Jackie Appiah coasts home with best actress award as Jagun Jagun causes stir at AMAA
The highly anticipated 20th edition of the continental film awards ceremony, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), yesterday recognized stars amid applause and called on brands to invest and support.
Held at a fully packed Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos, the event hosted over 700 guests from different parts of Africa.
A total of 26 awards were won by African film practitioners, including actors, cinematographers, producers, costumiers, set designers, and more.
Some of the biggest winners of the memorable night include Nigeria’s Daniel Oriahi for The Weekend, Femi Adebayo for Jagun Jagun, and South Africa’s Jahmil X.T. Qubeka for The Queenstown Kings.
AMAA’s CEO, Dr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, reiterated the need for African creatives to remain united while leveraging platforms like AMAA as a springboard to global fame. Dr. Anyiam-Osigwe also promised that the family would continue the legacy of the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who made a significant impact on the African film industry and filmmakers before her passing. He stressed that preparation for the 20th edition began before the founder’s death and promised to continue the partnerships created since the inception of the continental film award.
The Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, led dignitaries that included industry captains and film practitioners from across Africa and beyond.
With breathtaking performances from legendary Afrobeat star Femi Kuti to Yinka Davies, the night was brightened up by a long list of pan-African artists, including Narh Tettey, Bedwei Kwaku, and Adina Thembi.
Speaking after the award, producer of Neighbourhood Alert, Sharifa Johka, said: “I feel honored to be recognized. As a US-based filmmaker, I am thrilled to be honored by our brothers across the continent. It’s an honor to be in the same room with heavyweights.
“It was rigorous putting Neighbourhood Alert together. We began the project before COVID-19 and had to raise money and re-engage people during the pandemic.”
When asked about future projects, she said: “We have a lot coming. The projects are located in Lagos.”
READ ALSO:AMAA 2024: AFA reveals nominations for 20th edition
Also speaking, Noah Abbott, who played Chike in Neighbourhood Alert, said: “Neighbourhood Alert is a social justice film. Winning this award means a lot because people are recognizing that this film is touching hearts. This award will inspire me to do more.”
Speaking on AMAA at 20, veteran Nollywood actor Charles Inojie said: “Looking back at the last 20 years, I would say this has been a story of tenacity and belief. For one woman to believe 20 years ago that this was possible is unthinkable. AMAA started as something that wasn’t expected to see the next edition. Twenty years down the line, AMAA has remained Africa’s flagship for movie awards.”
Asked if it has met his expectations, he said: “AMAA has met my expectations. Can it be better? Yes. In the beginning, we had big brands supporting AMAA, but today, we don’t see enough of that. Corporate Nigerians need to rally around a brand like this and fulfill the dreams of the visionary, Peace Osigwe. You can’t beat what AMAA has done for Nollywood. AMAA is Africa’s Oscar, so we can’t have Africa’s Oscar without the right financial support. Corporate Nigerians have not done well.”
Full List of Winners
AMAA 2024 WINNERS – FINAL LIST
1. Efere Ozako AMAA 2024 Award for Best Short Film
The Last Shoe Maker – Uganda
2. Jubril Malafia AMAA 2024 Award for Best Animation
CounterPunch – Kenya
3. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Documentary
The Night Still Smells of Gunpowder – Mozambique
4. Ousmane Sembene AMAA 2024 Award for Best Film in an African Language
The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
5. Michael Anyiam Osigwe AMAA 2024 Award for Best Film by an African Living Abroad
Under the Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
6. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Diaspora Short
Neighbourhood Alert
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7. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Diaspora Documentary
The Wu Tang Experience: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre
8. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
Outlaw Posse
9. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Production Design
Out of Breath
10. AMAA 2024 Achievement in Costume Design
Mai Martaba
11. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Make-Up
Jagun Jagun
12. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Soundtrack
Boda Love
13. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Visual Effect
Jagun Jagun
14. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Sound
The Queenstown Kings
15. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Cinematography
The Weekend
16. AMAA 2024 Award for Achievement in Editing
Under the Hanging Tree
17. Award for Achievement in Screenplay
The Weekend
18. AMAA 2024 – National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film
The Weekend
19. Award for Best Young/Promising Actor
Michelle Lemuya – Nawi
20. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Femi Adebayo – Jagun Jagun
21. Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Elsie Chidera Abang – Kipkemboi
22 Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
Zolixa Xaluva – The Queenstown Kings
23. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role
Jackie Appiah – Red Carpet
24. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Debut Feature Film by a Director
Letters to Goddo – Harry Bentil
25. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Director
Jahmil X.T Qubeka – The Queenstown Kings
26. AMAA 2024 Award for Best Film
The Weekend
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