By BENJAMIN NJOKU

The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards, AMAA, was indeed a night to remember, as African cinema’s finest gathered at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja GRA, Lagos, for the awards show.

The evening was a testament to AMAA’s impact on the continent’s film industry over the past two decades. The awards show reinvented itself, creating an atmosphere of ambiance and tranquility like never before.

To many, the night was a reunion of stars and consolidation of the achievements of AMAA in the past 20 years, while to others, it was a night of celebration of the ‘best of the best’ in African cinema.

For the past 20 years, AMAA has impacted positively on African cinema as a reward organization and last Saturday’s outing was no less of a feast. The stars came out in a blaze of glory to savour the moment, while it lasted. From the long green carpet down to the fully packed Balmoral Convention Centre, this year’s AMAA was nothing short of a recreation of class and posh.

Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah on the red-carpet

On the green carpet, stars took turns to showcase their latest wardrobe acquisitions. But one star that stood out on the green carpet was Ghanaian actress, Jackie Appiah, who stunned everyone in her open-chest cocktail dress, revealing some flesh. The baby-face actress turned heads ceaselessly, complimenting her looks with her infectious smile.

It was not a surprise that she won the Best Actress in a Leading Role award for her stellar performance in the movie, “Red Carpet’ given her gorgeous look on the night. On her win, Jackie acknowledged her hard work, describing her journey as “incredible..”I am truly grateful and humbled to have received the Best Actress in a Leading Role award at the 2024 AMAAs. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell such meaningful stories,” the actress wrote on Instagram.

Rita Dominic makes a big comeback on the red carpet

Like Jackie Appiah, star actress Rita Dominic was equally awesome in her dazzling outfit. Dominic, who has been missing on AMAA red carpet for a long time, made a big comeback on the red-carpet in an eye-popping dress. She eventually mounted the stage to present the Best Actress award to her Ghanaian colleague, Jackie Appiah. It was a big outing for Rita Dominic and the expression was loud in her face.

The night was enlivened by the jokes of actor Segun Arinze and Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas, who co-hosted the evening which featured performances from legendary Afrobeat musician Femi Kuti and Yinka Davies. The night was also filled with a vibrant line-up of pan-African artists, including Narh Tettey, Bedwei Kwaku, and Adina Thembi. Nobert Young and his wife, Gloria Young also got everyone reeling with laughter, while presenting an award on stage.

Big winners on the night

A distinguished jury, led by filmmaker and curator Dorothee Wenner, reviewed the nominated films, recognising exceptional talent and storytelling in African cinema.

One of the evening’s biggest winners was the Nigerian-directed drama “The Weekend,” which took home the “Best Film Award” for both Nigeria and Africa. Nigerian filmmaker Femi Adebayo also received the “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” award for his performance in the historical thriller “Jagun Jagun.” The film, which earned seven nominations, also won awards for Achievement in Visual Effects and Make-up.

Elsie Abang won “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” for her performance in “KIPKEMBOI,” while Michell Lemuya was named “Best Young Promising Actor” for NAWI.

AMAA’s CEO, Dr Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, reiterated the need for African creatives to remain united while leveraging on platforms like AMAA as a springboard to global fame. He promised that the family would continue with the legacies of the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who impacted the African film industry and filmmakers before her passing away.

Nollywood greats alongside top stakeholders in the industry and administrators came out in their numbers not only to play but also, to show support for the sustenance of the legacy of the AMAA founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, who passed on in January 2023.

From Zeb Ejior to Fred Amata, Francis Onwochei, Kunle Afolayan, Bimbo Manuel, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Charles Inojie, Tony Akposeri, Segun Arinze, Paul Obazele, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Ibinabo Fiberesima, Aki and Pawpaw among others, this year’s awards show was indeed ‘a night of nights in the African film sector.’

The event also had in attendance Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musawa, who presented the award for Best Film a category endowed by NFVCB alongside the DG of the Board, Dr. Shaibu Husseini. For anything, AMAA’s legacy continues to shine, honouring exceptional talent and storytelling in African cinema. The night was a reunion of stars, celebrating 20 years of the film awards show’s impact on the industry.