Over 6,000 wannabee Nollywood stars have so far registered for the 2009 edition of the very popular Amstel Malta Box Office, AMBO. The reality TV programme, sponsored by Amstel Malta, the low sugar malt drink for men and women of class was launched last week with a call for entry from potential Nollywood Stars. This number is expected to increase this week as the call for entry draws to a close this weekend.

Over 12,000 entered for the competition last year. Auditions are expected to begin in Benin and Enugu next week .In Benin, all roads will lead to Excalibur Hotel, Etete Road, GRA, where auditions would take place from 26th to 28th October,2009. Zodiac Hotel, Independence Layout would host the AMBO audition in Enugu on the same days as Benin.

Owerri and Kaduna wannabees will have their turn on the 30th and 31st of this month. The venues are De Legend Hotel, Off Port Harcourt Road and NAF Club for Owerri and Kaduna respectively. The last auditions will be hosted by Lagos at Adebowale House on 4th and 7th November.The winner of AMBO this year is expected to go home with N2.5m, a brand new car and a starring role in a Nollywood blockbuster movie.

The 2nd to 10th placed contestants would also go home with cash prizes. Amstel Malta, a premium malt drink with distinctive attributes for “Healthy lifestyles” is partnering with Nollywood to ensure that the Nigerian movie industry remains healthy and vibrant by helping to search and select talents that will drive the growth of the Nigerian film industry.

The partnership christened Amstel Malta Box Office, which is expected to produce talents that will drive growth of the Nigerian movie industry made its debut in 2005 and has so far produced 4 winners. The winner of first edition of the reality show christened AMBO1was Azizat Sadiq who went on to feature as the lead character in SITANDA, the Amstel Malta Box Office blockbuster movie.

The Second edition was won by O.C Ukeje and his movie was Whitewaters while the third edition was won by Bhaira Mcwizu whose AMBO movie was Cindy’s Notes.

The 2008 edition was won by Wole Ojo and his movie has been shot and would be premiered soon.The Amstel Malta Box Office reality television show will be shown across the nation in November. The reality show will run on national television for three weeks and will be audience participatory as viewers will be involved in the eviction voting process.

According to Mrs.Ngozi Nkwoji, the Brand Manager, Amstel Malta, “the idea is to focus on the Nollywood craze, that is, the desire of the audience not only to share the artistic expressions of the Nollywood Stars, but also to be an active part of that expression. AMBO is thus a Reality Show that gives opportunity to desiring ‘unknowns’ to exhibit and develop their innate acting skills in an interactive and educational setting”.