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Nigeria received 52 nominations on 17 March 2012 in Banjul, Gambia for the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), Africa’s most prestigious awards for filmmakers.
South Africa was a close second with 45 nominations, followed by Ghana with 17, Kenya with 14, Uganda with 5, Tanzania with 3, and Algeria, Cameroon, Guinea, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
There were also nominations for films linked to the Diaspora in America, Canada, France, Germany, Guadalupe, Italy, Jamaica, and the UK.
AMAA received 328 entries from across Africa, up from 220 in 2011. This includes 134 feature films, 88 short films, 57 documentaries and six animations. 43 entries came from Africans in the Diaspora, with the other entries coming from 23 countries across the continent.
South African surfing film Otelo Burning scooped the most nominees (13), followed closely by South African film noir How 2 Steal 2 Million (11) and Nigeria’s Benin-set historical epic Adesuwa (10). Ghana’s civil war film Somewhere in Africa has seven nominations, as does the Nigerian-South African xenophobia-themedcoproduction Man on Ground, whileKenya’s Rugged Priest has six.
Dr. Asantewa Olantunji, director of programming of The Pan African Film Festival, headed this year’s jury, which included June Giavanni, programmer for Planet Africa at The Toronto International Film Festival; Keith Shiri, founder and film curator at the London festival, Africa at The Pictures; Dorothee Wenner, a curator at The Berlin Film Festival; Shaibu Husseini, an actor, dancer and The Nigerian Guardian arts journalist; Steve Ayorinde, editor-in-chiefof The Daily Mirror; Ayoko Babu, executive director of The Pan African Film Festival; Dr. Hyginus Ekwuazi, a film scholar and critic; and directors Berni Goldblat and John Akomfrah, OBE.
Only films produced and released between December 2010 and December 2011 were eligible.
The winners will be announced at a glittering ceremony on 22 April 2012, hosted byHeroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis. For the first time, the awards will be held in Lagos rather than Bayelsa in Nigeria.
“Our theme this year is Africa Rising,” says founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe. “Africa’s economies are consistently growing faster than those of almost any other region of the world and our film industries are following suit. With the success of last year’s AMAA winner, Viva Riva!, all of a sudden there’s this great excitement about the potential of the African film industry, which isclearly demonstrated in this year’s diverse nominees.”
For more information, keep an eye on http://www.ama-awards.com/.
AMAA founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is available to discuss the nominations, the upcoming awards, and the power and potential of African cinema.
The Following are Key Trailers:
AMAA 2012 NOMINATION LIST
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT FILM
Jamaa – Uganda
Look Again – Kenya
Maffe Tiga – Guinea
Braids On Bald Head – Nigeria
Hidden Life – South Africa
Mwansa The Great – Zimbabwe
Chumo – Tanzania
The Young Smoker – Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY
African Election – Nigeria/Germany
Beyond The Deadly Pit – Rwanda
Awa Ogbe: An African Adventure – Algeria
Dear Mandela – South Africa
White& Black; Crime And Colour – Tanzania
The Niger Delta Struggle – Ghana
There Is Nothing Wrong With My Uncle –Nigeria
How Much Is Too Much – Kenya
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA FEATURE
Toussanat Louverture -France
Ghetta Life -Jamaica
High Chicago – Canada
Elza – Guadalupe
Better Must Come – Jamaica
Kinyanrwanda – USA
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
The Education Of Auma Obama – Germany
White Wash – USA
Almendron Mi Corazon – Guadalupe
All Me: The Life And Times Of Winfred Hubert -USA
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA (SHORT FILM)
John Doe – USA
White Sugar In A Black Pot -USA
The Lost One -USA
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ANIMATION
The Legend on Ngog Hills – Kenya
Oba – Nigeria
Climate Change is Real – Kenya
Egu – South Africa
Chomoka - Kenya
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD
Mystery Of Birds – USA/Nigeria
Housemates – UK/Nigeria
Ben Kross – Italy/Nigeria
Paparazzi Eye In The Dark – USA/Nigeria/Ghana
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Somewhere in Africa – Ghana
Phone Swap – Nigeria
Otelo Burning – South Africa
Adesuwa - Nigeria
How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
The Captain Of Nakara - Kenya
Adesuwa – Nigeria
Rugged Priest -Kenya
Somewhere In Africa - Ghana
Queens Desire – Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
Rugged Priest – Kenya
State Research Bureau – Uganda
Adesuwa - Nigeria
Somewhere In Africa – Ghana
Shattered - Kenya
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
Otelo Burning – South Africa
Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria
