Tonight, watched by audiences in 47 African countries, the nominees for the first-ever AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) were revealed during a special edition of lifestyle program 53 Extra. Held in association with MultiChoice, and headline sponsor Amstel Malta, the AMVCAs recognizes and rewards excellence in African film and TV.
Announcing the nominees were stylish Eku Edewor and Dolopo Oni, joined by Jara co-hosts Uti Nwachukwu (Big Brother All Stars winner) and Helen Paul, Biola Alabi (M-Net Africa MD), Femi Odugbemi (AMVCA Executive Judge), Lizz Njagah (Kenyan soap and reality star) and Edem Vindah (Media and Public Affairs Manager, Nigerian Breweries PLC). Also in studio was the elegant AMVCA trophy!
Encompassing 28 awards in 26 categories, the AMVCAs includes 6 categories where viewers will vote for winners and 18 more technically focused categories where winners will be selected by an expert industry based judging panel (judges will be announced at a later date).
This judging panel will also select the rising star TrailBlazer of the Year, and the Industry Merit recipient, a veteran industry professional whose long term contribution will be honored.
And ensuring the awards specifically recognize outstanding achievement, the AMVCAs did not name nominees in two categories (Best Documentary and Best Online Video) as the nominee selection team had preferred to award certificates of encouragement instead to all entrants.
Understanding that there will be a great curiosity about the initial selection team responsible for the nominees list, tonight’s show revealed their identities. They are Allison Triegaardt, Armand-Guy de Beer, Bongiwe Selane, Deborah Odutayo, Ebou Waggeh, Eileen Sandrock, Njoki Muhoho, Phad Mutumba and Richard West. Together this expert team has an extraordinary range of experience and an impressive passion for the art of African storytelling. More info on these accomplished individuals is available at www.africamagic.tv.
Joining this nominee selection team in January was the accounting firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo, who will also verify all winner results going forward.
M-Net Africa MD Biola Alabi says, ““We want the AMVCAs to be transparent, credible, respected and fair. So we selected people to the nominee selection team who embrace this philosophy. We will do the same when selecting the industry judging panel that will pick winners in certain categories. We know that everyone associated with these awards must be diligent and conduct themselves with integrity during what are challenging, tough processes. At this time, I must also say that we are truly delighted with the list of nominees and we wish them all well. Roll on March, we couldn’t be more excited about the big night and promise TV audiences an event to remember!”
However, the focus of the night was the nominees and leading the way was South African hit Otelo Burning with 14 nominations while Nigeria’s brilliant The Mirror Boy grabbed 11, just in front of Man on Ground, another powerful Nigerian offering which garnered 9 nominations.
Other titles scoring multiple nominations included Perfect Picture (8), Two Brides and a Baby (7), Maami (5) and Skeem (5). In total, there were 110 nominees chosen from 43 different productions from countries as diverse as Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Meanwhile, some of the most eagerly awaited categories also boasted high profile nominees.
In the category for Best Actress in a Drama, the nominees are Bubu Mazibuko, Genevieve Nnaji, Nolwazi Shange, Funke Akindele and Jackie Appiah while in the Best Actress in a Comedy category Funke Akindele, Lilian Esoro and Mercy Johnson are all in the running. In the Best Actor in a Drama category, the nominees are Fabian Adeoye Lojede, O.C Ukeje, Kenneth Uphopho, Edward Kagutuzi and Jafta Mamabolo. Nominees for Best Actor in a Comedy are Hafiz Oyetoro, Kunle Bamtefa, Bovi Ugboma, Francis Odega and Ikhide Isaac.
And in the Best Movie Overall category are Skeem (Tim Greene), Man on Ground (Akin Omotoso, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Hakeem Kae-Kazim and Rosie Motene), Jozi King (Jamie Ramsay), Otelo Burning (Sara Blecher) and The Mirror Boy (Obi Emelonye).
