‘This is our own Oscars’ – Actress, Mercy Aigbe
Nollywood actress spotted in an Ejiro Amos Tafiri design at the AMVCA 2014 went home with the Best Indigenous Language Movie, Komofo.
Congratulations, was this award something you expected?
No, I wasn’t expecting this award. I actually prayed I win. I wasn’t expecting it; so, I am excited. I give glory to God and I thank the organizers for this honour.
Why did you dedicate this award to your husband?
Because my husband has always supported me. He is my hero. He actually told me I would win. Right from the day he saw the nomination, he told me I would win. And for me just being nominated alone makes me feel good.
What would you say to those who didn’t win in your category?
I want to say all the movies in my category are all fantastic jobs.
What does this award mean to you?
It is going to spur me to do great works more and more. We are going on location very soon. We have a movie to be released this year. So, my fans should expect great things from me.
How would you rate the award ceremony?
This is our own Oscars. So, getting it is a great honour.
You look gorgeous, who made your dress?
Ejiro Amos Tafiri.
‘The award is encouraging’- Actress, Rita Dominic
Super star actress, whose movie, The Meeting won the New Era Award has this to say.
“This award is encouraging. It is like a tonic for us to keep working. To complete my movie, The Meeting, I went through challenges. But I thank God this is the result of my labour. We joined this industry when there was no money. We were just passionate about acting and not the money.”
‘I want more awards’- Actor, Desmond Elliot
After many rounds of awards presentation without a Nigerian on stage, Desmond Elliot’s name came up as the winner of Best Supporting Actor in a Drama.
How do you feel to have won the award in your category. It seemed tight?
I feel good and blessed. Other nominees are very good. I thank God. I am grateful to the organizers for the honour. This is just the beginning of great things to come.
Where do we go from here?
The award will make me do more great works. It will encourage me to do more than my best.
Which award do you still cherish to win one day?
The award for the Best Director. I am waiting for that.
‘What this award means to me’ -Ashionye Carl Raccah
Actress and singer, Ashionye Carl Raccah’s movie, Journey to Self won an award.
One of your works, Journey to Self won an award tonight, how does that make you feel?
Fantastic! It feels great. Getting the nomination alone is something. The film got two nominations, one for sound design and best actress. I will say I feel great about that. This is my first time of producing and my work got the desired recognition.
What do you think this award would do for you?
To do more than I was doing. I have already started. The award is like an addition. Once I start something, I put my all into it. The next film that I will produce or do the screen writing will win more awards.
‘It’s an honour to represent my dad’ -Pete Edochie’s son, Yul
Movie great, Pete Edochie won the award for Industry Merit. He got a Hyundai car for that. He wasn’t at the awards but his son, Yul, who is gradually becoming a darling of movie watchers, stood in for him very well.
You got an award on behalf of your father, Peter Edochie?
It is a big honour for me. I think I am blessed to have a father like him who taught me a lot in this profession. He couldn’t make it, so I came to represent him. Yesterday, he was 67, so this car is a birthday gift to him.
How do you take the car to him?
I will get a driver to take it down to him.
What is your impression about the awards itself?
I think it is a very good one, a big one indeed. It’s in a class of its own. It will make a great impact on the industry and the players. The organizations was great. This year’s bigger!
‘It’s a great honour’-Yvonne Okoro
Her movie, Contract won the Best Movie, 2013. Yvonne Okoro, who doubles as film producer and lead actress is counting her blessings.
What role did you play in the movie, Contract that just won an award?
I am the producer and the lead actress.
You seem to carry the role very well, what actually brought about the idea?
I and my sister decided on a movie that would give us freedom to express ourselves. We chose the director, the cast and every other thing and made money at the end of the day.
Did it come out the way you planned it?
Exactly, we are impressed. The movie won four awards this night. It feels good to have witnessed all these.
