African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Is Tonight! What Is Their Expectation Today?

Tonight at the Bayelsa Cultural Centre, Yenagoa in Bayelsa State in Nigeria, the 7^th African Movie Academy Awards 2011 winners will be declared. It is very difficult to know who wins what tonight.

But virtually everyone here on the African Continent has an expectation. What is your expectations? GhanaCelebrities.Com spoke to some people in the movie industry on the continent. Read more …

MAJID MICHEL [BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE NOMINEE]: “I just want to have lots of fun tonight. I will be surprised if I win it and surprised if I don’t win it.”

FATIMA JABBE [ACTRESS AND ASSOCIATE PRODUCER FOR THE MOVIE ‘MIRROR BOY’ FROM GAMBIA/UK]: “This is my second time in Nigeria but my first time at the AMAA. I’m looking forward for a good show and a fair show. If your film is nominated, you always want to make sure you win but it’s the experience that matters here, we are meeting different people, we are talking, we are interacting, we are networking. Today is a day that you know that Africans have started realizing that we have something good to export to the rest of the world to acknowledge us”.

SAJANI SRIVASTAVA [A FILM MAKER FROM INDIA BUT HAS A COMPANY IN TANZANIA] HER MOVIE ‘NANI’ NOMINATED FOR BEST VISUAL EFFECTS: “This is my first time in Nigeria and in the AMAAs and my expectations for the awards is very high. I’m always positive. Let’s leave it to God.

Yes I’m confident I’m winning the award because my film won the best film in Zanzibar Film Festival as well as nominated in other film festivals, so I have high hopes for tonight. I have not seen the other movies I’m competing with but I know they are good movies also”.

DZIGBODI ALLOTEY [PRESENTER FROM GHANA]: “As usual I’m expecting to have fun. I’m expecting to see an improvement from last year’s awards. I have the feeling tonight is going to be great. I’m hoping to have more fun.
The nominations is tight, it’s very competitive. An AMAA win for any of them is a great achievement. More countries this year and more great movies this year. It’s not all about winning, if you are nominated is just great. I don’t know who is going to win but I hope we [Ghana] will take some awards home.”
AMEYAW DEBRAH [ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER FROM GHANA]: “I hope that Ghana will be made proud by Sinking Sands winning at least three awards and I’m expecting new faces to win lots of awards.”

EMMANUEL ARMAH [GHANAIAN ACTOR]: I’m expecting big things to happen. I hope that those who deserve it win it. Sinking Sands has been nominated in most categories and I hope it win about 5 awards. Good luck Ghana.”
YAW BOAKYE [INTERNATIONAL FILM DISTRIBUTOR]: Tonight is going to be one of the greatest nights with over 300 submissions for feature films. I know Ghana will win some awards tonight. Ghana is winning about 4 awards.”

LYDIA FORSON [CO-WINNER OF THE AMAA BEST ACTRESS LAST YEAR]: I’m expecting to have lots of fun, I love being here. This year’s AMAA is different because there is lot in terms of networking; it’s a very tight competition but I’m hoping Ghana will come up with great awards. It will be great to hand over to another great actress from Ghana.
BEVERLY AFAGLO [GHANAIAN ACTRESS]: “I’m hoping to have more fun tonight, that’s why I came here. I wish the Ghanaian nominees the very best of luck.”

EKOW BLANKSON [GHANAIAN ACTOR, NOMINATED IN THE BEST ACTOR IN LEADING ROLE CATEGORY]: Well I’m hoping to have a lot of fun, since I haven’t seen it before I don’t know what it looks like but I have heard so much about it and I expect it to be great. I have seen a lot of things, I have seen a lot of stars coming in, and may the best people win it. I pray to God to let me win my category.”

PETRA BANINLA SUNJO (CAMEROONIAN, HER MOVIE ‘BONGFEN’ IS NOMINATED FOR THE ‘BEST SHORT FILM’): “Maybe the best person win and whatever the outcome I will be happy to have been nominated in the first place and all the people I have met, all the connections I have been able to made so far has been worth it, so whoever wins, lets say thank goodness.”
SONNY MCDON-W [NIGERIAN ACTOR]: My expectation for tonight is fantastic. Today will be the best of all of AMAAs, we had more entries from African countries who have never entered AMAA before. The entry was more enormous far higher than previous years. We had filmmakers from the Diaspora from England, from USA, UK, and Italy and from India.”

