The 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards was held on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the prestigious Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.
Filmmakers from around the world gathered at the awards gala to honour and recognise the outstanding achievements in African cinema.
The event served as a platform to celebrate the very best in the industry, bringing together talented individuals from diverse backgrounds under one roof.
Nancy Isime, Rahama Sadau, and Richard Ato Turkson took on the role of hosts at the prestigious awards ceremony.
C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’s film, Mami Wata, emerged as a frontrunner in the nominations, securing an impressive 12 nominations. The film was recognised in various categories, including Best Film in an African Language, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.
Here is a full list of nominees and winners at the AMAA 2023 awards:
Efere Ozaka Award For Best Short Film
Lions (Ethiopia) – Winner
Riel (Namibia)
Enmity Djin (Mauritania)
Jubril Malaifia Award For Best Animation
Lost (Uganda)
Azania Rises (South Africa)
Jabari (Ghana) – Winner
Bashorum Gaa (Nigeria)
Best Documentary
Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern Civilization (Senegal/Canada)
Nightlife in Lasgidi (Nigeria)
Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border (Senegal)
Ifine (Beauty) (Sierra Leone)
Le Spectre de Boko Haram (Cameroon) – Winner
Ousmane Sembene Award For Best Film In An African Language
Pusha Pressa Phanda (South Africa)
Anikulapo (Nigeria) – Winner
The Kitera Chronicle (Uganda)
Four Walls (South Africa)
Mami Wata (Nigeria)
Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award For Best Film By An African-Born Director Living Abroad
Talia’s Journey (Senegal/Belgium) – Christophe Rolin
Golden Stripes (Nigeria/UK) – Peace Osigbe
KOFA (Nigeria/Canada) – Jude Idada – Winner
Best Diaspora Short Film
We Were Meant To (United States) – directed by Tari Wariebi
The Ballad of Olive Morris (United Kingdom) – directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
Fifty-Four Days (United Kingdom) – directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
Raw Materials (Jamaica) – Directed by Sosiessia Nixon – Winner
Best Diaspora Documentary
Sound of the Police (United States) – Directed by Stanley Nelson – Winner
Fantastico Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet (United States) – directed by Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
Black Rio (Brazil) – directed by Fernando Sousa and Gabriel Barbosa
Best Diaspora Narrative Feature
Cheese (Trinidad & Tobago) – directed by Damian Marcano
Our Father, The Devil (United States) – Directed by Ellie Foumbi – Winner
The Pastor and the Revolutionary (Brazil) – directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
Best Achievement in Production Design
Pat Nebo – Anikulapo – Nigeria – Winner
Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
Sira – Burkina Faso
Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa
Best Achievement in Costume Design
Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria
Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal – Winner
Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Make-Up
Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria – Winner
Hakeem Effect and Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
Lila Vander Elst – Omen – DRC
Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Omowunmi Okungbure – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
