Entertainment
AFRICA MAGIC AND MULTICHOICE UNVEIL NEW HEAD JUDGE FOR AFRICA MAGIC VIEWERS’ CHOICE AWARDS
Prominent South African filmmakers and media representatives gathered at the Four Seasons Hotel The WestCliff Hotel in Johannesburg as leading South African filmmaker Desiree Markgraff was officially unveiled as the Head Judge for the 2017 edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), the prestigious initiative that honours film and TV talent across the continent. The 5th annual AMVCAs ceremony takes place in Lagos, Nigeria on 3 and 4 March 2017.
Desiree Markgraff is co-owner and CEO of The Bomb Shelter Productions, a leading South African film and television production company. A council member of the NFVF (National Film and Video Foundation) and Chairperson of the NFVF Fiction committee, Desiree has been at the forefront of creating some of South Africa’s most successful television content, including Yizo Yizo, Zone 14, Jacob’s Cross, Isibaya, Ayeye, Amandla, and many more works celebrated around the world.
Speaking on Desiree’s appointment, the CEO of M-Net, Yolisa Phahle said: “We are delighted to announce Desiree as the Head Judge of the AMVCAs. Desiree brings a wealth of experience and industry knowledge to the role. The AMVCAs is an acknowledgement and celebration of the contribution made by Pan African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the success of the continent’s film and television industries, and we believe the appointment of Desiree further restates our commitment to professionalism and true Pan-African representation at the awards.”
For the 2017 edition, a number of awards in different categories will be presented ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography. Other categories will include: editing, soundtrack, make-up, sound, and lighting amongst others. There are 27 categories in all, with 16 open to viewers and 11 decided by the AMVCA panel of judges. Entry is free and the closing date for submissions is 28 October 2016.
Also speaking at the event, the Regional Director for M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “Since the first edition in 2013, the AMVCAs have gone on to become the biggest celebration of film and television talent in Africa.The South African movie and television industry is brimming with exciting talent, and we encourage all eligible filmmakers to enter for the 2017 AMVCAs. Entries are currently open and we ask aspiring South African filmmakers to take advantage of the AMVCA platform to showcase their skills and passion to the rest of the world.”
All films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry if they are broadcast or publicly screened between 1 October 2015 and 30 September 2016. Films, made-for-television movies or television series previously entered into or nominated for an award, or awarded a prize in another film and television competition, also are eligible to be entered.
The newly announced Head Judge, Desiree Markgraff challenged South African filmmakers, at the event, to take advantage of the entry process and show Africa and the rest of the world the skill and quality inherent in the South African film and TV industry.
“The recognition that the AMVCAs bring to nominated and winning works is immense. Since the inception of the awards in 2013, we have seen the dramatic increase in the quality and quantity of the works entered, and when you are nominated for an AMVCA you know you have gained continental and global recognition. I urge all South African filmmakers who meet the criteria to enter their films and show the world the amount of talent and creativity abundant in this region,” added Markgraff.
The AMVCAs and MultiChoice are calling on all film and television industry participants and stakeholders across the continent to take part in this celebration of “African magic” by submitting their works for the 2017 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
ENTRY GUIDELINES:
- Prepare a short show reel for online submission
- Log on to www.africamagic.tv and navigate to the submission page
- Fill out the submission form and upload the clip – a unique reference number will be allocated to each completed online submission
- Deliver a hard copy of your submission (with unique reference number) to Neo Phele, Magic Centre, 137 Bram Fischer Drive, Randburg, South Africa 2194.
- Visit www.africamagic.tv/guidelines for more information and terms and conditions.
Entertainment
One Direction star Liam Payne took cocaine, others before death, says Prosecutors
One Direction star Liam Payne consumed cocaine, alcohol and a prescription antidepressant before falling to his death from a Buenos Aires hotel balcony last month, Argentine prosecutors said Thursday.
The prosecutor’s office added that three people were charged with supplying him with drugs and one of them was also charged with abandoning a person in a vulnerable state.
“The results of the toxicological studies, which have been communicated to his family, revealed that, in the moments prior to his death and over a period covering at least his last 72 hours, Payne had traces of polydrug use of alcohol, cocaine and a prescription antidepressant in his body,” the prosecutors said.
