Hopes that the second edition of the African Movie Academy Awards, (AMAA) would be Pan African have been heightened with nominations received from South Africa, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, Namibia, Cameroun and Zimbabwe. The event holds on April 29 at the Gloryland Cultural Centre, Yenagoa, Bayelsa state. Speaking on the keen interest being shown on the continental awards which debuted last year, AMAA?s CEO, Peace Anyiam-Fiberesima said that it was borne out of the efforts of the organisers. ?One of the things we did this year is that we sent the Administrative Secretary to Senegal, Ghana, Bourkina Faso and Kenya,? she explained at AMAA secretariat in GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, adding: ?We have reached out across all of Africa and said, look, if you have a film that is worthy of consideration, bring it on board. We are making sure everybody is involved.?
She said a considerable number of films have been received from the host country since nomination opened, arguing that this was to be expected since Nigeria makes the highest number of films in Africa.
She assured film makers and their admirers wishing to attend the awards in Nigeria that they would be safe.
?Yenagoa where the awards is holding is very calm and serene,? she said. ?The governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan has promised total security and a merry good time in Bayelsa State. I think everybody will have a good time this year,? she added.
Explaining why AMAA was returning to Bayelsa State which hosted the maiden edition, she said it was beyond sponsorship which the state had offered. ?It is our way of taking people to now also see what we can do.
?When you take people to a place, they observe and they can now start to judge if the people are being sentimental or whether they are fighting a just cause.?