tansali paparazzi

The 2010 African movie Academy Awards (AMAA) nomination list is out and i kinda agree on most of the flicks nominated. Some i have seen and were mind blowing, some i have seen their trailers and they were off the hinges. Nigeria has some interesting line up of nominees, from "The Figurine, The Child, Nnenda, Guilty Pleasures,The tenant etc.

Here is the full list of nominees:



1. BEST DOCUMENTARY

1. Wanba Ngoma (Tanzania)
2. Peace Wanted Alive (Kenya)
3. Bariga Boys(Nigeria)
4. En quette d’identite (Burkina Faso)
5. Innovating for Africa (Nigeria)

2. BEST SHORT FILM

1. Mahala – (Mozambique)
2. The Abbys Boys –(South Africa)
3. The Painter – (Uganda)
4. Suara La – (Nigeria)
5. The Camera (Nigeria)

3. BEST ANIMATION

1. Hanayns Shoe (Egypt)
2. Adventure of Alayo (Nigeria)
3. Zoodo – (Burkina Faso)
4. Lyrics – (Algeria)
5. One Step of Love (Algeria)

4. BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN FILMMAKER IN DIASPORA

1. Soul Diaspora
2. Okra Principle
3. China Wahala
4. Crunch

5. BEST FILM IN AFRICAN LANGUAGE

1. Omo Iya Kan – (Nigeria)
2. Aldeweden – (Ethiopia)
3. Togetherness Supreme – (Kenya)
4. Imani – (Uganda)
5. Game of my life – (South Africa)

6. HEART OF AFRICA AWARD FOR BEST FILM FROM NIGERIA

1. Nnenda by Izu Ojukwu
2. Freedom in Chain by Bond Emeruwa and Fred Amata
3. The Child by Izu Ojukwu
4. Figurine by Kunle Afolayan
5. High Blood Pressure by Teco Benson

7. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

1. The Tenant
2. Season of a life
3. Perfect Picture
4. I sing of a well
5. Soul Diaspora

8. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING

1. Season of a life
2. The Child
3. Perfect Picture
4. Heart of Men
5. Lilies of the Ghetto

9. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION

1. I sing of a well
2. Fulani
3. The Child
4. Figurine
5. Imani

10. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP

1. Heart of Men
2. The Child
3. The King is Mine
4. I sing of a well
5. Fulani

11. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME

1. Perfect Picture
2. Prince’s bride
3. The Child
4. I sing of a well
5. Lilies of the Ghetto

12. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT

1. The Child
2. Figurine
3. A sting in a tale
4. Fulani
5. Heart of Men


13. Best ORIGINAL SOUNDTRACK

1. Seasons of a life
2. Imani
3. A sting in a tale
4. The Child
5. Figurine

14. BEST PERFORMANCE BY A CHILD ACTOR

1. Teddy Onyago and Bill Oloo- Togetherness Supreme
2. Tobi Oboli - The Figurine
3. Feyisola Ewulomi – Champions of our Time
4. Treasure Obasi – Champions of our Time
5. Mfanafuthi Magudulela – Game of my life

15. MOST PROMISING ACTRESS

1. Martha Kisaka – Togetherness Supreme
2. Chelsea Eze – Silent Scandal
3. Martha Ankomah – Sins of the Soul
4. Ashionye Michelle Ugboh- Jungle Ride
5. Rahema Nanfuka – Imani

16. MOST PROMISING ACTOR

1. Wilson Maina – Togetherness Supreme (Kenya)
2. Wale Ojo – The Child (Nigeria)
3. John Dumelo – Heart of men (Ghana)
4. Pethro Tumba Mbole – A game of my life (South Africa)
5. Sunny Chikezie – Lilies of the Ghetto (Nigeria)


17. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

1. Godwin Kotey- I sing of a well
2. Francis Duru – Nnenda
3. Yemi Blaq – High Blood Pressure
4. Adjatey Anang – The Perfect Picture

18. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

1. Doris Sakitey – A sting in a Tale
2. Funlola Aoifeyebi-Raimi – Figurine
3. Tapiwa Gwaza – Seasons of a life
4. Yvonne Nelson – Heart of Men

19. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

1. Bimbo Akintola- Freedom in Chains
2. Jackie Apia, Lydia Farson and Naa Ashoku Mensa-Doku – The Perfect Picture
3. Stephanie Okereke- Nnenda
4. Flora Suya – Season of a life
5. Akofa Edjeani Asiedu – I sing of a well

20. BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

1. Lucky Ejim – The Tenant
2. Majid Michael – Sin of a soul
3. Ramsey Noah – The Figurine
4. Odera Ozoka – Soul Diaspora
5. John Osie Tutu Agyeman – I Sing of a well




21. BEST SCREENPLAY

1. Season of a life
2. The Tenant
3. Freedom In chains
4. Guilty Pleasure
5. I sing of a well

22. AMAA ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

1. The Perfect Picture
2. Figurine
3. I sing of a well
4. The Child
5. The Tenant

23. BEST PICTURE

1. Seasons of a life (Malawi)
2. The tenant (Nigeria)
3. The Perfect Picture (Ghana)
4. The Figurine (Nigeria)
5. I sing of a well (Ghana)

24. BEST DIRECTOR

1. Shemu Joyah- Seasons of a life
2. Shirley Frimpong-Manso- The Perfect Picture
3. Kunle Afolayan – Figurine
4. Leila Jewel Djansi – I sing of a well
5. Jude Idada and Lucky Ejim – The Tenant

http://simplyhabeeb.blogspot.com/2010/03/figurine-child-i-sing-of-well-perfect.html

By Samuel Olatunji - www.sunnewsonline.com •The stars need to get their acts together — Shuaibu Hussein, Head, Screener College, AMAA Published Sunday, April 19, 2009

Once upon a time, venue of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) usually served as meeting point for entertainment stars across the spectrum of Nollywood and beyond. It is not uncommon to see the likes of Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Stella Damasus-Nzeribe, Omotola, Rita Dominic, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Uche Jombo, Ini Edo, Mercy Johnson, Jim Iyke and the likes at AMAA, but this year witnessed a reversal in fortune as these big stars kept away from the Glover Hall at Bayelsa State, the venue of the award.


Susan Peters, Uche Jombo & Rita Dominic at Thelma Okoduwa's wedding

Findings by Showbiz Now reveals that the stars decided to stay away to protest some certain grievances they have against AMAA and its organisers. It would be recalled that two weeks ago, we reported and quoted star actor, Emeka Ike, saying he has some grudges with AMAA. And from what played out last week at the UBA/AMAA, it appears he is not the only one that has grudges.

Though no official meeting was held against AMAA, the stars in solidarity with one another decided to stay away from the event. For instance, Funke Akindele and Mercy Johnson, both award winners, were not present to receive their awards. Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Uche Jombo, Susan Peters were all at Thelma Okodua’s wedding at Lekki, Lagos where Rita was the bride of honour. Eucharia Anunobi was not there, Ini Edo was on set while Omotola was simply at home. Ramsey Nouah was on set of Kunle Afolayan’s set and Kunle himself whom many see as AMAA’s baby was not there.


Ramsey cruising to set of Kunle Afolayan's Figurine 

These stars Stephanie Okereke (who refused to speak about the award when we spoke to her despite always being enthusiastic about it in the past), Chinedu Ikedieze, Kate Henshaw, Fred Amata, Patrick Doyle were the few handful stars that made it to the event. Though the English genre stars were absent, the Yoruba stars took over and they were heavily represented by Femi Brainard, Doris Simon, Eniola Badmus (Gbogbo Bigz gal), Tunde Kelani and a few others.

One star actress who spoke to us on condition that we keep her name out of print told us that AMAA treats stars as if they are not stars. “Can you imagine an award ceremony that has to do with actors and actresses and they have to sit with the audience as spectators? A colleague of mine that called them for the sitting arrangement at the dinner they had in Lagos was told bluntly that there was no special sitting arrangement for stars. If they want us to show loyalty to the award, they should treat us like stars that we are.”

Another actor who also prefers anonymity said he was not at AMAA because the whole concept was designed to make the organisers rich and nothing is added or given back to the industry. “What do I stand to gain by attending AMAA?”, he asked us when we asked him about his absence at AMAA. I will not only waste my time and energy going there, I would have to leave behind things that would fetch me money and add values to my life. In other parts of the world, award organisers give incentives to make stars want to come, but here, UBA/AMAA goes about as if it is doing us one huge favour by inviting us.”
One top producer queries AMAA for asking filmmakers to submit entries for the awards. “Why should filmmakers submit entries for the award? I expect AMAA, as the foremost award body in Nigeria, to have people who scout for movies and individuals that deserve entries.” Mildreb Okwo, producer of 30 Days who agreed to be quoted told us on record that for AMAA to continue to hold the interest of top stars, it must get more creative in the way it invites and treats the stars. “I don’t think any big star purposely gang up against AMAA as you said.

