AMVCA: Nollywood reigns as 'Veve' bags Kenya's only award

Emo Rugene stars as Kenzo in crime thriller 'Veve' produced by One Fine Day Films in conjunction with Ginger-Ink Films and the Deutsche Welle Academy. Veve bagged Kenya's only award at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2015. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • The night belonged to Nigerian epic movie, ‘October 1’ set in pre-independence Nigeria which bagged a whopping 10 awards.
  • TV Series ‘Shuga’, which started out as a Kenyan production that launched Lupita Nyongo's career won the Best TV Series Award flooring Buni Tv’s ‘XYZ Show and ‘Rush all under Category. 'Shuga' is now an all-Nigerian affair with an occasional Kenyan guest appearance.
  • This year’s edition saw the largest number of local productions nominated for the prestigious continental awards.

Nollywood stamped its dominance at the Africa Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards 2015 (AMVCA 2015) at an event that sought to recognize achievements in African film and TV.

All but one award went to Nigeria with Kenyan urban thriller Veve bagging the country’s only award in the Best Indigenous Swahili movie during the AMVCA 2015 held in Eko Hotel, Lagos on Saturday.

Veve was the only Kenyan production to have received most nominations with nods in three different categories that of Best Art Director, Best Indigenous Swahili and Best Video Editor.

The movie which is set to debut on Dstv’s Maisha Magic channel in December 2015, has already premiered in cinemas.

NUMEROUS NOMINATIONS

Other local productions came home empty-handed even as Kenyans keenly followed the proceedings beamed live in Nairobi to hundreds of Kenyan media personalities and celebrities converged at the Nigerian Mama Ashanti restaurant along Muthangari Gardens.

This year’s edition saw the largest number of local productions nominated for the prestigious continental awards.

Other Kenyan shows which made the list include XYZ Show and Rush all under Best TV Series Category.  The late Tiona Wangeci of ‘Rush’ had also been nominated in the Best Costume category that was taken by Nigerian Deola Sagoe & Obijie Oru for their role in the movie ‘October1’ .

TV series Mama Duka by Njoki Muhoho and Almasi by Fredrick Odhiambo were also listed under Best Indigenous Swahili category.

Actor Gerald Langiri had been nominated in the Best Actor in Comedy category for his role in Fundamentals movie that premiered last month.

The award in that category went to Femi Jacobs for his role in the comedy The Meeting.

TV Series ‘Shuga’, which started out as a Kenyan production that launched Lupita Nyongo's career won the Best TV Series Award flooring Buni Tv’s ‘XYZ Show and‘Rush all under Category. 'Shuga' is now an all-Nigerian affair with an occasional Kenyan guest appearance.

The night belonged to Nigerian epic movie, ‘October 1’ set in pre-independence Nigeria which bagged a whopping 10 awards.

O.C Ukeje, emerged the viewer’s choice for best actor, a category for which he had received two nods signalling the rise of a new generation of actors; CJ Obasi took home the TrailBlazer of the Year award walking away with a luxurious watch, studded with 200 carats black diamonds.

WINNERS
The night’s winners were chosen by a panel of judges drawn from the African film and Television industry.

Here is the full list of winners;

Best Actor in a Comedy – Femi Jacobs – The Meeting

Best Actress in a Comedy – Rita Dominic – The Meeting

Best Actor in a Drama – OC Ukeje – Confusion Na Wa

Best Actress in a Drama – Kehinde Bankole – October 1

Best Art Director (Movie/ TV) – Pat Nebo – October 1

Best Cinematographer (Movie/ TV) – Stanlee Ohikhuare – Verdict

Best Comedy Writer (Movie/ TV) – Tunde Babalola – The Meeting

Best Costume Designer (Movie/ TV) – Deola Sagoe & Obijie Oru – October 1

Best Documentary – Yvonne Bassey – The Gift of The Nile

Best Drama Writer (Movie/ TV) – Tunde Babalola – October 1

Best Lighting Designer – Lanre Omofaiye – October 1

Best Local Language Hausa – Hafizu Bello & Abubakar Bashir – Bincike

Best Local Language Igbo – Obi Emelonye – Onye Ozi (The Messenger)

Best Local Language Swahili – Sarika Hemi Lakhani – Veve

Best Local Language Yoruba – Fathia Balogun – Iya Alalake

Best Make Up Artist – Sacred Lola Maja – October 1

Best Movie (Comedy) – Mildred Okwo & Rita Dominic – The Meeting

Best Movie (Drama) – Steve Gukas – A Place in The Stars

Best Movie Director – Kunle Afolayan – October 1

Best New Media Online Video – Imoh Umoren – Hard Times

Best Movie of 2014 – Kunle Afolayan – October 1

Best Short Film – Ekene Mekwunye – Oblivious

Best Sound Editing – Kulanen Ikyo – October 1

Best Video Editor – Victoria Akujobi – Reflections

Best Supporting Actress – Linda Ejiofor – The Meeting

Best Supporting Actor – Blossom Chukwujekwu – Knocking on Heavens Door

Best Television Series – Georgia Arnold – Shuga