AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards Announced
Tuesday, January 29, 2013Omoba
On Monday night (28 January), watched by audiences
in 47 African countries, the nominees for the first-ever AfricaMagic Viewers’
Choice Awards (AMVCAs) were revealed during a special edition of lifestyle
program 53 Extra.
Held in association with MultiChoice, and headline sponsor Amstel Malta, the
AMVCAs recognizes and rewards excellence in African film and TV.
Announcing the nominees were stylish Eku Edewor and Dolopo Oni, joined by Jara co-hosts
Uti Nwachukwu (Big Brother All Stars winner) and Helen Paul, Biola Alabi
(M-Net Africa MD), Femi Odugbemi (AMVCA Executive Judge), Lizz Njagah
(Kenyan soap and reality star) and Edem Vindah (Media and Public Affairs
Manager, Nigerian Breweries PLC). Also in studio was the elegant
AMVCA trophy!
Encompassing 28 awards in 26 categories, the AMVCAs includes 6 categories where
viewers will vote for winners and 18 more technically focused categories where
winners will be selected by an expert industry based judging panel (judges will
be announced at a later date).
This judging panel will also select the rising star TrailBlazer of the Year,
and the Industry Merit recipient, a veteran industry professional whose long
term contribution will be honored.
And ensuring the awards specifically recognize outstanding achievement, the
AMVCAs did not name nominees in two categories (Best Documentary and Best
Online Video) as the nominee selection team had preferred to award certificates
of encouragement instead to all entrants.
Understanding that there will be a great curiosity about the initial selection
team responsible for the nominees list, tonight’s show revealed their
identities. They are Allison Triegaardt, Armand-Guy de Beer, Bongiwe
Selane,Deborah Odutayo, Ebou
Waggeh, Eileen
Sandrock, Njoki
Muhoho, Phad Mutumba and Richard West. Together this expert team has an
extraordinary range of experience and an impressive passion for the art of
African storytelling. More info on these accomplished individuals is available
at www.africamagic.tv.
Joining this nominee selection team in January was the accounting firm Sizwe
Ntsaluba Gobodo, who will also verify all winner results going forward.
M-Net Africa MD Biola Alabi says, “We want the AMVCAs to be transparent,
credible, respected and fair. So we selected people to the nominee selection
team who embrace this philosophy. We will do the same when selecting the
industry judging panel that will pick winners in certain categories. We know
that everyone associated with these awards must be diligent and conduct
themselves with integrity during what are challenging, tough processes. At this
time, I must also say that we are truly delighted with the list of nominees and
we wish them all well. Roll on March, we couldn’t be more excited about the big
night and promise TV audiences an event to remember!”
However, the focus of the night was the nominees and leading the way was South
African hit Otelo Burningwith 14 nominations while Nigeria’s brilliant The Mirror
Boy grabbed 11, just in front of Man on Ground, another powerful
Nigerian offering which garnered 9 nominations.
Other titles scoring multiple nominations included Perfect
Picture (8), Two Brides and a Baby (7), Maami (5) andSkeem (5).
In total, there were 110 nominees chosen from 43 different productions from
countries as diverse as Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa,
Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Meanwhile, some of the most eagerly awaited categories also boasted high profile
nominees.
In the category for Best Actress in a Drama, the nominees are Bubu
Mazibuko, Genevieve Nnaji, Nolwazi Shange, Funke Akindele and Jackie Appiah
while in the Best Actress in a Comedy category Funke Akindele, Lilian Esoro and
Mercy Johnson are all in the running. In the Best Actor in a Drama category,
the nominees are Fabian Adeoye Lojede, O.C Ukeje, Kenneth Uphopho, Edward
Kagutuzi and Jafta Mamabolo. Nominees for Best Actor in a Comedy are Hafiz
Oyetoro, Kunle Bamtefa, Bovi Ugboma, Francis Odega and Ikhide Isaac.
And in the Best Movie Overall category are Skeem (Tim
Greene), Man on Ground (Akin Omotoso, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Hakeem
Kae-Kazim and Rosie Motene), Jozi King (Jamie Ramsay), Otelo
Burning (Sara Blecher) andThe Mirror Boy (Obi Emelonye).
MultiChoice Africa CEO, Nico Meyer congratulated all the nominees: “Well done
to all the selected nominees. The AfricaMagic Viewer’s Choice Awards recognises
your hard work, passion and dedication to your trade. The contribution you have
made into the development of the African film and television industry is very
significant and tonight we honour your role. Keep up the good work and we wish
you all the best for the big announcement of winners in March.”
Speaking for the sponsor, Edem Vindah (Media and Public Affairs Manager), said:
“At the core of the Amstel Malta brand is the conviction that everyone has what
it takes to be the best. The brand therefore believes in providing platforms
that not only give opportunity to young talented individuals but also
inspiration. AMVCA is a platform that recognizes and celebrates the best in the
movie and TV industry; a platform of inspiration to encourage young talents in
the industry to ensure they make smart choices that will show their originality
and that they are unique and discerning individuals that deserve to be
recognized and rewarded.”
Now, while the judges deliberate on the non-viewer voted categories, viewers
can also start casting their votes for the 6 all-important viewer voted
categories. Voting begins on Monday January 28 at 23:00 CAT and closes at
midnight CAT on 3 March, 2013. Viewers can vote via WEB, WAP or SMS.
And keep watching the AfricaMagic channels which will profile the nominees over
the next few weeks to ensure you know who’s who! Remember the first- ever
AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards will be screened on DStv and GOtv on
Saturday 9 March, live from Lagos. So get ready to check out the fashion on the
red carpet, to hear the winner’s speeches and of course, to celebrate great
African talent!
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