Entertainment
Nominees For 2023 AMAA Awards Revealed [Full List]
On Thursday, The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) organizers officially revealed the nominees for the 19th edition of this prestigious continental film event.
The upcoming 2023 AMAA Awards will encompass a total of 26 categories, among them the highly anticipated Best Nigerian Film category.
Notable contenders in this category include “Gangs of Lagos,” “Brotherhood,” “Anikulapo,” “Mami Wata,” “4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four),” “L.I.F.E,” and “The Trade.”
See the full list below:
Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film
• Lions – Ethiopia
• Riel – Namibia
• Enmity Djin – Mauritania
Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation
• Lost – Uganda
• Azania Rises – South Africa • Jabari – Ghana
• Bashorum Gaa – Nigeria
Best Documentary
• Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern CivilizaHon – Senegal/Canada
• Nightlife in Lasgidi – Nigeria
• Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River is not a Border –
Senegal
• Ifine (Beauty) – Sierra Leone
• LeSpectre de Boko Haram – Cameron
Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language
• Pusha Pressa Phanda – South Africa •
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
• 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 – Christophe Rolin (Senegal/Belgium)
• Golden Stripes – Peace Osigbe (Nigeria/UK)
• KOFA – Jude Idada (Nigeria/Canada)
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-Kelly
Best Diaspora Documentary
• Sound of the Police – (United States) – directed by Stanley Nelson
• 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
• Chee$e – (Trinidad & Tobago) directed by Damian Marcano
• Our Father, The Devil – (United States) directed by Ellie Foumbi
• The Pastor and the Revolutionary – (Brazil) directed by José Eduardo Belmonte
Best Achievement in Production Design
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa
Best Achievement in Costume Design
• Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria •
Toyin Bifrain Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal
• Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
• Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Achievement in Make-Up
• Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Hakeem Effect – Anikulapo
– Nigeria
• Lila Vander Elst – Omen – DRC
• Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Omowunmi Okungbure – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Soundtrack
• Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• L’Axe Lourd (The Highway) – Cameroon
• Gereza – South Africa
• Omen – DRC
• Obinna Arua – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Visual Effects
• Andrej Gregori, Voranc Kumar, Ziga Radulji -Omen – DRC
• Alexandre Dachkevitch – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Josh Borrill – The Trade – Nigeria
• Emmanuel Bassey – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
Best Achievement in Sound
• Juliana Oswald – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Vianney Aube Sira – Burkina Faso
• Erik Griekspoor – Omen – DRC
• Samy Bardet – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Michel Tsagli – Xalé – Senegal
Best Achievement in Cinematography
• Lilis Soares – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Joachim Philippe – Omen – DRC
• Richard Henkels – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Thomas Wilski – Talia’s Journey – Senegal/Belgium
• Eduardo Kropotkine – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
Best Achievement in Editing
• Nathan Delannoy – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Bertrand Conard – Omen – DRC
• Sylvie Gadner – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Layla Swart – Gereza
• Madhew Leutwyler – DRC
Best Achievement in Screenplay
• C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Ufuoma MeHHri – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) –
Nigeria
• Moussa Sene Absa, Pierre Magny, Ben Diogay Beye – Xalé – Senegal
• Madhew Leutwyler – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVB) Award
for Best Nigerian Film
• Mami Wata
• Anikulapo
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Gangs of Lagos
• The Trade
• L.I.F.E.
• Brotherhood
Best Young/Promising Actor
• Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos
• Jennifer Ewube -L’axe Lourd (The Highway)
• Darisimi Nadi – Obara’m
• Sanou Titiama – Le chant des fusils (The Song of the Rifle)
• Eyiyemi Afolyan – Anikulapo
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Francis Onwuchei – The Trade – Nigeria
• Jeff Jackson – Four Walls – South Africa
• Hakeem Kae-Kazim – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
• Jimmy-Jean Louis -Rise
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Rokhaya Niang – Xalé – Senegal
• Clarck Natmbwe – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
Best Actor in a Leading Role
• Richard Mofe Demalo – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Marc Zinga – Omen – DRC
• Fenando Kamugisha – The Fallen Advocate –Uganda
• Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria
• Justine Murichii – Shimoni – Kenya
• Mike Danon – Sira – Burkina Faso
Best Actress in a Leading Role
• Lucie Debay – Omen – DRC
• Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa – Four Walls – South Africa
• Nafissatou Cissé – Sira – Burkina Faso
• Adesua Etomi – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria
• Nse Ikpe Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Ama Qamata – Fight Like a Girl – DRC
First Debut Feature by a Director
• Baloji – Omen – DRC
• Ery Claver – Our Lady of the Chinese Shop – Angola
• Jean Elliot Ilboudo (le Chant des fusils)The Song of the Riffle – Burkina Faso
Best Director
• Moussa Sene Absa – Xalé
• C. J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi – Mami Wata
• Baloji – Omen
• Apolline Traore – Sira
• Izu Ojukwu – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
• Kgosana Monchusi, Menzi Mzimela, Juvaiś Dunn – Four Walls
Best Film
• Xalé- Senegal
• Mami Wata – Nigeria
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) Nigeria
• Omen – DRC
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
Entertainment
Angela Okorie Reveals Why She Burnt Outfit Worn to Alex Ekubo’s Burial
Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has sparked fresh reactions online after revealing that she burnt the outfit she wore to the burial of late actor Alex Ekubo, following advice from her godmother.