EJIKE ASIEGBU [ACTOR AND FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE NIGERIAN ACTORS GUILD]: “My expectations for tonight is that, I think AMAA is getting more bigger and better and I know that lot more African countries are taking more interest. AMAA has come of age. New entrance and new movies have entered into the competition and new actors, directors and kids actors as well as people who have won awards. People are beginning to take motion pictures industry in Africa serious and more talents are discovered. More networking is happening and will continue to happen.”

EBI BRIGHT-FASINTEI [NIGERIAN ACTRESS BASED IN GHANA]: “I have never been to AMAA before, so I’m expected to be blessed surprised. I’m very happy for those people that have been nominated; I think they are very deserving. I hope my favourites [those from Ghana] winning their categories.”

STEVE EBOH [NIGERIAN ACTOR]: “My God, I hope the best people will win the awards”.
FRANK RAJAH ARASE [NIGERIAN DIRECTOR BASED IN GHANA. PRODUCED AND DIRECTED POOL PARTY]: “As far as I’m concerned, I’m here get myself entertained and I’m happy my movie [Pool Party] is part of the best 5 and that alone gives me joy. I’m happy that my major characters were picked for the best and best supporting and we that I’m fine because from the movie in question [Pool Party], I never expected that much, it’s a movie I financed myself. I cut corners and try how best I can make it reduce cost but I did my best and the actors in question, Majid Michel [Best Actor In A Leading Role Nominee ] and Yvonne Okoro [Best Supporting Actress In A Leading Role Nominee]. I’m sure one of them will get something tonight if not both because they both did well but if none of them get something, I will be fine because it goes a long way to show that, myself I have been a hero in terms of African films cinemas because looking into it since the birth of AMAA, my movies has always been among the top 5, every single year, last year four of my movies was nominated. Every year, there has never been an AMAA without my movies in the top 5 and I’m happy and grateful for that. So far as I’m concerned Majid Michel is the best in Africa.”
PAUL OBAZELE [ACTOR & PRESIDENT, ASSOCIATION OF MOVIE PRODUCERS, NIGERIA]: “I have great expectation tonight that we have added further to our cup in Africa that every filmmaker has come here to day to talk with one voice. We talking about showing our own pictures to make the whole world know that we not know second class citizen. That is why I’m a proud black man, whether I’m fair or dark I’m still a black man.
Below Is The Full List Of The Nominations!
Best Short Film
Bongfen – Petra Baninla Sunjo (Cameroun)
Weakness – Wanjiru Kairu (Kenya)
No Jersey No Match – Daniel Ademinokan (Nigeria)
Duty – Mak Kusare (Nigeria)
Bonlambo – Zwe Lesizwe Ntuli (South Africa)
Zebu And The Photofish – Zipporah Nyarori (Kenya)
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)
Allahkabo – Bouna Cherif Fofana (Togo)
Best Short Documentary
Symphony Kinsasha – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (Congo)
Naija Diamonds (Feature On Dr. Rahmat Mohammed) – Nform Leonard (Nigeria)
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (DRC)
Stepping Into The Unknown – Rowena Aldous & Jill Hanas-Hancock (South Africa)
Yeabu’s Homecoming – Jenny Chu (Sierra Leone)
Best Documentary
Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)
Headlines In History – Zobby Bresson (Kenya)
Co-Exist – Adam Mazo (Rwanda)
State Of Mind – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)
Naija Diamonds – Nfrom Leonard (Nigeria)
Best Diaspora Feature
Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (USA)
Tested – Russell Costanzo (USA)
Nothing Less -Wayne Saunders (UK)
The Village -Wayne Saunders (UK)