The winners are
Best Movie 2013
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja
Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract (WINNER)
Michelle Bello – Flower Girl
James Omokwe – Awakening
Best Movie Drama
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja
Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life
Udoka Oyeka & Orode Ryan – Living Funeral
Frank Rajah Arase -The Groom’s Bride (WINNER)
Jumafor Ajogwu & Chris Eneaji – Murder at Prime Suites
Best Movie Comedy
Uche Jombo – Lies Men Tell
Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro & Ken Attoh – Contract
Elvis Chucks – A Wish (WINNER)
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Fighter
Martins Onyebuchi Onyemaobi – The Hero
Best Movie Director
Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja
Tosh Gitonga – Nairobi Half Life
Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract (WINNER)
Udoka Oyeka – Living Funeral
Frank Rajah Arase – Price
Amil Shivji – Shoeshine
Best Actress in a Drama
Stephanie Wilson – Living Funeral
Veronica Waceke – Higher Learning
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Journey to Self (WINNER)
Nkiru Sylvanus – Kiss And The Brides
Ivie Okujaiye -The Volunteers
Best Actor in a Drama
Juma Rajab Rashid – Siri Ya Mtungi
Majid Michel – Somewhere in Africa
Hlomla Dandala – Contract
Majid Michel – House of Gold
Tope Tedela – A Mile From Home (WINNER)
Best Supporting Actress
Valerie Kimani – Higher Learning
Jazymn Batchan – Still Standing
Liz Ameye – Living Funeral
Lance Handabile – Love Games
Tamara Eteimo – Desperate House Girls
Bikiya Graham-Douglas – Flower Girl (WINNER)
Best Supporting Actor
David Mulwa – Higher Learning
Ian Mbugua – House of Lungula
Desmond Elliot – Finding Mercy (WINNER)
Bimbo Manuel – Torn
Chris Attoh – Flower Girl
Best Actress in a Comedy
Funke Akindele – The Fighter
Funke Akindele – The Hero
Funke Akndele – Return of Sheri Koko (WINNER)
Mary Ogbonna – Clinic Matters
Jackie Appiah – Cheaters
Yvonne Okoro – Contract
Best Actor in a Comedy
Hlomla Dandala – Contract
John Okafor – Return of Sheri Koko
Osita Iheme – The Hero (WINNER)
Osita Iheme – The Fighter
Chinedu Ikedieze – The Hero
Best Television Series Comedy/Drama
Grace Kahaki Munthali – Prem Episode 2
Fred Phiri – Love Games Episode 6 (WINNER)
John Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi
Paul Igwe – The Benjamins
Benson Akindeju – Nowhere to be Found
Best Short Film
Vincent Moloi – Berea
Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother Tongue
Amil Shivji – Shoeshine
Walter “Waltbanger” Taylaur -The Wages (WINNER)
Enuma Chigbo – The Deadwood
Best Documentary
Dr Gilbert Chigbo (Narrator) – The Deadwood (WINNER)
Sonia Maingi Tumanka – Goes to School
Peter Murimi Matatu – My Life, My Art
Peter Murimi – Guardians of the Wild
David Campbell – Shamba Shape Up
Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Swahili)
Edwin Maina Kariuki – Nairobi Half Life
Jordan Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi
Ann Hamberger – Nina
Njoki Muhoho – Mama Duka (WINNER)
Musa Venerable Mziba – Vagabond
Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Yoruba)
Afeez Eniola – Arinnakore
Mercy Aigbe Komfo (WINNER)
Abdulrasaq Abdullahi – Edidi
Olatunji Akeem Balogun – Aye Kooto
Olatunji Akeem Balogun – Mufu Olosa Oloko
Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Hausa)
Yasin Auwal, Umar K, Mazugal Wana Gari 1& 2
Hafizu Bello – Bakin Kishi
Abba Muko Yakassai – Habib (WINNER)
Nasir Sa’ad Gwangwazo – Runan Jakara
Mikail I. Bin Hassan – Kurman Gari
Best Online Video
Stacy McDermott & Neville Ossai Jungle Jewel: The Short Film
Mary Kaiyare – Deceit
Stanlee Ohikhuare – Kpian’s Premonition
Dorothy Ghettuba, Oyunga Pala – Next Big Host
Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother Tongue (WINNER)
Best Writer (Drama)
Shirley Frimpong-Manso & Hertey Owusu – Contract (WINNER)
Patrick Yaadar & Andy Boyo – Off The Hook
Akpor Kagho – Living Funeral
Fatima Jabbe – Battered
Pascal Amanfo – Single & Married
Best Writer (Comedy)
Jigi Bello Flower Girl (WINNER)
Jahmal Holland – Still Standing
Ohis Udofia Kuti’s – Career Palace
Patrick Onyeka – The Place
Seun Arowojolu – Squatterz
Best Cinematographer
James Michael Costello – Last Flight to Abuja
Christian Almesberger – Nairobi Half Life (WINNER)
Idhebor Kagho – Living Funeral
Imoh Umoren – Have a Nice Day
Themba Masondo – Taxi Ride
Best Art Director
Barbara Minishi Nairobi Half Life (WINNER)
Ken Attoh & Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract
Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Apples Miniseries Part 1&2
Kyle Quint – Siri Ya Mtungi
Best Sound Editor
Sola Awoponle- Ilari
Obi Emelonye & Luke Corradine – Last Flight to Abuja (WINNER)
Jordan Riber – Siri Ya Mtungi
Carl Raccah – Journey to Self
Maurice Kings – Murder at Prime Suites
Paul Apel – Blue Flames
Best Video Editor
Ben Nugent & Obi Emelonye – Last Flight to Abuja
Austin Faani Ikechukwu – Battle for Wealth
Shirley Frimpong-Manso – Contract (WINNER)
Chucks Madu Success – Oga On Top
Jack Esterhuizen – Love Games Episode 25
Best Lightning Designer
Don Izuchukwu – Brother’s Keeper
Godwin Daniel – Living Funeral
Ifeoluwa Balogun – The Benjamins
Mohammed Zain – Nairobi Half Life (WINNER)
Eric Aghimien – A Mile from Home
Best Costume Designer
Adeola Ramonu Adebola Omo Oba
Doreen Estazia Noni Siri Ya Mtungi
Catherine Kibugi Sumu La Penzi Episode 5
Ruth Ndulu Maingi Lies That Bind Episode 2 Season 2
Chiemela Nwagboso The Kingdom (WINNER)
Best Make-up Artist
Elayne Okaya – Nairobi Half Life (WINNER)
Olabimpe Cole – Lekki Wives
Alex Gakumo – Sumu La Penzi Episode 1 Season 1
Michael Wawuyo – The Felistas Fable
Rehema Samo – Siri Ya Mtungi
Israel Moses – A Wish
Rosemary Obika – Redemption
New Era Award Movie Rita Dominic – The Meeting
Trailblazer Award – Michelle Bello
– FOLUSO SAMUEL and SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN