Mauritania and Nigeria emerged the biggest winners at last Saturdays African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. The two countries known to have produced some of the continent’s leading filmmakers scooped most of the coveted awards of the AMAA which is regarded as Africa’s premiere reward system for black filmmakers. But it was Timbuktu, the film by Mauritanian filmmaker Abdheraman Sissako that got the highest number of awards. The Oscar nominated film on Islamic extremism, showed off its might by emerging the biggest winner at the colourful award ceremony that attracted filmmakers from all over the world. Indeed it was Sissako’s at the ceremony as ‘Timbuktu’ received five awards including the best child actor award, which went to Layla Walet Mohammed and Mehdi A.G Mohammed. Sissako was awarded the Best Director award in addition to the award for Best Film, Best Film in an African Language and Best Editing category.

Nigerian filmmakers who were nominated in various categories of the 2015 AMAA were the next big winners of the eleventh edition of the award, which held outside Nigeria for the first time since inception. The Nigerian filmmakers clinched seven out of the 27 awards that were handed out while countries like Ethiopia, Mauritius, Angola and South Africa got three and two awards respectively. South Africa has for several years dominated the awards ceremony. Last year for instance, Jamil Quebeka ‘Of Good Report’ scooped seven awards. Indeed, South African filmmakers have always done well at the AMAA’s. But this year it only managed two AMAA crest for production design and visual effect which it got through its popular crime thriller ‘iNumber Number’.

But it was Kunle Afolayan’s award winning film ‘October 1’ that gave Nigeria something to cheer about. The movie was adjudged the best in costumes and it also received the Bayelsa State government award for best Nigeria film awarded to the best film from Nigeria in competition. Also, it was October 1 that earned the seasoned actor and broadcaster Sadiq Daba the award for Best Actor in a Leading Role. Sadiq got the award for his role as Inspector Danladi Waziri in the award-winning thriller. It was an emotional moment for the actor when he gave his post award comments. His refection of his journey as an actor from the days of ‘Cockcrow at Dawn’ to that of
‘Behind the Clouds’ two popular but long rested television series was telling.

Also the comedy film by the stand up comedian Ayo Makun aka AY ’30 Days in Atlanta’ was awarded the best comedy film award while leading Nigerian actress Hilda Dokubo was adjudged best actress in a supporting role for her performance in the movie Stigma.
Fast rising stage and screen actress Kemi Lala Akindoju was voted best promising actress for her effort in Tunde Kelani’s latest feature ‘Dazzling Mirage’. Kemi shared the award with Hassan Spike Insingoma who got the award for his effort in the Ugandan film ‘Boda Boda Thieves’. However, while Kemi was in South Africa to receive her award, Hassan Insingoma was unavoidably absent. Insingoma, 19 is currently in jail in Uganda on a string of charges bothering on murder and robbery. Nigeria also got the award for best animation. It was Ebele Okoye’s ‘Legacies of Rubies’ was adjudged best by the AMAA jury.

But it was not all a Nigerian win at the impressive award ceremony that was spiced up with musical performances by major South African musical acts and Nigeria’s Edge and the Limpopo crooner Kcee. Former Miss Angola Lesliana Periera received the best actress in a leading role award for her effort in the Angolan movie ‘Njinga: Queen of Angola’. The movie also received the award for achievement in make-up. The other films that were awarded include the Cameroonian feature by Jean Pierre Bekolo ‘Le President’ which got the special jury prize and the award for best screen play, Lobraz Khan from Mauritius which got two awards for Best Sound and Best Cinematography, award for best short film which was awarded to the Ugandan short ‘Twaaga’, first feature film by a director which was won by Destiny Ekeragha for her effort in ‘Gone too Far’ starring OC Ukeje and the awards for Best Sound Track and Best Supporting Actor which was awarded the Ethiopian film ‘Traingle Going to America’. The movie also received a special jury prize. There were also special recognition and lifetime achievement awards to individuals and organization including Mr. Tony Elumelu, Horace Ove, Melvin Van Peebles, Kingsley Ogoro and African Magic.

AMAA regarded as Africa’s premiere reward system for black filmmakers. It has held in Nigeria from its inception in 2005. However, this is the first time it will hold outside Nigeria.