By Tadeniawo Collins
The nominees for the 2015 edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was announced in December 2014, and just recently, organizers held a brunch in honour of the nominees at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The glamorous event was well attended by Nollywood stars including Joke Silva, Segun Arinze, Kunle Afolayan, Omoni Oboli, Kemi Lala, Linda Ejiofor, O.C Ukeje, Iretiola Doyle, Toyin Aimakhu and others.
Speaking exclusively to NET during the event, dynamic filmmaker and actor, Kunle Afolayan expressed his joy at being part of the awards in a big way again this year. He also disclosed that it was not all about receiving or winning awards in any nominated category that matters, but the opportunity to network and connect with friends and colleagues across Africa at the event.
Kunle and his latest flick, October 1, have a total of 13 nominations including ‘Best Make-Up Artist’, ‘Best Sound Editing’, ‘New Era Award’, ‘Best Video Editor’, ‘Best Lighting Designer’, ‘Best Costume Designer (Movie/TV)’, ‘Best Drama Writer (Movie/TV)’, ‘Best Cinematographer (Movie/TV)’, ‘Best Art Director (Movie/TV)’, ‘Best Actress in a Drama’, ‘Best Movie (Drama)’, and ‘Best Movie 2014’.
On how he feels about having the highest number of nominations and what he looks forward to at the event proper come March 7, 2015, Kunle said: ‘Well, we’ll come expectant to win as usual. But for me, it’s really not about the awards but more about the event because that’s one of the only times you get to see a lot of your other colleagues from across Africa. It’s a very big event and I always look forward to it. If we win in any category, it will be cool. If not; it’s all good. The nominations are enough satisfaction.
On how he rates the AMVCAs and what the organizers could do to improve it, he said: ‘I think it’s a top class event, and they have everything going for them. They have the television platform to promote whatever it is they’re doing, which is Pan-African and even beyond Africa. This gives them an edge over several other award platforms in Nigeria. I think they have come to stay, and I haven’t seen any major faults in their organization. But then, maybe it’s because I’m not a part of the award’s jury team; I don’t know the technicalities on which the nominees and winners in the categories are decided. I really think that some of the actors in October 1 should have picked up nominations, but it’s their call really.’