MultiChoice Africa CEO, Nico Meyer congratulated all the nominees: “Well done to all the selected nominees. The AfricaMagic Viewer’s Choice Awards recognises your hard work, passion and dedication to your trade. The contribution you have made into the development of the African film and television industry is very significant and tonight we honour your role. Keep up the good work and we wish you all the best for the big announcement of winners in March.”
Speaking for the sponsor Adedoyin Owotomo (Brand Manager Amstel Malta) said,
“At the core of the Amstel Malta brand is the conviction that everyone has what it takes to be the best. The brand therefore believes in providing platforms that not only give opportunity to young talented individuals but also inspiration. AMVCA is a platform that recognizes and celebrates the best in the movie and TV industry; a platform of inspiration to encourage young talents in the industry to ensure they make smart choices that will show their originality and that they are unique and discerning individuals that deserve to be recognized and rewarded.”
Now, while the judges deliberate on the non-viewer voted categories, viewers can also start casting their votes for the 6 all-important viewer voted categories. Voting begins tonight (January 28) at 23:00 CAT and closes at midnight CAT on March 3, 2013. Viewers can vote via WEB, WAP or SMS so visit www.africamagic.tv to find out more.
And keep watching the AfricaMagic channels which will profile the nominees over the next few weeks to ensure you know who’s who! Remember the first- ever AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards will be screened on DStv and GOtv on Saturday March 9, live from Lagos. So get ready to check out the fashion on the red carpet, to hear the winner’s speeches and of course, to celebrate great African talent!
AMVCA – NOMINEES
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Man on Ground
Bubu Mazibuko
The Mirror Boy
Genevieve Nnaji
Otelo Burning
Nolwazi Shange
Maami
Funke Akindele
Perfect Picture
Jackie Appiah
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
MOVIE
NOMINEE
The Return of Jenifa
Funke Akindele
Clinic Matters
Lilian Esoro
Dumebi the Dirty Girl
Mercy Johnson
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Jacob’s Cross
Fabian Adeoye Lojede
Two Brides and a Baby
O.C Ukeje
Down & Out
Kenneth Uphopho
The Mirror Boy
Edward Kagutuzi
Otelo Burning
Jafta Mamabolo
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A DRAMA
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Man on Ground
Fabian Adeoye Lojede
The Mirror Boy
Osita Iheme
Otelo Burning
Thomas Gumede
A Good Catholic Girl
Matthew Nabwiso
Two Brides and a Baby
Kalu Ikeagwu
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
MOVIE
NOMINEE
House a Part
Hafiz Oyetoro
Glorious Journey
Kunle Bamtefa
The Bovi Ugboma Show
Bovi Ugboma
Clinic Matters
Francis Odega
Wanna Be
Ikhide Isaac
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A DRAMA
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Man on Ground
Thishiwe Ziqubu
Otelo Burning
Harriet Manamela
Akun
Regina Chukwu
Old Cargo Young Blood
Taiwo Atigogo
Lies that Bind
Maureen Koech
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER
MOVIE
NOMINEE
The Mirror Boy
Ngozi Obasi
Perfect Picture
Jayne Awoonor-Williams
Two Brides and a Baby
Frank Osodi Richard
Kawanu
Preston Mwila
Spider
Nkiru Nwauzor
BEST SHORT FILM
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Big Daddy
Christopher Ihidero
Yellow Fever
Ngendo Mukii
Down & Out
Udoka Oyeka
