Entertainment
SEE FULL LIST: Nigerian family drama ‘The Weekend’ wins best film category at 2024 AMAA
‘The Weekend’, the Daniel Oriahi-directed Nigerian family drama, won the best film category at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
The 20th edition of AMAA was held on November 2, 2024, at the Balmoral Convention Center in Lagos.
This year’s AMAA ceremony celebrated first-time winners and industry veterans alike, handing out plaques across 26 film categories.
The film entries that got nominated were judged by a jury headed by Dorothee Wenner, a filmmaker and curator.
Among the night’s top winners is the Nigerian-directed drama ‘The Weekend’ which won the “Best Film Award” for Nigeria and Africa.
Nigerian filmmaker Femi Adebayo won the “Best Actor in Supporting Role” category for his historical thriller ‘Jagun Jagun’.
The film which had attracted seven nominations also clinched the Achievement Award in visual effects and make-up.
Elsie Abang won the “Best Actress in Supporting Role” in ‘KIPKEMBOI’ while Michell Lemuya snagged the “Best Young Promising Actor” for ‘NAWI’.
South Africa’s Zolisa Xaluva won the “Best Actor in Leading Role” category for his role in ‘The Queenstown King’ while Ghana’s Jackie Appiah snagged the “Best Actress in Leading Role” for ‘Red Carpet’.
The award for best feature film by a director went to “Letters to Goddo”, a film by Harry Bentil.
Jahmil X.T Qubeka won the best director in ‘The Queenstown Kings’.
Souleymane Cissé from Mali, Nacer Khemir from Tunisia, and Haile Gerima from Ethiopia bagged lifetime achievement awards.
Alain Gomis from Senegal and Gabon as well as Tsitsi Dangarembya from Zimbabwe won special recognition awards.
See the full list of AMAA 2024 winners below.
EFERE OZAKO AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
The Last Shoe Maker (Uganda)- WINNER
Seben (Mali)
Dear Future Wife (South Africa)
Isolated (Nigeria)
Joia (Angola)
Strike A Blow And Die (Malawi)
Don’t Call Me Beautiful (Ghana)
Sins Of A Father (Zimbabwe/USA)
JUBRIL MALAFIA AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
Heavy Crown (Libya)
Counter Punch (Kenya) – WINNER
Journey of the Legend (Cameroon)
Hadu (Nigeria)
Between Paya and Koulou (Senegal)
Oya (The goddess of gods) (Nigeria)
Set Pieces (Sudan)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
A Quand L’Afrique (Congo Brazzaville)
The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique) – WINNER
The Return Train (Mali)
Gateway To Dreams (Cameroon)
Rainbow Nation (South Africa)
Dela- The Making of EL-Anatsui (Nigeria)
Donga (Libya)
Rising Up At Night (DRC)
BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM
The Neighbourhood Alert (USA)- WINNER
Bottled Up (Jamaica)
The Golden Boy (USA)
BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA) – WINNER
A Rising Tide (USA)
Colour (USA)
BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE
Outlaw Posse (USA)- WINNER
Mickey Hardaway (USA)
Love After Holidays (USA)
MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD
Out Of Breath (Nigeria/UK)
Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
Isolated (Nigeria/UK)
Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK)- WINNER
Kipkemboi (Nigeria/ Canada)
OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
Makula (Uganda)
Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)- WINNER
Kaka (Nigeria)
Eskhalemi Sikantombella (South Africa)
Unheard (Uganda)
Out of Breath (Nigeria)
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
The Beads
The Weekend
White and Black
Jagun Jagun
The Queenstown Kings
Mai Martaba- WINNER
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
The Weekend
Nawi
Letters to Goddo
Out of Breath
Jagun Jagun – WINNER
Anjola
White and Black
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT
Kipkemboi
Jagun Jagun- WINNER
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Bokwagter
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Orah
Mojisola
Red Carpet
Boda Love – WINNER
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
A Smile, A Wink and a Tear
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings- WINNER
Boda Love
Kipkemboi
Boda Love
ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Orah
The Queenstown Kings
The Weekend
Jagun Jagun
Kipkemboi
Makula
Out of Breath- WINNER
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Weekend- WINNER
Nawi
Kipkemboi
Letters to Goddo
This is Lagos
The Queenstown Kings
