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Film practitioners, who won big at the recently held Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), have reacted to their victories.
Biggest winners at the awards held at Balmoral Convention Centre, Sheraton Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos on Sunday, October 29 include Nse-Ikpe Etim, Kunle Afolayan, CJ Obasi and Tobi Bakre, who won Best Actor in a Leading Role in Jade Osiberu’s Gangs of Lagos.
According to Bakre, winning the Best Actor award was divine. “Best Actor in a Leading Role at AMAA? God did it! Special thanks to everyone that has been part of my journey from inception. I thank everyone God has used to make all of this a reality. I pray everything you touch turns to gold. We won. Africa we are here,” he enthused.
CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi, whose film Mami Water picked three plaques that included Best Achievement in Make-Up, Best Achievement in Cinematography and NFVCB Award for Best Nigerian Film, said he wished he could be physically present at the event, but he’s “so grateful to the jury and the Academy for this great honour”.
Receiving double awards for Best Film in an African Language and Best Achievement in Production Design for his film, Anikulapo in company of Bimbo Ademoye and Seun Soyinka, Kunle Afolayan expressed gratitude to the organisers, saying that “the reward for hard work is more hard work.”
On her part, Nse Ikpe Etim, whose role in Four For Forty-Four won her the Best Actress in a Leading Role, said she’s “grateful beyond words.”
Co-produced by Kingsley James, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe and George Anyiam-Osigwe, a total of 26 awards were won by actors, cinematographers, producers, costumiers, light operators and many more.
Other awardees were Jude Idada whose movie, Kofa won in the Film by an African Abroad category. Also, Cameroonian docu-film, Le Spectre de Boko Haram won the Best Documentary while Lions and Jabari emerged winners for Best Short Film and Best Animation respectively.
Commenting, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, a director of AFA, owners of AMAA, said the family would continue the legacy of the late founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. He revealed that preparation for the 20th edition has begun, promising to continue the partnerships that have existed since the inception of the awards.
A major highlight of the night was honouring veteran actor, Charles Olumo aka Agbako with a Lifetime Achievement award for his over 50 years contributions to the movie industry.
