Tunde Kelani (right) directing on the set of his film Arugba (2009) on the famous Olumo Rocks, Abeokuta, western Nigeria. The veteran director/producer is Nigeria’s foremost cinematographer (©Luc Beu)

Africa’s foremost film award holds in June

The 12th edition of Africa’s foremost reward and recognition scheme for filmmakers, Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), holds on 11 June in Port Harcourt, the capital of Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. This is following successful nine consecutive editions in Yenagoa, one each in Abuja, Lagos and the South African city of Port Elizabeth, respectively.

The government of Rivers State recently signed the hosting right with the management of AMAA, making the state the second sub-national government in Nigeria to tap into the huge potential of AMAA), which has been dubbed the “African Oscars” by CNN, for destination branding. 

In a statement jointly signed by the state Commissioner of Culture & Tourism, Mrs Tonye Briggs Oniyide, on behalf of Governor Nyesom Wike and the founder of the awards organization, Ms Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, hosting the award this year will be the beginning of a partnership that will add immense value to the people of the state and the host city in particular as the government is determined to position Port Harcourt as a destination of choice in Nigeria and West Africa.

AMAA confirmed its pre-eminent status as the most prestigious and respected continental motion picture awards in Africa with more than 800 films nominated for the 2015 edition. The films came from more than 60 countries, mostly from Africa but also from South America, the United States and North America.

AMAA prides itself on being a glamorous celebration of excellence in African film-making and a platform that projects the African film industry to the rest of the world. The event was held outside Nigeria for the first time last year in Port Elizabeth. 

Vivian Asamoah

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