Even though actress Yvonne Okoro’s recent self-produced movie ‘The Contrast’ has gotten worldwide attention after its release, the movie failed to pick a single award from as many as six nominations at the just ended 9th edition of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in Nigeria, yesterday.
The award which was instituted to recognise and award deserving film making on the African continent has gained worldwide recognition.
The winners were announced at a live event at the Glory Hall Cultural Centre in Yenagoa, the capital of Bayelsa State, Nigeria. The Ghanaian/Nigerian actress-Yvonne Okoro travelled to Nigeria hoping to pick an award in her first movie as a producer.
Yvonne entered the awards with 6 nominations from 671 films which were submitted for consideration, including 184 short films, 108 Diaspora features – documentaries and shorts films, 60 documentaries from Africa and 319 feature films from within and outside Africa, including films made by Africans living abroad.
The night started well for Ghana and climaxed with heartbreaks, especially for the Ghanaian actress turned producer.
Ghana picked the first award which was the country’s only award on the night with ‘Kwaku Ananse’ movie, a short film from Akosua Adoma Owusu, a writer and director.
Now Is The Time For The Heartbreaks…
In the technical department, Yvonne Okoro’s movie failed to win in the following categories, ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Screenplay’, ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Editing’ and ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Production Design’.
The bad night continued when it came to one category she would have loved to take back home, ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role’ however, she was knocked out by South African’s actress, Florence Masebe from the movie ‘Elelwani’.
From the ‘Assassins Practice’ movie, the late Nollywood actor Justus Esiri won the ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Leading Role’ beating off challenge from Yvonne Okoro’s opposite character South African’s actor Hlomla Dandala in ‘Contract’ as well as OC Ukeje – Alan Poza, Bimbo Manuel – Hereos And Zereos, Lindani Nkosi – Zama Zama, Femi Jacobs – The Meeting and Amurin Wumnembom – Ninah’s Dowry.
Director of the movie, Shirley Frimpong-Manso also lost the ‘AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Director’ to ‘Hereos And Zeroes’ director, Niji Akanni.
What Kwaku Ananse-The Only Winning Ghanaian Movie Is About…
Kwaku Ananse is a re-telling of the classic West African fable with a semi-autobiographical twist, featuring Ghana’s legendary palm wine musician, Koo Nimo as Kwaku Ananse. It was commissioned by Focus Features, as part of their prestigious Africa First Award Program, and supported by the Sarah Jacobson Grant, Art Matters grant, and a well-received Indie Gogo Campaign.
Combined with the unique co-production efforts of acclaimed Mexican producer, Julio Chavezmontes (Sundance New Frontier “Halley”) and Lisa Cortes (Executive Producer for Academy Award Winning “Precious”), Kwaku Ananse premiered in competition at the prestigious Berlinale Film Festival, as part of the Golden Bear competition, and was met with rave reviews.
How The Director Of Kwaku Ananse Accepted Her Award…
During her acceptance speech, an emotional Akosua Adoma Owusu who was lost for words intermittently danced Azonto to the delight for the patrons. The audience loved her not-so-perfect Azonto movements as they clapped and cheered her on for being a first award winner on the night.
Check out the full list of the nominations
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Short Film: Kwaku Ananse – Ghana
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Documentary: Fuelling Poverty – Nigeria
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Diaspora Feature: Stones In The Sun- Haiti/USA
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Diaspora Documentary: Fan Do Brasil (Brazil/Guatamela)
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Animation: Adventure Of Zambezia– (South Africa)
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Film By An Africans Abroad: Last Flight To Abuja– UK/Nigeria
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Production Design: Elelwani
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Costume Design: Blood And Henna/Nigeria
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Make-Up: The Meeting
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Soundtrack: The Last Fishing Boat
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Visual Effects: The Twin Sword
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Sound: Nairobi Half Life
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Cinematography: Uhlanga, The Mark
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Editing: Hereos And Zereos
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Lightning: Moi Zaphira
AMAA 2013 Prize For Achievement In Screenplay: Hereos And Zereos
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Nigerian Film: Confusion Na Wa/Nigeria
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Film In An African Language: Moi Zaphira/Burkina Faso
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Promising Actor: Belinda Effah – Kokomma
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Gabriel Afolayan – Hoodrush
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Hermelinda Cimela – Virgin Magarida
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Leading Role: Justus Esiri – Assasins Practice
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role: Florence Masebe – Elelwani
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Director: Niji Akanni – Hereos And Zeroes/Nigeria
AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Film: Confusion Na Wa/Nigeria
Source: ghanacelebrities.com
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