Adesuwa - Nigeria
How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa
Somewhere In Africa – Ghana
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
Behind The Mask - Nigeria
Somewhere In Africa – Ghana
Adesuwa - Nigeria
State Research Bureau - Uganda
Otelo Burning – South Africa
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
State Of Violence – South Africa
Otelo Burning – South Africa
How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa
Man On Ground - South Africa
Algiers Murder - South Africa
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
1. How To Steal 2 Million - South Africa
2. Otelo Burning – South Africa
3. Rugged Priest – Kenya
4. Masquerades - Ghana
5. Man On Ground –South Africa/Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
1. Algiers Murder – South Africa
2. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria
3. Unwanted Guest – Nigeria
4. How To Steal 2 Million- South Africa
5. Otelo Burning – South Africa
6. Alero’s Symphony - Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
1. Ties That Bind – Ghana
2. Mr & Mrs – Nigeria
3. How To Steal 2 Million – South Africa
4. Otelo Burning –South Africa
5. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria
6. Two Brides And A Baby – Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
1. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria
2. Family On Fire – Nigeria
3. Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria
4. Adesuwa – Nigeria
5. Phone Swap – Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
1. Chumo - Tanzania
2. State Of Violence – South Africa
3. Family On Fire – Nigeria
4. Otelo Burning – South Africa
5. Asoni - Cameroon
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST CHILD ACTOR
1. Rahman Junior Bande (Behind The Mask) - Nigeria
2. Tsepang Mohlomi (Otelo Burning) – South Africa
3. Reginna Danies (Bank Job) – Nigeria
4. Benjamin Abemigisha (Jamaa) – Uganda
5. Racheal Nduhukire (Jamaa) – Uganda
6. Ayinla O. Abdulaheem (ZR-7) – Nigeria
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR
1. Neo Ntatleno (State Of Violence) – South Africa
2. Ivie Okujaye (Alero’s Symphony) – Nigeria
3. Iyobosa Olaye (Adesuwa) – Nigeria
4. Martha Ankomah (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana
5. Thomas Gumede (Otelo Burning) – South Africa
6. Sihle Xaba (Otelo Burning) – South Africa
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
1. Rapulana Seiphemo (How To Steal 2 Million) – South Africa
2. Fana Mokoena (Man On Ground) – South Africa
3. Hafiz Oyetoro (Phone Swap) – Nigeria
4. Okechukwu Uzoesi (Two Brides And A Baby) – Nigeria
5. Godfrey Theobejane (48) – Nigeria
6. Lwanda Jawar (Rugged Priest) – Kenya
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
1. Terry Pheto (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa
2. Ebbe Bassey (Ties That Bind) – Ghana
3. Empress Njamah (Bank Job) – Nigeria
4. Ngozi Ezeonu (Adesuwa) – Nigeria
5. Thelma Okoduwa (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria
6. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Ties That Bind) -Ghana
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
1. Menzi Ngubane (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa
2. Majid Micheal (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana
3. Chet Anekwe (Unwanted Guest) – Nigeria
4. Jafta Mamabolo (Otelo Burning) – South Africa
5. Karabo Lance (48) – Nigeria
6. Wale Ojo (Phone Swap) – Nigeria
7. Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Man On Ground) –Nigeria/South Africa
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
1. Nse Ikpe Etim (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria
2. Yvonne Okoro (Single Six) – Ghana
3. Ama K. Abebrese (Ties That Bind) – Ghana
4. Rita Dominic (Shattered) – Kenya
5. Uche Jombo (Damage) – Nigeria
6. Millicent Makheido (48) – South Africa
7. Kudzai Sevenzo-Nyarai (Playing Warriors) – Zimbabwe
AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTOR
1. Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun (Adesuwa) – Nigeria
2. Leila Djansi (Ties That Bind) – Ghana
3. Bob Nyanja (Rugged Priest) – Kenya
4. Charlie Vundla (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa
5. Khalo Matabane (State Of Violence) – South Africa
6. Akin Omotoso (Man On Ground) – South Africa/Nigeria
7. Sara Bletcher (Otelo Burning) – South Africa
AMAA 2011 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM
1. State Of Violence – South Africa
2. Adesuwa – Nigeria
3. Otelo Burning – South Africa
4. Rugged Priest – Kenya
5. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa
6. Ties That Bind – Ghana
7. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria
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Nigerian immigrants have the highest levels of education in Houston and the nation, surpassing whites and Asians, according to a Census data bolstered by an analysis of 13 annual Houston-area surveys, Leslie Casimir of the Houston Chronicle reports.