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Under The Hanging Tree- WINNER
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Nawi
Kipkemboi
The Beads
Anjola
ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend- WINNER
Letter To Goddo
This is Lagos
Boda love
The Queenstown Kings
Out of Breath
NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NFVCB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
The Weekend- WINNER
This is Lagos
Afamefuna
Jagun Jagun
Mai Martaba
A Smile, A wink and a tear
Out of Breath
BEST YOUNG/ PROMISING ACTOR
Michell Lemuya (Nawi)- WINNER
Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
Agape mngomezulu (Orah)
William Dias (Bokwagter)
Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
Ruby Akubueze (She)
Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey (The Weekend)
Ikechukwu Onunaku (This is Lagos)
Lucky Ejim (Orah)
Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)
Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun) – WINNER
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi)- WINNNER
Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings)- WINNER
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet)- WINNER
Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR
LETTERS TO GODDO (Harry Bentil)- WINNER
RISING UP AT NIGHT (Nelson Makengo)
SHE (Seun Richards)
BEST DIRECTOR
Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings)- WINNER
Perivi Katjavivi (Under The Hanging Tree)
Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
Harry Bentil ( Letters To Goddo)
Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
BEST FILM
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend- WINNER
This is Lagos
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
Orah
Letters to Goddo
The Queenstown Kings
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Souleymane Cisse (Mali)
Nacer Khemir (Tunisia)
Haile Gerima (Ethiopia)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Alain Gomis (Senegal/Gabon)
Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe)
Entertainment
Gbemisola Abudu speaks on inspiration behind ‘NBA Meets Art’
Gbemisola Abudu, the vice president of NBA Africa, has spoken about the significance of the ‘NBA Meets Art’ initiative, saying it was designed to celebrate art through the lens of basketball.
The initiative was part of the lineup for Art X Lagos, which took place from October 31 to November 3, 2024, at the Federal Palace Hotel in Victoria Island.
“This year’s collaboration is particularly important because Art X provides a unique opportunity to connect with fans from all backgrounds. The NBA strives to be accessible to everyone—regardless of age or social class,” Abudu, who is also the country head for NBA Nigeria, told journalists in a recent interview.
“The Art X platform allows us to showcase our commitment to Nigerian culture, deepen cultural engagement, and demonstrate how sports can drive social change. Nigeria stands as a cultural leader in Africa, and this collaboration reflects that.”
Abudu elaborated on the evolution of ‘NBA Meets Art,’ noting, “In 2022, we launched the NBA Meets Culture platform, which focuses on five cultural pillars: art, fashion, film, music, and technology. Art was the first pillar we chose to integrate with the NBA brand”.
“This year marks our third edition, featuring a collaboration with a local Nigerian artist, which is very meaningful to us. NBA Meets Art celebrates art through basketball and engages the creative community.”
She emphasized that culture is integral to the NBA’s identity and that seamlessly integrating art into basketball is crucial.
“When collaborating with artists, we seek those who understand the ethos of the NBA and represent Nigeria’s diversity,” she said.
This year’s collaboration features Nigerian artist Williams Chechet’s piece ‘Breaking Barriers,’ which embodies the diverse visions inherent in basketball. Chechet’s mixed-media installation advocates for social change and celebrates cultural diversity.
“Working with him has been incredible. I admire how he interprets basketball, particularly his insights on teamwork,” she praised Chechet.
“His art captures the various elements that contribute to a team’s success, whether in achieving victory or driving social change. Williams, who is from Kaduna, has a genuine connection to basketball, having fallen in love with the game while playing in Zaria.”
On his part, Chechet expressed his enthusiasm for the project, acknowledging its impact.