The truth is, no matter how big you get or how relevant an event is, you must find innovative ways to bring the stars to your event. You must create a platform that will make them not want to miss it. As big as Oscars has gotten, they still go out marketing to the actors. When stars go the Oscars, they are given all types of gifts that worth millions. I know we are not Hollywood, but you must find a way to make it worth people’s time. As it is, Nollywood hardly work now and you want those that are working to leave their job and go to Bayelsa.

Why should they be committed to you? That is the question every business person must ask. The days of thinking that you ‘it’ and you can get what you want are gone. This is for everybody. You can see the way Governor Fashola goes about with his consultation. Don’t think once you do something everybody must rush it. They should have reason to want to go to your event. You must also infuse creativity into the way you invite the people. We should stop referring to the actors as ‘these people’, they are stars.

They are brand. Samuel, you are also a brand, there are things we don’t expect from you. As brands, you must find a way of getting them to the event. It is ridiculous to do the same thing year-in year-out and keep people interested. Funke Akindele is one of the hottest stars right now. Why should she leave what she is doing and fly to attend your award? You must motivate her. Whatever you do to get these people there, you must do it. You must have people who market the award to them.” Another actor wondered why the organisers stop giving monetary rewards to winners. “if they get the kind of money we heard they are getting, there is nothing bad if they give monetary reward.”

However, head of screeners College of AMAA Mr Shuaibu Hussan, disagrees. “AMAA is not just a Nigerian affairs, it is an African thing. If some people did not respond to an invitation , it does not mean there is a gang up. I don’t know where you got this from. Invitation cards were sent to people and none of them wrote to say they were ganging up. If they did not respond, that means they have other things they are doing. If you were at AMAA, you will know that the industry was well represented. If people who have private engagements did not make the event, it does not mean there is a gang up against AMAA.  AMAA is not a Nigerian thing, it is an African thing.”

When we pressed further that something must have gone wrong for the very big stars to be absent from the event, he requested that we read out names of those that were absent and we did. Responding, Shuaibu says the big stars need to be more professional. “Some of these stars need to be more professional in the way they handle their things. Some of them don’t even have addresses. There are some that you are talking about that don’t have functioning email addresses. Some of them expect you to go and drop invitation cards for them at Ojez. Some of them don’t have functioning offices.

Some of them don’t even know AGN’s secretariat. We called some people and they asked us to drop their cards at Ojez. Is that supposed to be a greenroom for artistes? For instance, Genevieve that you are talking about, I have about six numbers that are supposed to be hers. Even trying to get to her as a journalist has been harrowing, not to talk of somebody that is organising an event. So, what are we talking about? If AMAA invites you and they ask you to respond and you don’t because you are a star, will they now go to NTA and announce that we are looking for so and so?

We have people that are not part of the event that called and asked on how to be part of it while major players can’t even send their personal assistants. They need to be more professional. Call them to send a media kit on themselves and you will be dazed that they don’t have it. On a personal level, I’ve tried to get them for festivals abroad and it’s been difficult. I’m not saying AMAA is perfect, but these people are not organised. There is no star that came to the event that was not well treated. I don’t think anybody will fault the AMAA awards itself, you may fault the logistics, particularly because of high profile of jury.

On Emeka Ike, Shuaibu says whatever view he expressed is his own opinion. He faulted him on claim that AMAA has not developed the industry. “The movie, Stronger than Pain that won last year has been to festivals around the world courtesy of recommendation from AMAA. Kate Henshaw has participated in some international events courtesy of winning. That is not the only film. Whitewaters has travelled to festivals courtesy of AMAA. Look at Irapada by Kunle Afolayan, it has been to festivals around the world, courtesy of AMAA. Again, the AMAA Academy organises training for people in the industry.

The members of the jury participate at festivals around the world and if they see good movies at AMAA, they are quick in making recommendations to other festivals. I know that Kenyan movies and Reloaded have gotten invitations to participate in festivals around the world, courtesy of their participation at AMAA. Some people should not rubbish AMAA because they’ve not won it before.”

