The Africa Film Academy, the organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, has unveiled plans and activities ahead of the 20th edition.
In a recent statement by the media and communications arm of AMAA, the plans and activities signify the kick off to the journey of another AMAA year.
According to the statement, Dr. Shaibu Husseni, the current DG of the Nigeria Film and Video Censor Board, returns as the head of AMAA’s College of Screeners for the 20th edition.
According to Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, the Designated Chair/Ceo of the AFA board, the decision to unveil the plans and activities ahead of the 20th edition of the continental film awards was deliberate and a move to ensure the involvement of as many film practitioners in Africa and diaspora as possible.
The organisers also announced a call for entry ahead of the 2024 edition of the AMAAs.
The early call for entry, Anyiam-Osigwe said, is to enable more film practitioners across Africa and the diaspora to submit and participate in the 20th edition.
Anyiam-Osigwe said, “This is an avenue to officially end the 19th edition of the AMAAs under the supervision of the Africa Film Academy and begin the journey to AMAA 2024, the 20th Edition of the AMAA and which will serve as a testimony to African Creativity as we celebrate and Toast not just the Founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe of Blessed memory and her contribution in placing African film and film makers on the Global stage but also 20 years of AMAA which show cases the finest in African Film and Cinematography and has brought the World to appreciate African Film and Film makers and Taken African Film and Film makers to the World. AMAA is currently calling for entries in all categories, and this will last till April 2024.”
Continuing, Anyiam-Osigwe said, “We are now accepting submissions for the 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards. The Africa Film Academy invites filmmakers to submit their feature, film shorts, animation, and documentary work for consideration in nearly 30 film categories of the awards.”
Anyiam-Osigwe further reiterated that AMAA is a Merit based system.
One of the reasons for creating AMAA is to provide and create a networking platform and avenue for African filmmakers and practitioners to interact while getting rewarded for their creativity, uniqueness, authenticity, and professionalism We are not a popularity contest, we are a professional contest that rewards professionalism across Africa and Diaspora based on Merit and best practice, hence, why AMAA has two faces to it, which is the critical look and judgement of professionalism and the glamorous part. AMAA’s Leadership continues to hold dear the critical arm working behind the scene whilst AMAA’s Management which incorporates the technical, Creative and Artistic Team handles the glamorous part, which is the look and feel of the awards ceremony.
Anyiam-Osigwe further said that the 20th edition of AMAA is going to be loud with the celebration of life and the successes of the continental awards ceremony. He further reiterated that the Lagos State is the Host State and Mr Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu will return as the host for the 20th edition of the AMAAs while other activities would include human capacity development by the AFA, jury’s session, nomination unveil.
“For AMAA, our announcement of the line up of activities for this year’s 20th edition AMAA 2024 is a deliberate action from our end. We will be having various activities lined up for the 20th edition. As we all know, the awards ceremony will be held in Lagos under the supervision of Mr. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. For the AMAA proper, we will be having a lot that will encompass music, film, fashion, and arts. So I can tell you it’s a tightly packed year for us at AMAA, and we can’t do it all alone without the support of the media,” said Anyiam-Osigwe.
Husseini, who spoke on behalf of AMAA’s Jury and College of Screeners, said, “We look forward to getting great films from African film practitioners. We look forward to submissions in AMAA categories, which include feature films, animations, documentaries, and more. I would like to reiterate that the country of film is different from the origin of film. We don’t encourage films that don’t have Africans or filmmakers of African descent. Films can be uploaded on the film freeway.”