“I was thrilled to be approached for this collaboration. The NBA is making significant strides, and I’m excited to contribute. ‘Breaking Barriers’ uses basketball’s dynamics—goal-setting, strategy, movement—as a powerful metaphor for the ongoing struggle for social change,” he said.
“It’s an artwork that emphasizes collaboration, mirroring my artistic process where community involvement is key.”
“Basketball is at the heart of the NBA, but we are more than just basketball. This is why we created the platform. In the U.S. and globally, the players’ journey to the locker room is often described as one of the most glamorous walks, akin to a runway. Fashion designers recognize the influence of players on trends, and many players are also avid art collectors.”
Abudu also spoke about the role of players in societal discourse, noting the importance of merging their influence with artistic expression.
“The theme this year, ‘Breaking Barriers,’ showcases basketball as a catalyst for social change. This collaboration is truly remarkable,” she said.
The head of NBA Nigeria also launched the MyNBAMomentNG campaign, inviting fans to share their favorite NBA moments on social media.
“This campaign invites fans to share their favorite NBA moments, creating a collage that embodies our collective experiences. The reaction at last night’s preview was heartening; it shows the power of shared memories,” she said.
Abudu also highlighted the success of the NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator, a tech initiative supporting Nigerian start-ups.
“Earlier this year, we launched the NBA Africa Triple Double Accelerator, aimed at the sports and creative industries. From over 700 applications, we selected 10 finalists, including four Nigerians, who pitched in New York. The top two winners, Festival Coins and Salubata, are also Nigerian,” she said.
“The NBA cannot be viewed in isolation from art, fashion, or music. The influence of our players extends to various fields, making it essential for us to engage with culture in Nigeria. Our mission as the NBA is to inspire and connect people worldwide.”
Entertainment
Quincy Jones, music legend and 28-time Grammy winner, dies at 91
Quincy Delight Jones Jr, the US record and TV producer whose career spanned over 70 years, has died at 91.
Arnold Robinson, Jones’ publicist, disclosed that he died on Sunday night at his home in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles, surrounded by his family.
“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing,” the family said in a statement.
“And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”
Jones worked with a plethora of notable names in the entertainment industry including Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles and Will Smith.
Among his best-known credits was as the producer of Jackson’s historic ‘Thriller’ album. The project sold more than 20 million copies in 1983 alone and is among the best-selling albums of all time
The music composer and songwriter also oversaw the all-star recording of the 1985 charity record ‘We Are The World’.
Jones was born on March 14, 1933, in the South Side of Chicago, Illinois. He became popular in the 1950s as a jazz arranger and conductor before working on pop music and film scores.
In 1968, Jones became the first African American nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song for ‘The Eyes of Love’ from the film ‘Banning’.
In 1971, Jones became the first African American to be the musical director and conductor of the Academy Awards. In 1995, he was the first African American to receive the academy’s Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.
He won 28 Grammy Awards out of 80 nominations and was named one of the most influential jazz musicians of the 20th century by Time magazine.
Entertainment
Actor James Beek reveals cancer battle
James Van Der Beek, the Hollywood star, says he was diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
The 47-year-old, popular for his roles in the TV series ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and the film ‘Varsity Blues’, revealed his diagnosis in an interview with People magazine.
Colorectal cancer (CRC), also known as bowel cancer is the development of cancer from the colon (large intestine) or rectum. Treatment depends on the size, location and how far the cancer has spread
Van Der Beek also expressed “optimism,” saying he is “feeling good”. The actor said he had been prioritising time with his wife Kimberly Van Der Beek, and their six children.
“I have colorectal cancer, I’ve been privately dealing with this diagnosis and have been taking steps to resolve it, with the support of my incredible family,” he said.
“There’s reason for optimism, and I’m feeling good.”
The movie star played Dawson Leery in the US teen drama series from 1998 to 2003. He is also due to appear in a US Fox special called The Real Full Monty, which is based on the 1997 British film and will see a group of male celebrities strip down to raise awareness for cancer awareness and research.
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