•RMD receives his Lifetime Achievement Award from Pete Edochie and Mrs Wike
•Burkina Faso’s Eye of the Storm wins Best Film
It was a night of bright colours, glamour, fun and standing ovations at the 12th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) which held at the Dr Obi Wali International Convention Centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Hosted by Nigeria’s Mike Ezuruonye and South Africa’s Kgopedi Lilokoe, the event kicked off with a beautiful start; a welcome speech by the head of the jury, Shaibu Husseini.
Welcoming guests to the event, which was graced by the governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, Hon Femi Gbajabiamila, Husseini revealed that for every edition in the last 12 years, hundreds of films from across the continent and the Diaspora arrive at the AMAA offices.
This year, he said, the college of jurors received a total of 485 entries from over 60 countries, mostly within Africa.
“Indeed we are encouraged by the ever increasing number of entries being received and we look forward to a continuation of the trend. As academy jurors, our aim from inception, has always been to reward and encourage African originality and to seek out and bring to wider attention, the continent’s distinct and unique culture. This has been our guiding principles and it is the ambition that formed our deliberations this year,” he said.
Once he was done with his speech, the most anticipated moment followed, as, one after the other, nominees were announced and winners were called to receive their awards.
Among the winners for the night and their different categories were Best Short Film, Meet The Parents (Nigeria/Canada); Best Animation, The Pencil (Burkina Faso); Best Documentary, The Fruitless Tree (Niger); Best Diaspora Short Across The Track (USA); Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award For Best Film By An African Living Abroad, Lambadina (Ethiopia/USA); Best Diaspora Feature, Ben & Ara (USA); Best Diaspora Documentary, Agents of Change; Achievement In Costume Design, Eye of the Storm; Achievement In Production Design, The Cursed One (Ghana); Achievement In Make-Up, Soldiers Story; Achievement In Soundtrack, O-Town (Nigeria); Achievement In Visual Arts, Oshimiri (Nigeria); Achievement In Cinematography, The Cursed One; Achievement In Editing, Hear me Move; Achievement In Screen Play, Tell me Something Sweet; Rivers State Government Endowed Award For Best Nigerian Film, Dry
Others were Best Director, Nana Obiri-Yaboah and Maximilian Clausse (The Cursed One); Best Young / Promising Actor, Zubaidat Ibrahim Fagge (Dry); Best Actor in a Leading Role, Daniel K Daniel (Soldiers Story); Best Actress in a Leading Role, Fulu Mugovhani (Ayanda); Best First Feature Film By A Director, Beyond Blood (Greg Odutayo); Lifetime Achievement Award, Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva, Tony Akposheri, RMD; Best Film, Eye of the Storm (Burkina Faso)
Though the event was almost marred by logistic issues which included a power outage that lasted almost 20 minutes, some of Africa’s finest entertainers were on ground to charge the ambience. While comedy was provided by Arinze Baba, an up and coming artiste who pulled his weight at the event, the duo of Harrysong and Kcee also kept guests entertained. Yinka Davies also brought in a sombre moment when she rendered a song in honour of the departed musician and music producer, Nomoreloss.
However, a more emotional moment was the conferment of the Lifetime Achievement award on the duo of Olu Jacobs and Joke Silva.
Although receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award is an opportunity to hug the spotlight, for Joke, it was time to well up. Delivering her acceptance speech on behalf of her husband who was right beside her, the thespian said in tears; “it’s been a difficult ride. I know there are so many people in this hall who know what a struggle it is to be in our industry and to keep going year-in, year-out, and to just keep climbing the mountains. For AMAA awards, thank you very much. I really appreciate. It was so good and unexpected.”
Other recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards were Tony Akpsheri of The New Masquerade fame as well as the celebrated Richard Mofe Damijo.
As with Olu Jacobs and Joke Sylva, it was also a time for RMD to get emotional. Crediting his entire career to the grace of God and the influence of people like Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, RMD thanked every young and old person he’s worked with who encouraged him on his journey.
“But, I can’t forget the one person who sacrificed her own fame for me, who opted to be my wife and the mother of my children. I love you for all the sacrifice you have made. I am much better than when she met me. And truly, I cannot be here without you. This one goes to every child that is born in an unknown street in Warri, in Port Harcourt, in the Niger Delta, in Zamfara, anywhere in the world. If you believe, just stay in your lane and never give up. Just like me, from one street in Warri, I am standing here today in distinguished company,” he said.
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