley Frimpong-Manso
The AMVCA journey started in 2013 albeit before then, there had been some form of engagements by Africa Magic and Mnet to allow viewers choose their own favourite movies and actors, but that project did not blossom to see the light of the day. Some are of the opinion that it might have been the test phase for what eventually became the AMVCA which has become an instant hit.
At that time, the biggest movie awards in Africa was the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA); though many still see it as so till today.
However, organisers of AMVCA from the onset had clarified that these two great entertainment awards are not in competition rather, they are meant to complement each other and furthermore, while AMVCA awards TV practitioners on the continent AMAA does not.
The first of the event started on a sure foot with Africa Magic/Mnet then headed by Abiola Alabi. It received not just from Africa but movie pundits from all over the world at it first outing which was held at the Eko Hotel in Lagos, the same place that has hosted the event ever since.
At the debut, South African movie Otelo Burning won the award for Best Overall Film. One of Nollywood’s best directors Kunle Afolayan impressed with a refreshing take on romance in the hit movie Phone Swap, which has already won a few awards as Tunde Kelani brought a powerful work of fiction Maami to screen, spotlighting corruption and the abuse of power.
The show as a whole was a big success and many described it as one of the best organised entertainment event to hold in Nigeria. Though there were some timing issues and the event dragged a bit, it was altogether a well put together show.
The 2014 event was also broadcast live from Lagos to 50 African countries watching on DStv and GOtv. The AMVCA handed out 29 awards in 27 categories, verified by the auditing firm of SizweNtsalubaGobodo.
Recognizing outstanding achievements in African film and TV, awards on the night included top honours for rising star Michelle Bello (TrailBlazer of the Year) and accomplished veteran Pete Edochie (Industry Merit), who both also walked away with a Hyundai vehicle, courtesy of Stallion Motors. Meanwhile dynamic and multi-talented icon Rita Dominic, who was named the New Era award-winner, was the fortunate recipient of a Dubai cruise holiday for four, courtesy of World and Travel Land.
The night’s biggest winners at the EKO Exhibition Centre were Contract and Nairobi Half Life which scooped no less than four accolades each. Contract won for Best Movie Director (Shirley Frimpong-Manso), Best Movie (Shirley Frimpong Manso, Yvonne Okoro and Ken Attoh), Best Video Editor (Shirley Frimpong-Manso) and Best Writer (Shirley Frimpong-Manso and Hertey Owusu). Nairobi Half Life took home awards for Best Lighting Designer (Mohamed Zain), Best Art Director (Barbara Minishi), Best Cinematographer (Christian Almesberger) and Best Make-Up Artist (Elayne Okaya).
Other notable winners included the first-ever AMVCA awarded for Best New Media – Online Video, heralding the arrival of a new generation of African storytellers. Walking away with that coveted prize was Mother Tongue (Amarachukwu Onoh). This year also marked the first ever AMVCA win for Best Documentary which went to The Deadwood (Dr Gilbert Chigbo), who impressed the judges for its imagery, technological standards and narrative structure.
Judges was led by highly respected Executive Judge Femi Odugbemi, were once again individuals of enormous stature in the African film and TV community. They were: Deborah Odutayo, Huthy Phad Mutumba, Jahman Anikulapo, Simon Ratcliffe, Steph Ogundele, Abraham Haile Biru, Zik Zulu and Linus Abraham.
This year’s event still is shrouded in mystery and the organisers are promising a surprise package for guests at the event. Already, guests from across Africa and other parts of the world have started arriving. An unidentified international artiste is expected to perform.
There are other side events that will be going on as part of AMVCA this year. Nollywood superstar, Genevieve Nnaji will be hosting eleven outstanding Theatre Arts students across the country at an exclusive pre-AMVCAs mentorship date.
According to the sponsor’s brand manager, Hannatu Ageni Yusuf, “The initiative came to life because the brand which has been the official sponsor of the AMVCA since its inception in 2013, felt a need to encourage these Theatre Arts students who have done well in their academics and give them a tip of what to expect in their career paths”.
It is expected that Nigerian artistes will dominate the award scene for the third edition as more nominations reportedly came from the country than all other participating countries put together.
Kunle Afolayan’s October One is leading the pack with the like of Antique coming behind. It is clear that this year is Nigeria’s year. Africa Magic’s Regional director, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said that this third Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards promises to be bigger and better than the previous two editions, stressing that a higher number of entries have been recorded, as well improvement in the quality of the entries.
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