The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. Filmmakers and enthusiasts from around the world gathered at this grand event to celebrate the exceptional achievements in African cinema.
Hosted by the charismatic trio of Nancy Isime, Rahama Sadau, and Richard Ato Turkson, the AMAA gala was a night to remember, honoring some of the most outstanding cinematic works from the continent.
The event’s primary purpose was to provide a platform for recognizing and celebrating the very best in African filmmaking. It served as a melting pot of talent, bringing together diverse individuals from various backgrounds within the industry, creating a dynamic and inspiring atmosphere.
Here is the list of some of the notable winners:
Best Short Film:
- Lions (Ethiopia) – Winner
- Riel (Namibia)
- Enmity Djin (Mauritania)
Best Animation:
- Jabari (Ghana) – Winner
- Lost (Uganda)
- Azania Rises (South Africa)
- Bashorum Gaa (Nigeria)
Best Documentary:
- Le Spectre de Boko Haram (Cameroon) – Winner
- Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern Civilization (Senegal/Canada)
- Nightlife in Lasgidi (Nigeria)
- Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border (Senegal)
- Ifine (Beauty) (Sierra Leone)
Best Film In An African Language:
- Anikulapo (Nigeria) – Winner
- Pusha Pressa Phanda (South Africa)
- The Kitera Chronicle (Uganda)
- Four Walls (South Africa)
- Mami Wata (Nigeria)
Best Film By An African-Born Director Living Abroad:
- KOFA (Nigeria/Canada) – Jude Idada – Winner
- Golden Stripes (Nigeria/UK) – Peace Osigbe
Best Diaspora Short Film:
- Raw Materials (Jamaica) – Directed by Sosiessia Nixon – Winner
- We Were Meant To (United States) – Directed by Tari Wariebi
- Fifty-Four Days (United Kingdom) – Directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
- The Ballad of Olive Morris (United Kingdom) – Directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
Best Diaspora Documentary:
- Sound of the Police (United States) – Directed by Stanley Nelson – Winner
- Fantastico Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet (United States) – directed by Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
- Black Rio (Brazil) – directed by Fernando Sousa and Gabriel Barbosa
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature:
- Our Father, The Devil (United States) – Directed by Ellie Foumbi – Winner
- Cheese (Trinidad & Tobago) – directed by Damian Marcano
- The Pastor and the Revolutionary (Brazil) – directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
These award winners represent the pinnacle of achievement in African cinema, and their works have made a significant impact both in their home countries and on the global stage.
C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s film, “Mami Wata,” stood out as a frontrunner with 12 nominations. The film’s remarkable success in various categories underlines its significant contribution to African cinema.
- Tags: african cinema, AMAA, nolywood
