Entertainment
Nollywood Films Shine At The 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards [Full List]
The 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) celebrated African cinema’s finest on Saturday, November 2, 2024, in a grand ceremony held at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos.
Marking its 20th anniversary, the prestigious event, hosted by Nollywood veteran Segun Arinze and Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas, awarded standout films and talent across the continent.
READ MORE: New Tax Reforms Will Benefit All Regions Equally – Tinubu
The AMAA, founded in 2005, continues its mission to spotlight African film, honoring both veteran and emerging filmmakers.
Among the evening’s biggest winners were the Nollywood films Jagun Jagun and The Weekend, both securing multiple awards.
Daniel Oriahi’s The Weekend was a significant highlight, taking home the coveted Best Film award alongside honors for Achievement in Cinematography and Best Screenplay.
Starring industry heavyweights like Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and Gloria Anozie, the film drew accolades for its powerful storytelling and compelling visuals.
Jagun Jagun, a gripping Yoruba action film directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo, also made an impressive impact.
Here’s a full list of winners from the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA):
BEST FILM
The Weekend — WINNER
Under The Hanging Tree
This is Lagos
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
Orah
Letters to Goddo
The Queenstown Kings
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Weekend — WINNER
Nawi
Kipkemboi
Letters to Goddo
This is Lagos
The Queenstown Kings
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun) — WINNER
Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
Keppy Ekpeyong-Bassey (The Weekend)
Ikechukwu Onunaku (This is Lagos)
Lucky Ejim (Orah)
Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
Jagun Jagun — WINNER
The Weekend
Nawi
Letters to Goddo
Out of Breath
Anjola
White and Black
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT
Jagun Jagun — WINNER
Kipkemboi
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Bokwagter
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
The Weekend — WINNER
Under The Hanging Tree
Letter To Goddo
This is Lagos
Boda Love
The Queenstown Kings
Out of Breath
NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NFVCB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
The Weekend — WINNER
This is Lagos
Afamefuna
Jagun Jagun
Mai Martaba
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
Out of Breath
EFERE OZAKO AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
The Last Shoe Maker (Uganda) – WINNER
Seben (Mali)
Dear Future Wife (South Africa)
Isolated (Nigeria)
Joia (Angola)
Strike A Blow And Die (Malawi)
Don’t Call Me Beautiful (Ghana)
Sins Of A Father (Zimbabwe/USA)
JUBRIL MALAFIA AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
Counter Punch (Kenya) – WINNER
Heavy Crown (Libya)
Journey of the Legend (Cameroon)
Hadu (Nigeria)
Between Paya and Koulou (Senegal)
Oya (The goddess of gods) (Nigeria)
Set Pieces (Sudan)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique) – WINNER
A Quand L’Afrique (Congo Brazzaville)
The Return Train (Mali)
Gateway To Dreams (Cameroon)
Rainbow Nation (South Africa)
Dela- The Making of EL-Anatsui (Nigeria)
Donga (Libya)
Rising Up At Night (DRC)
BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM
The Neighbourhood Alert (USA) – WINNER
Bottled Up (Jamaica)
The Golden Boy (USA)
BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
The Wu-Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA) – WINNER
A Rising Tide (USA)
Colour (USA)
BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE
Outlaw Posse (USA) – WINNER
Mickey Hardaway (USA)
Love After Holidays (USA)
MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD
Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK) – WINNER
Out Of Breath (Nigeria/UK)
Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
Isolated (Nigeria/UK)
Kipkemboi (Nigeria/Canada)
OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
The Queenstown Kings (South Africa) – WINNER
Makula (Uganda)
Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
Kaka (Nigeria)
Eskhalemi Sikantombella (South Africa)
Unheard (Uganda)
Out of Breath (Nigeria)
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
Mai Martaba – WINNER
The Beads
The Weekend
White and Black
Jagun Jagun
The Queenstown Kings
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
Boda Love – WINNER
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Orah
Mojisola
Red Carpet
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
The Queenstown Kings — WINNER
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
Boda Love
Kipkemboi
ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Out of Breath — WINNER
Orah
The Queenstown Kings
The Weekend
Jagun Jagun
Kipkemboi
Makula
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Under The Hanging Tree — WINNER
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Nawi
Kipkemboi
The Beads
Anjola
BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR
Michell Lemuya (Nawi) — WINNER
Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
Agape Mngomezulu (Orah)
William Dias (Bokwagter)
Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
Ruby Akubueze (She)
Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi) — WINNER
Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings) — WINNER
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet) — WINNER
Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR
Letters to Goddo (Harry Bentil) — WINNER
Rising Up At Night (Nelson Makengo)
She (Seun Richards)
BEST DIRECTOR
Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings) — WINNER
Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
Perivi Katjavivi (Under The Hanging Tree)
Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
Harry Bentil (Letters To Goddo)
Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Souleymane Cisse (Mali)
Nacer Khemir (Tunisia)
Haile Gerima (Ethiopia)
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Alain Gomis (Senegal/Gabon)
Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe)
Entertainment
Davido Spotted With Burna Boy’s Mother At Tony Elumelu’s All White Party
Nigerian music sensation Davido was recently seen engaging warmly with Bose Ogulu, the mother and manager of Grammy-winning artist Burna Boy, at Tony Elumelu’s exclusive all-white party in Lagos.