David Olowokere, originally from Nigeria and the chairman of Texas Southern University’s department of engineering technologies, told Casimir that holding a master’s degree just wasn’t good enough for his people back home. So he got a doctorate. His wife, Shalewa Olowokere is a civil engineer and hold a master’s degree.
According to a 2006 American Community Survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, 17 percent of all Nigerians in the U.S. hold a master’s degree, 4 percent hold a doctorate and 37 percent have a bachelor’s degree. In comparison, 8 percent of the white population in the U.S. hold a master’s degrees, 1 percent hold a doctorate and 19 percent have a bachelor’s degrees.
The Nigerian numbers are strikingly high, Roderick Harrison told Casimir. He is a demographer at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a Washington D.C. think-thank that specializes in researching black issues.
However, Stephen Klineberg, a Sociologist at Rice University who conducts the annual Houston Area Survey, suspects the percentage of Nigerian immigrants with post-graduate degrees is higher than the Census data shows.
According to the latest Census data there are more than 12,000 Nigerians in Houston. This is a figure sociologists and Nigerian community leaders say is a gross undercount, as they believe the number is closer to 100,000.
Out of all the Nigerian immigrants Kleinberg reached in his random phone surveys in 1994 through 2007—a total of 45 households—40 percent of them told him they had post-graduate degrees.
The reasons Nigerians have more post-graduate degrees than any other racial or ethnic group is largely due to the Nigerian society’s emphasis on mandatory and free education, Casimir reports. After immigrating to the U.S., practical matters of immigrations laws get in the way. The Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 made it easier for Africans to enter the U.S., but mostly as students or highly skilled professionals—not through family sponsorships, Kleinberg said.
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Boko Haram yesterday said they would no longer accept overtures for dialogue with the Federal Government because the botched efforts through Dr. Ibrahim Datti Ahmad confirmed government's lack of sincerity.
A purported spokesman for the group who goes by the nom de guerre Abul Qaqa told journalists in Maiduguri in a teleconference that the collapse of Dr. Ahmad's efforts was a vindication of their long-held belief that government was never sincere in its offer for talks with the sect.
Datti, who is president of the Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria, issued a statement on Saturday, saying he was pulling out of efforts to broker a truce with Boko Haram because of alleged insincerity of the government, citing leakage of the talks.
Yesterday, Abul Qaqa confirmed that Dr. Datti had approached them through freelance journalist Ahmad Salkida, who on Sunday denied being part of any "imaginary" talks with Boko Haram.
Abul Qaqa said the sect, which calls itself Jama'atu Ahlis Sunnati Lidda'awati Wal Jihad, was sceptical of the Datti overtures because of previous disappointments.
"We have said it severally that the Federal Government is deceiving Nigerians and the world and we know that they will never be ready for dialogue," he said.
"Almighty God has told us repeatedly that the unbelievers will never respect the promises they made. As such, henceforth, we would never respect any proposal for dialogue. In fact, we have closed all possible doors of negotiation. We would never listen to any call to lay down our arms."
He added: "The truth is that we have been doubtful on the seriousness and purposeful commitment of the government. It was the Datti group that thought the Federal Government could be trusted. They approached us and said we should give them a chance and we did, unfortunately, they have been disappointed."
Boko Haram has claimed responsibility for wave of deadly attacks in the North, including suicide bombings in Abuja, Jos, Maiduguri, Madalla and Kano.
Its deadliest strike was in Kano on January 20, but security sources claimed that series of top-level arrests has considerably weakened the sect.
Abul Qaqa said yesterday the sect would continue its campaign until it achieves an Islamic state.
"We are calling on all Muslims in this part of the world to accept the clarion call and fight for the restoration of the Caliphate of Usman Danfodio which the white man fought and fragmented.
"The white man killed prominent northern Islamic clerics and emirs and also replaced the white Islamic flag with the Union Jack. We want all our people to come together and restore our lost glory," he said.
There was no immediate comment from the Federal Government over the latest statement by Boko Haram.
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