BEST WRITER (COMEDY)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Skeem
Tim Greene
Perfect Picture
Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Clinic Matters
Paul Igwe
The Bovi Ugboma Show
Bovi Ugboma
Wanna Be
Teru Ekuerhale
BEST SOUND EDITOR
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Man on Ground
Michael Botha & Joel Assaizky
Otelo Burning
Juli vanden Berg & Tiago Correia-Paulo
The Mirror Boy
Obi Emelonye
Perfect Picture
Elorm Adablah
A Sting in a Tale
Elorm Adablah
BEST MOVIE DIRECTOR
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Skeem
Tim Greene
Man on Ground
Akin Omotoso
The Mirror Boy
Obi Emelonye
Otelo Burning
Sara Blecher
Perfect Picture
Shirley Frimpong-Manso
BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Otelo Burning
Dave Howe
Two Brides and a Baby
Eleazu Texas
Maami
Oluwole Olawoyin
Down and Out
Terry Emmanuel
Perfect Picture
Ken Attoh
BEST ART DIRECTOR
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Maami
Bola Belo
Lies that Bind
Carol Mbugua
Kawanu
Bernard H. Mulenga
Two Brides and a Baby
Blessing Effiom Egbe
Otelo Burning
Anita van Hemert & Chantel Carter
BEST MOVIE (OVERALL)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Skeem
Tim Greene
Man on Ground
Akin Omotoso/Fabian Adeoye Lojede/Hakeem Kae-Kazim/Rosie Motene
Jozi King
Jamie Ramsay
Otelo Burning
Sara Blecher
The Mirror Boy
Obi Emelonye
BEST PICTURE EDITOR
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Otelo Burning
Megan Gilli
Man on Ground
Aryan Kaganof
Two Brides and a Baby
Shola Ayorinde
Lies that Bind
Reg Chuhi & Kevin Ireri
Clinic Matters
Kayode Afolabi
BEST MOVIE (COMEDY)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Skeem
Tim Greene
Wisdom of Thomas
Collins Chinedu Ezenwa
Phone Swap
Kunle Afolayan
The Return of Jenifa
Funke Akindele
Open Fire 2
George Edmund
BEST MOVIE (DRAMA)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Man on Ground
Akin Omotoso/Fabian Adeoye Lojede/Hakeem Kae-Kazim/Rosie Motene
The Mirror Boy
Obi Emelonye
Otelo Burning
Sara Blecher
Adams Apple
Ken Attoh
A Sting in a Tale
Ken Attoh
BEST LOCAL LANGUAGE MOVIE (YORUBA)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Maami
Tunde Kelani
Akun
Regina Chukwu
Gbajumo
Oladipo Ariyeke
BEST LOCAL LANGUAGE MOVIE (HAUSA)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Asirka
Aminu Abdullahi/Hafizu Bello
Yunkuri
Aminu Abdullahi
Faida
Nura A. Ali/Hafizu Bello
BEST LOCAL LANGUAGE MOVIE (SWAHILI)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
The Ray of Hope
Sameer Srivastava/Sanjni Srivastava
Sakalakata
Henry Lenga
Zeinabu Rudi Nyumbani
Quentin Hughes/Alex Konstantaras
BEST WRITER (DRAMA)
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Otelo Burning
James Whyle/Sara Blecher/The Cast Workshop
The Mirror Boy
Obi Emelonye/Amaka Obi-Emelonye
Two Brides and a Baby
Blessing Egbe
A Sting in a Tale
Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Perfect Picture
Shirley Frimpong-Manso
BEST TELEVISION SERIES
MOVIE
NOMINEE
The XYZ Show
Godffrey Mwampembwa/Marie Lora-Mungai
Peep
Ken Attoh/Shirley Frimpong-Manso
Jozi Moving the City
Lance Stehr
DemiGods
Benjamin Odiwuor Abonyo
Makutano Junction
Patricia Gichinga/David Campbell
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER
MOVIE
NOMINEE
The Mirror Boy
Clive Norman
Skeem
Tom Marais
Man on Ground
Paul Michelson
Otelo Burning
Lance Gewer
Maami
Sarafa Abagun
BEST MAKE-UP ARTIST
MOVIE
NOMINEE
Otelo Burning
Jacqui Bannermen
The Mirror Boy
Gabriel Okorie
Tales of Eve
Biola Poopola
Perfect Picture
Jayne Awoonor-Williams
Kawanu
Christin Ngoma
