The African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), one of the oldest and most prestigious movie awards on the continent, is in its 15th year. On the 18th of September, the African Academy released an official list of all the African films that are being considered for African Academy Awards. This is the total list of Nigerian films that have been nominated for an award at the 2019 AMAA.
1. Hello Rain
2. Choices
3. Skin
4. Make Room
5. Lara and the Beats
6. Delivery Boy
7. Light in the Dark
8. Gold Statue
9. Knockout Blessing
10. King of Boys
11. Diamond in the Sky
12. Up North
There are 27 award categories to compete for this year, and Nigerian films have been nominated in 24 categories. 12 Nigerian films were nominated in total, with The Delivery Boy and King of Boys getting the highest number of nominations. Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting things to know about the AMAA’s this year.
Beverly Naya’s documentary is the only Nigerian film nominated for Best Documentary.
Beverly Naya’s film Skin is a nominee for Best Documentary. Her film is the only Nigerian documentary competing against documentaries from 8 other African countries. Skin is a documentary about the largely ignored issue of bleaching in Nigeria. The documentary was sponsored by Nivea, and Beverly stated that the purpose of her film Skin is “to teach people about self-confidence, self-love and self-appreciation.”
Two Nigerian films will be competing against each other for Best Film.
The Delivery Boy and King of Boys were both nominated for Best Film, along with 6 other African films. We all hope Nigeria wins this one, but only one Nigerian film can take the award home. However, both movies were intense and action-packed thrillers. King of Boys chronicles the struggles of a ruthless businesswoman as she tries to climb into Nigerian politics, while The Delivery Boy looks at religious terrorism, troubled youth, and the effects of insurgency from interesting and disturbing perspectives. Which Nigerian film do you think should win Best Film? King of Boys or The Delivery Boy?
Reminisce is a nominee for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
In an interview with HipTV, Reminisce confessed that it took 8 months for Kemi Adetiba to convince him to play the role of Makanaki in King of Boys. It was his first attempt at acting in a feature film, and he was afraid of failing. His fears were apparently unnecessary because he gave an incredible performance in his role as Makanaki. He has been nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role, alongside Kanayo O. Kanayo and Bucci Franklyn.
Seyi Shay, Jemima Osunde and Sola Sobowale are nominees for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
Seyi Shay, Jemima Osunde and Sola Sobowale have all been nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for their characters in Lara and the Beat, The Delivery Boy, and King of Boys respectively. Who do you think should win? In Lara and the Beat, Seyi Shay is Lara Giwa; an impulsive rich girl who suddenly has to face reality when a financial scandal threatens the lavish life she has always known. Jemima Osunde is a hardened sex worker in The Delivery Boy, and Sola Sobowale is a cold-blooded crime lord in King of Boys.
Two Nigerian directors are nominees for Best Director.
Kemi Adetiba and Adekunle Adejuyigbe are both nominees for Best Director, alongside 6 other African directors. Kemi Adetiba’s film, King of Boys, broke Nigerian box office records and sparked conversations that spread like wildfire over social media. Yet, The Delivery Boy is a gripping story that offers a strong message. This is the second AMAA category that both films will be competing against each other in. A lot of creative effort clearly went into both films, but which of the two directors do you think deserves to win this award for their work?
The African Movie Academy Awards Ceremony will hold on the 26th of October, 2019.
Sources:
Ama-awards
Dailypost NG
The Guardian NG
Vanguard NG
Africanarguments
Leadership Newspaper
Featured Image Source: Silverbird
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