At AMVCAs, stakeholders seek collaborations to grow industry

It was all glitz and glam in Lagos at the weekend, as stakeholders in the movie industry from across Africa, converged at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, for the 6th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) took place. 

As expected, the crème de la crème of the African film, TV and entertainment industry turned up on the famous AMVCA red carpet and the show, which was hosted by the returning duo of IK Osakioduwa and Minnie Dlamini, started with an electrifying performance by the critically acclaimed Niger-Delta dance troupe, Seki.
 
The big winners of the night include Adjetey Anang and Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde for ‘Best Actor in a Drama/Movie’ and ‘Best Actress in a Drama/Movie’ respectively, while Jade Osiberu emerged ‘Best Director’ category for the movie Isoken.
 

In the same vein, the Trailblazer Award was given to Bisola Aiyeola in recognition of her growing impact in the African film and TV space. 
 
The crowning of the night was the announcement of Phoebe Ruguru’s 18 Hours as the Best Overall movie, a fitting tribute to an event that featured many other Kenyan winners.

Meanwhile, AMVCAs winners have called for collaborations to grow the industry, emphasizing that Africa was one continent and there should not be disparity in the industry.

Mark Maina, who clinched the Best Picture Editor Movie/TV for the film 18 Hours, (Kenyan) told The Guardian that the major challenge of the industry was funding.

Ngozi Obasi along side James Bessinone won the Best Costume Designer Movie or TV serie, The Bridge. Obasi stressed that the details of Africa is in its culture.  “What we are seeing right now is what our forefathers left behind, we just brought it out in a different light,” she said.