Best Diaspora Documentary
Stubborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (USA)
Momentum- Zeinabu Irene Davis (USA)
If Not Now – Louis Haggart (USA)
Motherland – Owen Alik Shahadah (USA)
Changement – Chiara Cavallazi (Italy)
Best Diaspora Short Film
Cycle- Roy Clovis (USA)
Under Tow – Miles Orion Feld (USA)
Habitual Aggression – Temi Ojo (USA)
Little Soldier – Dallas King (USA)
The New N Word – Sowande Tichawonna (USA)
Precipice – Julius Amedume (UK)
Best Film For African Abroad
Anchor Baby – Lonzo Nzekwe (Nigeria/Canada)
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters- Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/USA)
Mirror Boy – Obi Emelonye (Nigeria/UK)
Africa United – Debs Gardner-Brook (Rwanda/UK)

Best Production Design
Tango With Me
Viva Riva
Hopeville
6 HOURS TO CHRISTMAS
Maami
Best Costume Design
Inale
Yemoja
SINKING SANDS
Aramotu
Elmina
Best Makeup
Inale
SINKING SANDS
A Private Storm
Viva Riva
A Small Town Called Descent
Best Soundtrack
Viva Riva
Africa United
Izulu Lami
Inale
A Small Town Called Descent
Best Visual Effects
Aramotu
Nani
WHO OWNS DA CITY
Inale
A Small Town Called Descent

Best Achievement In Sound
SINKING SANDS
Shirley Adams
Izulu Lami
Viva Riva
Tango With Me
Best Cinematography
SINKING SANDS
Maami
Izulu Lami
Hopeville
Viva Riva
Best Screenplay
Soul Boy
SINKING SANDS
Hopeville
Shirley Adams
Izulu Lami
Best Nigerian Film
Maami – Tunde Kelani
Aramotu – Niji Akanni
Tango With Me – Mahmood Ali- Balogun
Inale – Jeta Amata
A Private Storm – Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun/Ikechukwu Onyeka
Best Film In African Language
Aramotu – Niji Akanni (Nigeria)
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)
Soul Boy- Hawa Essuman (Kenya)
Suwi – Musola Catherine Kaseketi (Zambia)
Fishing The Little Stone – Kaz Kasozi (Uganda)

Best Child Actor
Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga(Khwezi) – Izulu Lami
Eriya Ndayambaje- Dudu In Africa United
Jordan Ntunga- Anto In Viva Riva
Ayomide Abatti- Young Kashi In Maami
Benjamin Abemigisha- Zebu In Zebu And The Photofish
Shantel Mwabi- Bupe In Suwi

Best Young Actor
Yves Dusenge (Child Soldier) And Roger Nsengiyumua (Footballer) – Africa United
Samson Odhiambo And Leila Dayan Opou – Soul Boy
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy
Donovan Adams – Shirley Adams
Junior Singo – Hopeville

Best Actor In Supporting Role
Osita Iheme – Mirror Boy
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva
Mpilo Vusi Kunene – A Small Town Called Descent
JOHN DUMELO – A PRIVATE STORM
Desmond Dube- Hopeville

Best Actress In Supporting Role
Mary Twala – Hopeville
Joyce Ntalabe – The Rivaling Shadow
Marlene Longage- Viva Riva
Tina Mba -Tango With Me
YVONNE OKORO – POOL PARTY

Best Actor In Leading Role
Themba Ndaba – Hopeville
Patsha Bay -Viva Riva
Jimmy Jean-Louis – Sinking Sands
Ekow Blankson – Checkmate
Antar Laniyan – Yemoja
MAJID MICHEL – POOL PARTY

Best Actress In Leading Role
Idiat Shobande -Aramotu
Omoni Oboli- Anchor Baby
Manie Malone – Viva Riva
AMA K. ABEBRESE- SINKING SANDS
Denise Newman -Shirley Adams
Genevieve Nnaji – Tango With Me
Best Director
Soul Boy – Hawa Essuman
Shirley Adams – Oliver Hermanus
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga
Aramotu – Niji Akanni
A Small Town Called Descent – Jahmail. X. T Qubeka
SINKING SANDS – LEILA DJANSI

Best Film
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)
SINKING SANDS – LEILA DJANSI (GHANA)
Aramotu – Niji Akanni (Nigeria)
Soul Boy – Hawa Essuman (Kenya)
Hopeville – John Trengove (South Africa)
A Small Town Called Descent – Jahmil X.T Qubeka (South Africa)