The actress made the disclosure via her Instagram page, where she explained that she was instructed not to keep clothes worn to funeral ceremonies, describing it as a traditional belief passed down through her family.
SEE ALSO: I’m Bigger Than You And Your Career’ – Regina Daniels Drags Angela Okorie
According to her, the advice came from her godmother, who insisted that clothing worn to burials should be discarded or burnt after the event.
Angela said she chose to follow the instruction and decided to publicly share the practice with her followers.
“This is the outfit I wore to Alex’s burial. My Godmother said it is not good to have the cloth you wore to a burial around you; you burn them. So family and friends take note. I felt I should share this information. May the Lord keep and bless us with long life. Amen,” she wrote.
Her revelation has since generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users supporting the traditional belief while others questioned the necessity of burning clothing after funerals.
The actress, known for her outspoken personality and frequent online commentary, has continued to trend over her posts, which often stir public debate.
See video below
https://x.com/i/status/2069056388496576546
Entertainment
Why I Wanted to Become a Reverend Sister — Beverly Osu
Popular Nigerian actress, model, and reality TV star Beverly Osu has opened up about her childhood dream of becoming a Reverend Sister, revealing that she was once deeply drawn to the religious life because of her admiration for the discipline and appearance of Catholic clergy.
Speaking on the Creativtea Podcast, the actress reflected on her upbringing and strong Catholic background, noting that her early years were shaped by faith and religious values.
“I grew up in Lagos, in Surulere, and from Surulere I moved to Yaba, Ojuelegba. I am a Lagos girl,” Beverly said while recounting her childhood experiences.
ALSO SEE: Renowned American Singer, Frankie Beverly Passes Away
The former Big Brother Africa housemate disclosed that she attended Daughters of Divine Love Juniorate in Enugu and seriously considered dedicating her life to the Church.
“I was meant to be a Reverend Sister. I wanted to really be a Reverend Sister. Now, I am doing God’s work in other ways,” she said.
According to Beverly, her fascination with the religious vocation stemmed from the neatness, discipline, and appearance of priests and Reverend Sisters.
“I love how they dress. Because I am meticulous and very neat, I just loved how clean the priests and Reverend Sisters were. Literally, that was it,” she explained.
The actress also addressed the criticism that followed a previous photoshoot in which she dressed as a Reverend Sister, a move that generated widespread reactions on social media.
Beverly maintained that the photoshoot was purely artistic and not intended to offend anyone, stressing that many people misunderstood the concept behind it.
“I grew up in a very Catholic-oriented home. This is not just being Catholic in Africa, far and wide. People just read meaning to it. Nigerians just like to talk. It wasn’t a big deal. It was just arty,” she said.
Responding to claims that she is controversial, the actress insisted that she has never intentionally sought controversy or acted to provoke public reactions.
“I have never meant any harm. I have never done anything with the mindset to be controversial. I just came across the word ‘controversial’. People say I am controversial, but I am just being me,” Beverly added.
Her comments have sparked fresh conversations among fans, with many expressing surprise at her revelation that she once aspired to become a Reverend Sister before finding fame in the entertainment industry.
Entertainment
Why Nigerians Think I’m Wicked — Patience Ozokwor Finally Reveals the Truth
Veteran Nollywood actress Patience Ozokwor has opened up about the public perception that she is wicked in real life, explaining that the belief stems from the villainous roles she has played throughout her successful acting career.
Popularly known as “Mama G,” the 67-year-old actress said many Nigerians often struggle to separate her on-screen characters from her real personality.
SEE MORE: Patience Ozokwor Inspired Me To Stop Indecent Dressing – Mercy Johnson
Speaking during a recent video chat, Ozokwor stressed that the tough and controversial roles she portrays are meant to expose societal problems rather than define who she is as a person.
According to the veteran actress, she deliberately takes on challenging roles that reflect real-life issues, including family conflicts, oppression, and other social vices that many people prefer to ignore.
“I feel bold to expose the ills in society. Those things happen and nobody wants to expose them. I am exposing them,” she said.
Ozokwor noted that while she is often cast as a strict mother, troublesome mother-in-law, or other antagonistic characters, those roles are simply part of her profession as an actress.
The Nollywood icon emphasized that she is nothing like many of the characters she portrays on screen and urged fans to understand the difference between acting and reality.
“I am not like that, but I expose it. I am extremely proud of myself and Mama G lovers are proud of me,” she added.
The actress further explained that storytelling plays an important role in addressing societal issues and encouraging positive change.
She expressed satisfaction that many of her fans appreciate the deeper messages behind her performances rather than judging her based solely on the characters she plays.
Over the years, Patience Ozokwor has built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most respected actresses, earning praise for her powerful performances and ability to bring complex characters to life.





