AMAA 2023: Tobi Bakre, Nse Ikpe Etim, Others Win Big

Posted on October 30, 2023

The 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA held on Sunday, 29 October, will remain memorable to attendees, film and media practitioners, and more importantly, winners.

At the awards ceremony that had Ghana’s Camidoh, Nigeria’s KCee and highly talented Yinka Davies serenading nominees, African film enthusiasts, and practitioners, Nigeria’s Tobi Bakre, and Nse Ikpe Etim won big for their roles in ‘Gangs of Lagos’ and ‘4.4.44’ respectively.

Other films that won different categories include Senegal’s ‘Xale,’ which won Best Film and Best Costume design categories, Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Anikulapo,’ which won Best Film in African Language, and Best Production Design, as well as CJ ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s ‘Mami Water,’ which won the Best Cinematography.

The awards ceremony held at the Balmoral Convention Centre, inside Sheraton Hotel , Ikeja, Lagos, had Nancy Isime, Rahama Sadau, and Richard Ato Turkson taking the host positions.

Other highlights of the show include the moving tribute to the late founder of AMAA, Peace Marie Ogechi Anyiam-Osigwe, who passed away in January 2023.

The moving tribute left several members of the Anyiam-Osigwe clan teary as well as AMAA jury members, attendees, and other film practitioners

Speaking at the event, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, a director of the board of AFA, owners of AMAA promised that the family will continue with the legacies of late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who impacted on the African film industry and filmmakers before her passing away.

He stressed that the preparation for the 20th edition of AMAA has begun and promised to continue partnerships that have been created and made since the inception of the continental film award.

The continental awards ceremony also had performances from Nigeria Idol’s superstar, Zadok, who left the attendees and guests asking for more with his sterling performance.

Also flying the Nigerian flag high was Jude Idada’s ‘Kofa’ which won the Film by an African Abroad category. Cameroonian documentary film ‘Le spectre de Boko Haram’ also won the Best Documentary category while ‘Lions’ and ‘Jabari’ won the awards for Best Short FIlm and Best Animation categories.

Another highlight of the night was the honour given to veteran actor Charles Olumo aka Agbako.

He was honoured with a lifetime achievement award for his contribution to Nigeria’s film industry as an actor of over 50 years of experience.

The event had in attendance Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, former Lagos commissioner for Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Pharmacist Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf, George Anyiam-Osigwe, Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, and Kite Anyiam-Osigwe.

Also in attendance were the Jury led by Keith Shiri, Shaibu Husseini, Steve Ayorinde, and several film practitioners that include Jimmy Jean-Louis, Bimbo Manuel, Kunle Afolayan, Odunlade Adekola, Ngozi Nwosu, Charles Otudor, Ralph Nwadike, Bimbo Ademoye, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Tony Akposeri, Osita Iheme, Chinedu Ikedieze, Foluke Daramola-Salako, Enyinna Nwigwe, Fred Amata, Segun Arinze, Seun Soyinka, Clarion Chukwurah, Papa Ajasco, and several others.

THE FULL AMAA 2023 WINNERS LIST

1. Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film

• Lions – Ethiopia

2. Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation

• Jabari – Ghana

3. Best Documentary

• Le Spectre de Boko Haram – Cameroon

4. Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an

African Language

• Anikulapo – Nigeria

5. Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an

African-Born Director Living Abroad