•Whittiker gets chieftaincy title after DNA reveals his Igbo identity

For Forest Whittiker and his compatriot Danny Glover, it was sweet home coming on Sunday April 5, 2009 when the traditional ruler and people... of Nkwerre, Imo State, welcomed him with a chieftaincy title after taking part at the just-concluded African Movie Academy Awards in Bayelsa.“The sleepy town went in wild jubilation when the motorcade entered the ancient palace of Eshi of Nkwere while the traditional drummers and women dancers welcomed the guests with songs of praises. “The African-American A-List Hollywood stars were introduced to the people and chiefs of the town by Chief Nze Chukwuka Anyiam-Osigwe, the eldest son of the Anyiam-Osigwe brothers who is also a titled chief of Nkwerre.

The elated Anyiam-Osigwe told the crowd at the palace of Eze Dr. Chijioke Jeki Okwara IV, that the coming of Danny Glover and Forest Whittiker was the greatest thing to happen to black history as history was made on the day the two men re-established their connection with their roots.“Forest Whittiker has done a DNA which revealed that he has Igbo ancestral root and a link with Nkwerre people. The eldest Anyiam-Osigwe said: “This is our lost brother. We have found him and brought him home. It is only an Nkwere man that can find his way home after many years. We are a people from unparalleled kingdom. We are a pride of Igboland. Today, our brother Whittiker and his friend Mr. Glover will be made Nkwerre Chiefs and it is not an easy task to be an Nkwerre chief because there are only 30 Nkwerre chiefs in the whole world,’’ he said.




After introducing the Hollywood stars to the people and chiefs, the King ordered that they be brought into the inner chamber for traditional rites preceding their final confirmation as chiefs. It was an emotional one for Whittiker who has been working all his life to establish direct contact with his ancestral Igboland and the quest was made possible by attending the UBA-AMAA awards in Nigeria as a star guest. “After the traditional rite of hand-washing before the breaking of kolanut, which signifies purity and cleansing the Eze Okwara IV, Eshi of Nkwere called on the Eze Anyiam-Osigwe, the eldest of the Anyiam Osigwe brothers, to once again confirm if the guests were worthy to be made Chiefs of Nkwerre. Before the 20 heads of villages that made up of Nkwerre, Eze Anyiam-Osigwe proclaimed the worthiness of Glover and Whittiker to be chiefs of Nkwerre.

“Danny Glover is a member of our family for his attitude and ways of assistance to us. Being an Nkwerre chief will help us socially, culturally and economically as our dream of a film village and film institute will be realised with Danny and Whittiker as chiefs of our town. They are good people. We present them as worthy of being chiefs of Nkwerre,’’ Anyiam Osigwe declared. “Upon the public affirmation of the duo as worthy of the honour, Eze Okwara asked the palace chief to bring out a live eagle, a symbol of strength, vigour and power to complete the chieftaincy rite. The king removed the feathers of the eagle and stuck it in a red cap before both men wore their caps as red cap chiefs of Nkwerre. Whittiker was honoured with the title of Nwannedinambar of Nkwerre, which means a brother in foreign land, while Glover had the title of Enyioma, which means a good friend of Nkwerre. “The traditional ruler of Nkwerre told the people at the ceremony that good things were happening to the black race, with a black man becoming American President.

“The black race is an intelligent race. You will see how the Obama stimulus package will bail out the world economy already in recession. It is the same level of black intelligence that made it possible for our son and brother to get to the height of their career as Hollywood stars.”

When you get to America tell them you have discovered your root,’’ he told Whittiker . He went further: ‘’This meeting today will bring a relationship of partnership between Nkwerre and African-America through cultural exchange and economic opportunities,’’ the monarch explained.

While accepting the honours, the two men thanked the people and the king for accepting them and recognising their achievements as movie stars and for them finding worthy to be honoured. They promised the people that they would live up to the demand of their traditional offices.

Source:     http://www.compassnews.net/news/
Photos:     Simply Habeeb.blogspot.com

South African film wins 3 awards at the African Movie Academy Awards AMAA

Gugu and Andile, directed by Minky Schlesinger, walked away with 3 awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in Nigeria last week, including Best Picture in and African Language, Most Promising Actor and Most Promising Actress.

