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
Bimpe Akintunde warns Nigerians against scammers impersonating her on WhatsApp
Bimpe Akintunde, the Nollywood actress, has raised an alarm over a fake WhatsApp account created in her name to scam unsuspecting individuals.
The film star took to her Instagram story to share screenshots of the impersonator, posing as her to solicit money from her followers.
Akintunde expressed her frustration and disappointment, cursing the scammer for attempting to profit from her hard work. She warned the public to be cautious of the impersonator on any media platform.
The actress urged her fans to help report the scammer’s WhatsApp and bank accounts.
She also prayed that God should keep such fraudulent individuals away from her and her loved ones.
“What a morning. Tell me how this country wants to be great, when a lot of people are struggling, working hard to build a name and brand, and boom, one person will take their pictures and name only to be defrauding people up and down,” she wrote.
“Who gave birth to such a child? Useless children, may God keep them away from us.
“Please disregard any message from anyone, either in your DM or WhatsApp, asking you to send money.
“Please, it not me. I do not own this above number. I would appreciate it if we could find a way to report both the WhatsApp and the Opay account.”
Entertainment
Davido advises black Americans not to relocate to Nigeria, says ‘the economy is in shambles’
Davido, the Afrobeats star, has advised black Americans against relocating to Nigeria, citing the country’s economic challenges.
In an appearance on The Big Homies House podcast, the singer shared his thoughts on the struggles bedeviling Nigeria, stating, “It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles”.
Davido also mentioned Nigeria’s struggles with bad leadership, a high exchange rate, and skyrocketing oil prices, which are negatively impacting the country.
“It is not cool back home. The economy is in shambles. I do my part, I am an ambassador. When I go home and I am filming, I am no going to show the bad parts,” he said.
“I am talking about the situation in the country. Now the exchange rate is messed up, a lot of stuffs are not going well.
“The economy is just not good enough. The oil price is too high. Imagine the country that produces oil, paying more for it than a country importing oil.”
Despite the challenges, Davido emphasised the entertainment industry’s positive impact on Africa’s global image.
“Regardless, entertainment is one of the thing that has made Africa look good. We do not have the best leader, that is a fact,” he said.
Entertainment
US actor Jussie Smollett’s conviction for staged attack overturned
American actor, Jussie Smollett’s conviction for fabricating a racist and homophobic hate crime in Chicago in 2019 was overturned Thursday on due process grounds.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruled that Smollett, 42, should not have been charged again by prosecutors after a prior agreement saw over a dozen original charges dismissed.
It is the latest twist in Smollett’s legal saga, which began with his initial claim in January 2019 that he had been attacked on a Chicago street.
The gay African-American actor, then a cast member of the hit TV series “Empire,” said two masked men assaulted him late at night, shouting slurs and placing a noose around his neck.
Smollett staged the attack after receiving a legitimate piece of hate mail which he felt was not taken seriously by his employers, prosecutors said.
But those charges were suddenly dropped in March 2019, under an arrangement in which Smollett forfeited his $10,000 bond and agreed to do community service.
The dismissal was met with anger by some city officials, including then-mayor Rahm Emanuel, who argued $10,000 was only a fraction of the actual investigation costs.
A special prosecutor eventually took over the case and several charges were reinstated.
Smollett, who has always maintained his innocence, was found guilty in December 2021.
Though he was sentenced to 150 days in prison with 30 months on probation, he was released pending the outcome of his appeal.
He was also ordered to repay $120,106 to the Chicago Police to cover their investigation costs.
The case had initially sent shock waves through a deeply divided country still plagued by racial and sexual discrimination, and the actor had immediately received support from celebrities in political and cultural circles.
The Illinois Supreme Court ruling said that bringing the charges a second time after “the defendant has performed his part of the bargain” represented “a due process violation.”
“We therefore reverse (the) defendant’s conviction,” the ruling said.
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