Nigerian Nominees Dominate Prestigious Categories
The nominees for the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have been announced, with “The Weekend” by Uche Okocha leading the nominations with an impressive 16 nods. Close behind is “Jagun Jagun” by Femi Adebayo, which secured seven nominations. The prestigious AMAA ceremony, now in its 20th year, will take place on November 2 in Lagos, in partnership with the Lagos State Government. This year’s theme, “Celebrating African Creativity,” highlights the best of African filmmaking talent.
Here’s a breakdown of some notable categories and nominees:
1. Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film
- Isolated – Nigeria
- The Last Shoe Maker – Uganda
- Seben – Mali
- Dear Future Wife – South Africa
- Jolie – Angola
- Strike A Blow And Die – Malawi
- Don’t Call Me Beautiful – Ghana
- Sins Of A Father – Zimbabwe/USA
2. Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation
- Hadu – Nigeria
- Oya (The Goddess of Gods) – Nigeria
- Heavy Crown – Libya
- Counterpunch – Kenya
- Journey of the Legend – Cameroon
- Between Paya and Koulou – Senegal
- Set Pieces – Sudan
3. Best Documentary
- Dela – The Making of EL-Anatsui – Nigeria
- A Quand L’Afrique – Congo Brazzaville
- The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder – Mozambique
- The Return Train – Mali
- Gateway To Dreams – Cameroon
- Rainbow Nation – South Africa
- Donga – Libya
- Rising Up At Night – DRC
4. Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language
- Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
- Kaka – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- Makula – Uganda
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
- Eskhalemi Sikantombella – South Africa
- Unheard – Uganda
5. Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African-born director Living Abroad
- Out Of Breath – Nigeria/UK
- Orah – Nigeria/Canada
- Isolated – Nigeria/UK
- Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
- Kipkemboi – Nigeria/Canada
6. Best Achievement in Production Design
- Orah – Nigeria
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
- Kipkemboi – Nigeria/Canada
- Makula – Uganda
7. Best Achievement in Costume Design
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
- White and Black – Nigeria
- Mai Martaba – Nigeria
8. Best Achievement in Make-Up
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
- Nawi – Nigeria
- Letters to Goddo – Nigeria
- Anjola – Nigeria
- White and Black – Nigeria
9. Best Achievement in Visual Effects
- Kipkemboi – Nigeria/Canada
- Jagun Jagun – Nigeria
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
- Bokwagter – South Africa
10. Best Achievement in Sound
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- This is Lagos – Nigeria
- Kipkemboi – Nigeria/Canada
- Boda Love – Nigeria
- A Smile, A Wink and a Tear – South Africa
- Under the Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
11. Best Achievement in Cinematography
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- Nawi – Nigeria
- Letters to Goddo – Nigeria
- This is Lagos – Nigeria
- A Smile, A Wink and A Tear – South Africa
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
12. Best Achievement in Editing
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- This is Lagos – Nigeria
- Nawi – Nigeria
- Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
13. Best Achievement in Screenplay
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- This is Lagos – Nigeria
- Boda Love – Nigeria
- Out of Breath – Nigeria
- Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
14. Best Actor in a Supporting Role
- Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey – The Weekend (Nigeria)
- Ikechukwu Onunaku – Afamefuna (Nigeria)
- Femi Adebayo – Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
- Sandile Mahlangu – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
- Ochungo Benson – Nawi (Nigeria)
- Lucky Ejim – Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
15. Best Actress in a Supporting Role
- Meg Otanwa – The Weekend (Nigeria)
- Bukunmi Oluwashina – White and Black (Nigeria)
- Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah – Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
- Chioma Akpotha – Mojisola (Nigeria)
- Tessa Twala – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
- Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
16. Best Actor in a Leading Role
- Gabriel Afolayan – This is Lagos (Nigeria)
- Bucci Franklyn – The Weekend (Nigeria)
- Chidi Mokeme – Out of Breath (Nigeria)
- Zolixa Xaluva – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
- Duncan Murunyu Mungai – Boda Love (Kenya)
- Nenesenor Abloso – Letters to Goddo (Ghana)
17. Best Actress in a Leading Role
- Oyin Oladejo – Orah (Nigeria)
- Uzoamaka Aniunoh – The Weekend (Nigeria)
- Efe Irele – A Smile, A Wink and A Tear (Nigeria)
- Girley Jazama – Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK)
- Unati Faku – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
- Jackie Appiah – Red Carpet (Ghana)
18. Best Director
- Daniel Emeke Oriahi – The Weekend (Nigeria)
- Kenneth Gyang – This Is Lagos (Nigeria)
- Lonzo Nzekwe – Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
- Perivi Katjavivi – Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK)
- Harry Bentil – Letters To Goddo (Ghana)
- Jahmil X.T Qubeka – The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
19. Best Film
- The Weekend – Nigeria
- This is Lagos – Nigeria
- A Smile, A Wink and A Tear – South Africa
- Orah – Nigeria/Canada
- Letters to Goddo – Ghana
- Under The Hanging Tree – Namibia/UK
- The Queenstown Kings – South Africa
The AMAAs, organized by the Africa Film Academy, are widely regarded as the pinnacle of African cinema, celebrating the continent’s best creative talents and promoting African storytelling on the global stage.