The film was nominated in 10 categories, and came home with awards for most promising Actor (Litha Booi) and most promising actress (Lungelo Dhladha), and the award for Best Film in an African Language. GUGU & ANDILE is a 90minute feature film produced by Luna Films (now rebranded as Fireworx Media) as a part of the Shakespeare in Mzanzi series for SABC in 2008. In the tradition of Romeo & Juliet, it's a love-story set against the backdrop of the war that raged through South Africa's townships in the early 1990s. It tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers, unlucky enough to be born into families on opposite sides of the political and cultural divide... Producer Bridget Pickering said: 'This is an incredible recognition for the years of hard work that the team put into developing the script, and despite the challenge of a limited budget, the production crew and director Minky Schlesinger pulled out all the stops under testing shooting conditions in the Thokoza township in the middle of the rainy season to bring the film in on budget and still focus on creating a compelling story with strong visuals that remained true to that difficult period in South Africa's history.' Producer Neil Brandt, who was in Nigeria with the lead cast, director and production designer Flo Ballack (nominated for best Art Direction), to collect the awards, said: 'The AMAAs was a truly fascinating experience, with the selection of films exceptional, and of course the opportunity to engage with fellow filmmakers from across the continent is an opportunity not to be missed. The awards ceremony itself was a well-produced live televised event, with stars such as Salief Keita providing entertainment, and Hollywood Danny Glover and Forest Whitaker providing some glamour. Our young lead actors, for whom this was their first time out of South Africa, could hardly believe it when they were personally congratulated by Danny and Forest! I strongly recommend that more South Africans submit their films to the AMAAs in future years. We at Fireworx are certainly going to be using this opportunity to explore future co-production opportunities with filmmakers in Nigeria.' For more information on Fireworx Media, go to www.fireworxmedia.co.za. For more information on the AMAAs go to http://www.ama-awards.com/ AMAA 2009 NOMINATION LIST (Fireworx Media nominations only) ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND 1. From a Whisper 2. Battle of the Soul 3. Seventh Heaven 4. Gugu and Andile 5. Grey Focus ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION 1. Small Boy - Michelle Bello 2. Five Apostles - Ifeanyi Onyeabor 3. Agony of the Christ - Jude Odoh 4. Gugu and Andile - Flo Ballack 5. Revolution - Eddybongo Uka MOST PROMISING ACTOR 1. Litha Booi - Gugu and Andile 2. Mavila Anthana Keriario - Battle of the Soul 3. Ruffy Samuel - Dead End 4. Segun Adefila - Arugba 5. Sherrif Ramzy - Seventh Heaven MOST PROMISING ACTRESS 1. Bhaira Mcwizu - Cindy’s Note 2. Bukola Awoyemi - Arugba 3. Lydia Farson - Scorned 4. Lungelo Dhladhla - Gugu and Andile 5. Mfouemon Bea. Flore - Ma Saah Sah BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE 1. Femi Adebayo - Apaadi 2. Abubakar Mvenda and Ken Ambani - From a Whisper 3. Mac Mathunjwa - Gugu and Andile 4. Yemi Blaq - Grey Focus 5. Joel Okuyo Prynce - Battle of the Soul BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE 1. Aggie Kebirungi - Battle of the Soul 2. Mercy Johnson - Live to Remember 3. Mosunmola Filani - Jenifa 4. Daphney Hlomuka - Gugu and Andile 5. Chika Ike - The Assassin BEST FILM IN AFRICAN LANGUAGE 1. Gugu and Andile - South Africa 2. Arugba - Nigeria 3. Mah Saah Sa - Cameroun 4. Uyai - Nigeria 5. Apaadi - Nigeria ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY 1. From a Whisper - Marius Van Graan 2. Seventh Heaven - Ramses Marzouk 3. Cindy’s Note - Izu Ojukwu 4. Gugu and Andile - Greg Heimann 5. Battle of the Soul - Stephen Njero and Tony Matomi BEST PICTURE 1. From a Whisper - Kenya 2. Arugba - Nigeria 3. Gugu and Andile - South Africa 4. Battle of the Soul - Uganda 5. Seventh Heaven - Egypt BEST DIRECTOR 1. Wanuri Kahiu - From a Whisper (Kenya) 2. Tunde Kelani - Arugba (Nigeria) 3. Minky Schlesinger - Gugu and Andile (South Africa) 4. Math Bish - Battle of the Soul (Uganda) 5. Saad Hendawy - Seventh Heaven (Egypt)