Payne was found dead on October 16 after plunging from the balcony of his third-floor room at the CasaSur Hotel in the Argentine capital.
An autopsy found he died after sustaining “multiple traumas” and “internal and external hemorrhaging” from the fall.
One of the highest-grossing live acts in the world in the 2010s, One Direction went on indefinite hiatus in 2016.
Payne went on to enjoy a degree of solo success but his career had languished recently.
His death at age 31 prompted a global outpouring of grief and condolences from family, former bandmates, fans and others.
– Three charged with drugs supply –
Prosecutors said one of the three people charged in the case had accompanied him on a daily basis during his stay in Buenos Aires and was charged with abandoning a person who later died as well as supplying him with narcotics.
The second suspect is a hotel employee accused of twice supplying Payne with cocaine while he was staying at the CasaSur. A third person is also accused of supplying him with the drug on October 14, two days before his death.
The prosecution ruled out self-harm and the “physical intervention of third parties” as the cause of Payne’s death, saying that the injuries he sustained were compatible with those caused by a fall.
“Payne was either not fully conscious or was in a state of markedly diminished or absent consciousness at the time of the fall,” the report said.
He was found dead after hotel staff called emergency services to report “a guest who is overwhelmed by drugs and alcohol, and destroying his room.”
The toxicological report was published a day after the singer’s father Geoff Payne repatriated his body to Britain aboard a flight from Buenos Aires to London.
Payne’s death has prompted a debate about whether the music industry has a duty of care for the mental health of stars who find fame at a young age.
The singer from Wolverhampton in central England had spoken publicly about struggles with substance abuse and the pressures of teenage stardom.
He first auditioned for the hugely popular television talent show “The X Factor” at the age of 14 but was unsuccessful.
Two years later he hit gold on the program, which teamed him up with Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik to form One Direction.
Over the next six years, the group enjoyed global fame and legions of screaming fans, selling more than 70 million copies of their five albums. They went on four world tours and won nearly 200 awards.
Entertainment
I’ll stand by Mohbad’s wife until proven guilty by law, says Iyabo Ojo
Iyabo Ojo, the Nigerian actress, has declared that she will continue to support Omowunmi, the wife of the late singer Mohbad.
Mohbad died on September 12. He was buried the following day. On September 21, the body of the 27-year-old music star was exhumed by the police for autopsy.
The circumstances surrounding his death have continued to stir up controversies, with many pointing accusing fingers at Omowunmi.
In a live session, Ojo emphasized that she will keep supporting Omowunmi until proven guilty with concrete evidence by authorities. She urged others to present evidence to the authorities instead of engaging in speculation.
The actress stressed the importance of awaiting legal judgment, stating that social media should not be used to judge others.
“A lot of people are angry that I’m supporting Wunmi. Until the law proves her guilty, there is concrete evidence that she is guilty I will continue to support her,” she said.
“Why would I want to be wicked to someone else’s child when the law has not found her guilty?
“If they like they should drag, curse me, I will not stop being nice to her. Until the judge says otherwise with evidence, proof beyond every reasonable doubt that she is guilty.
“So if I join to crucify someone’s child when I have mine and tomorrow you all find out that she is innocent. Do you think an apology will repair the damages caused, and take away the emotional trauma?
“It can’t, there are something that apology can’t repair. So we have to be mindful of how we want to destroy someone’s life. I do not make social media judgments, there are laws in the country.
“Also everyone who has said they have evidence, take it to the right authorities and let us see, not side talks.”
Entertainment
Influencer Adin Ross wins $1.6m after betting on Trump to win US election
American streamer and social media influencer Adin Ross has come out as one of the big winners in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, securing a $1.6 million payout after betting on Donald Trump to win.
Adin Ross disclosed on his social media accounts that he had placed a $1 million wager on the Republican candidate ahead of Election Day.
The victory follows Trump’s successful bid for the presidency, defeating incumbent Vice President Kamala Harris.
This marks a historical moment as Trump, at 78, becomes the oldest person elected President of the United States.
Just weeks before the election, Ross hosted Trump in a widely viewed live-streaming session, where he publicly endorsed the former president.
Ross’s bet and subsequent win have drawn widespread attention on social media, with fans and followers reacting to both his gamble and its impressive outcome.
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