‘Viva Riva’ sweeps African Movie Academy Awards, Ama K Abebrese wins Best Actress

The 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) held over the weekend almost became a battle for trophies between the two most nominated movies, ‘Sinking Sands’ and ‘Viva Riva’ as representatives and winners from those movies went onto the stage severally to collect a number of AMAA statuettes. DR Congo’s ‘Viva Riva’ stunned the competition by bagging 6 of the awards including Best Film, Best Director and Best Cinematography. ‘Sinking Sands’ followed with three awards including a Best Actress nod for the lead actress, Ama K Abebrese, Best Screenplay and Best Makeup.

Other big winners on the night were ‘Aramatou’ (2) and Izulu Lami (2). ‘Shirley Adams’ also won the AMAA for Best Achievement in Sound and the Jury Special Award. Other winners were Themba Ndaba, Best Actor In Leading Role; Marlene Longage, Best Actress In Supporting Role; Hoji Fortuna, Best Actor In Supporting Role.

The 7^th Annual African Movie Academy Awards was held at the Bayelsa Cultural Centre with the Executive State Governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva and his wife in attendance. The night was also filled with electrifying performances from South African music group, Malaika, and some of Nigeria’s most celebrated musicians including Tee-Mac, Wande Coal, Dr Sid and the Bayelsa Cutural Troupe.

The ceremony was hosted by Nollywood bad boy, Jim Iyke and actress Nse Ikpe-Etim. Also in attendance was American actor Nate Parker, a special guest from Hollywood. He was excited to be ‘back home’ and commented that he was impressed with the growth of African cinema, adding: “If this is Nollywood, then I want to be a part of it”. He also presented the ultimate Award for Best Film to ‘Viva Riva’.

Bellow is the full list of winners:

Best Film
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga (Congo)
Best Director
Viva Riva – Djo Tunda Wa Munga
Best Actress In Leading Role
Ama K Abebrese – Sinking Sands
Best Actor In Leading Role
Themba Ndaba – Hopeville
Best Actress In Supporting Role
Marlene Longage – Viva Riva
Best Actor In Supporting Role
Hoji Fortuna – Viva Riva
Best Young Actor
Edward Kagutuzi – Mirror Boy
Best Child Actor
Sobahle Mkhabase (Thembi), Tschepang Mohlomi (Chili-Bite) And Sibonelo Malinga (Khwezi) – Izulu Lami

Best Film In African Language
Izulu Lami – Madoda Ncayiyana (South Africa)
Best Nigerian Film
Aramotu – Niji Akanni
Best Screenplay
Sinking Sands
Best Editing
Soul Boy
Best Cinematography
Viva Riva
Best Achievement In Sound
Shirley Adams
Best Visual Effects
A Small Town Called Descent
Best Soundtrack
Inale
Best Make Up
Sinking Sands
Best Costume Design
Aramotu
Best Production Design
Viva Riva
Best Film For African Abroad
In America: The Story Of The Soul Sisters – Rahman Oladigbolu (Nigeria/USA)

Best Diaspora Short Film
Precipice – Julius Amedume (UK)
Best Diaspora Documentary
Stuborn As A Mule – Miller Bargeron Jr & Arcelous Deiels (USA)

Best Diaspora Feature
Suicide Dolls – Keith Shaw (USA)
Best Documentary
Kondi Et Le Jeudi Nationale – Ariana Astrid Atodji (Cameroun)

Best Short Documentary
After The Mine – Diendo Hamadi & Dinta Wa Lusula (DRC)

Best Short Film
Dina – Mickey Fonseca (Mozambique)