South African Charlie Vundla scooped Best Director and his debut film, noir thriller How 2 Steal 2 Million, was named Best Film at the eight Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held on Sunday night, at The Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suite in Lagos, Nigeria.
South African actress Terry Pheto was named Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, which also won Best Achievement in Editing (Garreth Fradgely). With four awards, How 2 Steal 2 Millionwas the most awarded film on the night.
Nigeria’s Benin-set historical epic Adesuwa was a close second with three awards, for Costume Design, Visual Effects, and Best Nigerian Film.
South Africa’s crime drama State of Violence won Best Film in an African Language and Best Achievement in Sound.
Man on Ground, a Nigerian/South African xenophobia-themed coproduction, won the Special Jury Award – given for only the third time since the inception of AMAA – and Best Supporting Actor for South African Fana Mokoena.
Nigeria’s Rita Dominic was named Best Actress for her role in Kenyan film Shattered, while Ghanaian Majid Michel won Best Actor for his role in Somewhere in Africa.
Danny Glover’s Toussaint Louverture was named Best Diaspora Film.
Nigeria was the most awarded country on the night, receiving 12 awards, followed closely by South Africa with 10.
The pre-event kicked off with the red carpet which lasted for a while, after which the main event started with National Anthem and the founder and CEO Peace Anyiam-Osigwe gave her speech.
Anchors of the events were Ambo awards winner O.C Ukeje and Hollywood actor Jimmy Jeans Louis.
The first performance was by Nigerian Idol judge Yinka Davies, also performing was musician Edge.
After some set of awards, Senegal artiste Vilia showed their dancing skills.
Nigerian’s own queen of soul Asa thrilled the audience with her hit song “Jailer”, the audience still in the spirit of more music the two baba himself Innocent Idibia popularly called Tuface killed it with his performance.
Also in attendance were Hollywood stars Morris Chestnut, Lynn Whitfield,Maya Gilbert, Rockmond Dunbar amongst others.
So much display of emotions as the winners collected their awards.
A full list of winners
Best short films – Braids on a bald head
Best Documentary – African Election: Nigeria/Germany
Best Diaspora Feature – Toussaint Louverture: France
Best Documentary in Diaspora – The Education of Auma Obama: Germany
Best Diaspora (short film) – White Sugar in a Black Pot
Best Animation – The Legend of Ngog Hills – Kenya
Best Film by an African Living Abroad – Mystery of Birds
Achievements in Production Design – Phone Swap: Pat Nebo
Achievements in Costume Design – Adesuwa Iyen Agbonifo
Achievement in Make-up – Shattered: Sarah Wanjiru
Achievement in Soundtrack – Alero’s Symphony: Chibuzor Orji (Faze)
Achievement in Visual Effects – Adesuwa: Victor Ehi-Amedu
Achievement in Sound – State of Violence: (S.A) Jim Petrack
Achievement in Cinematography – Otelo Burning: Lance Gewer
Achievement in Editing – How to Steal 2 Million: Mick Audsley
Achievement in Screenplay – Ties that Bind: Leila DJansi (Ghana)
Best Nigerian Film – Adesuwa: Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen (Nigeria)
Best Film in African Language – State of Violence: (South Africa)
Best Child Actor – Reginna Davies
Best Young/promising Actor – Ivie Okujaye: Alero’s Symphony
Best Actor in a Supporting Role – Fano Mokena: Man on Ground
Best Actress in Supporting Role – Terry Pheto: How to Steal 2 Million
Best Actor in Leading Role – Majid Michel: Somewhere in Africa
Best Actress in a Leading Role – Rita Dominic: Shattered
Best Director – Charlie Vundla: How to Steal 2 Million
AMAA Jury Award – Man on Ground
Movie of the Year – How to Steal 2 Million