The event, hosted by the prominent entrepreneur and philanthropist, gathered a star-studded assembly of celebrities, business leaders, and influencers.
The interaction between Davido and Ogulu drew significant attention, especially considering the previously reported tensions between Davido and Burna Boy.
Their cordial exchange at the event has sparked discussions among fans and observers, suggesting a possible easing of past disagreements.
READ MORE: Davido Announces 2025 Album 5IVE, Drops Single ‘Funds’
The all-white party, known for its elegance and high-profile guest list, featured performances from top Nigerian artists, including Davido and Burna Boy. Their individual performances were among the highlights of the evening, showcasing the unity and vibrancy of the Nigerian music industry.
Tony Elumelu’s gatherings are renowned for bringing together diverse talents and fostering a spirit of collaboration. The presence of both Davido and Burna Boy’s mother at the same event underscores the influential role such occasions play in bridging gaps within the entertainment community.
As videos and images from the event circulate on social media, fans express optimism about the potential reconciliation between the two music giants. Many hope that this encounter signifies a new chapter of collaboration and mutual respect in the Nigerian music scene.
Watch Video here
Entertainment
Tragic Funfair Crush In Ibadan Claims Children’s Lives
Several children lost their lives, and many others were injured in a tragic incident at a funfair in Ibadan, a city in south-west Nigeria.
The event, which was advertised as free entry, attracted a massive crowd, resulting in a crush as attendees struggled to gain access.
Eyewitnesses reported that over 5,000 children gathered at the venue, located at the Islamic High School Basorun. The tragedy unfolded when the main organisers arrived to begin the event. While the exact sequence of events leading to the crush remains unclear, the situation escalated into chaos, leaving scores injured.
READ MORE: Osun’s Mining Reforms Focused On Fairness, Equity – Governor
The Oyo state government confirmed the incident, stating that victims had been rushed to various hospitals across Ibadan for treatment. In a statement, they acknowledged “multiple loss of lives and injuries.” Authorities have urged concerned parents to check local hospitals for their children’s whereabouts.
The devastating event has left the community in shock, with residents mourning the lives lost in what should have been a joyous occasion. Investigations are expected to shed light on how the situation spiraled out of control.
Entertainment
Actor John Dumelo Makes Political Debut, Wins Parliamentary Seat
Ghanaian actor-turned-politician, John Dumelo has secured a victory in the 2024 general elections, winning the parliamentary seat for Ayawaso West Wuogon.
Running on the platform of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dumelo triumphed with 40,561 votes, defeating incumbent Lydia Alhassan of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who garnered 27,377 votes.
Dumelo’s victory follows a narrow loss to Alhassan in the 2020 elections, making this win a significant political milestone.
READ ALSO: Yinka Alaseyori Shines At The Experience 2024 With Soulful Performance
Speaking after his victory, the 40-year-old expressed deep gratitude to his supporters and reflected on the lessons learned from his past defeat.
“The people of Ghana have been calling for change, and they’ve shown that if you don’t perform well or if you’re arrogant, they will vote you out,” Dumelo stated.
“This is a valuable lesson for everyone. It’s not about money; it’s about the development of the people and addressing their needs.”
Dumelo, who began his acting career in 1991 with the film Baby Thief, is well-known for his roles in popular Ghollywood and Nollywood productions such as Away Bus, The Game, Black Men Rock, One Night In Vegas, The King is Mine, and Four Play.
His transition from actor to politician has garnered significant attention, with many hoping he will bring a fresh perspective to parliamentary work.
In his victory speech, Dumelo pledged to work tirelessly over the next four years to address the needs of his constituents and help steer the country in the right direction.