AMAA 2013: Ghanaian, South African movies can sweep awards

SOUTH African neo-noire, ‘Of Good Report’ topped the nomination list of the 2014 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) released on Wednesday at an event held at Emperor Palace Hotel, Johannesburg, South Africa.

The film, which created a buzz at the 3rd Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) hosted by the Cross River State Government last year, was nominated in 13 categories including Best Production Design, Soundtrack, Visual Effect, Cinematography, Editing, Screenplay and Sound. The movie which wowed audiences on its tour of major Western festivals is also nominated for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Supporting Actress, Supporting Actor and Best Promising Actor.

Following closely on the heels of ‘Of Good Report’ with nine nominations is Ghanaian film, ‘Potomanto’ directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso and starring Olu Jacobs, Yvonne Okoro, Adjetey Anang and Marie Humbert. The film is contending for Best Make-Up, Sound Track, Editing, Screenplay, Best Director and Best Film amongst others.

Another South African film, ‘The Forgotten Kingdom’ has eight nominations; ‘Felix’, also from the Rainbow nation, is nominated in six categories while ‘The Children of Troumaron’ from Mauritius also has six nominations.

Leading Nigeria’s charge is Emem Isong’s ‘Apaye’ with six nominations while Chika Anadu’s ‘B for Boy’ and Yewande Awokoya’s ’Omo Elemosho’ have five nominations each. Teco Benson’s Accident’ starring Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Kalu Ikeagwu, Frederick Leonard and Wale Macaulay, has four nominations.

Winner of the Best Actor in a Drama at the 2014 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, Tope Tedela, might well be on the way to adding another prize to his trophy cabinet as he has been nominated for Best Young Actor. Ghana’s Evelyn Galle Ansah, South Africa’s Petronella Tshuma and Mauritian Kitty Phillips are however on his path to glory for now.

Desmond Elliot and Yomi Fash-Lanso are among the five contenders for the Best Supporting Actor prize while Patience Ozokwo and Barbara Soky are also in the frame for the Best Supporting Actress Prize. The duo are joined by Vinaya Sungkur from Mauritius, Ghana’s Marie Humbert and South African, Lee-Ann van Rooi.

Kanayo Kanayo and Joseph Benjamin are among the six actors vying for the Best Actor while a number of Nigerian actresses are in the frame for Best Actress. They include, Uche Nnadili (B for Boy), Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha (Accident), Clarion Chukwura (Apaye), Uche Jombo, Rodriquez, Monalisa Chinda and Daniella Okeke (Lagos Cougar).

Those vying for the Best Director prize are Jahmil X.T Qubeka (Of Good Report) Teco Benson (Accident), Mauritian Harrikrishna & Sharvan Anenden (Children of Troumaron), Shirley Frimpong Manso (Potomanto), and Andrew Mudge (The Forgotten Kingdom).

The Best Film category pits Nigeria against Mauritius, Ghana and South Africa as ‘Accident’, ‘Children of Troumaron’, ‘Potomanto’, ‘The Forgotten Kingdom’ and ‘Of Good Report’ are nominated.

But judging from the number of its nomination and the acclaim that has been trailing it since it premiered last year, ‘Of Good Report’ might likely win the most number of prizes at the awards ceremony happening in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on April 26.

If it does, it will be following in the footsteps of films like ‘From a Whisper’ (Kenya) and ‘Viva Riva’ (Congo) which had the most nominations in 2009 and 2011 respectively and went ahead to win the highest number of awards. Whatever the case, April 26 can’t arrive early enough for expectant movie buffs across the world.