When news emerged that tickets for this year´s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) would be sold, I wasn´t in any way shocked.
Apart from the fact that there is recession drifting all around the country, the absence of the usual AMVCA buzz ensured I took the news with no more than a shrug of the shoulders.
I mean, this is supposed to be the film awards that brought with it a breath of fresh air; something in sharp contrast from the annual farce presented by the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) and the let-us-gather-at-a-location-to-fool-ourselves-awards also known as Best of Nollywood Awards (BON).
Recession hits AMVCA 2017: No hotel for nominees
Something seemed to be off right from the night of nominees announcement on December 14 last year. And I do not think it is only down to the economic situation of the country. Nah.
If you have followed my commentaries on the AMVCA in the last couple of years, you would know that I am a huge fan of the event. While I remain extremely doubtful whether it is a good idea to make an award of that magnitude a voted-for one, I have never hidden my praise for how the ceremony itself, as well as the build up, is conjured together.
But I must confess, I´m not looking forward to attending this year´s event.
The date of the event was not announced until less than a week ago. I mean, who announces an event of that magnitude barely two weeks before it is scheduled to take place?
Who are our hosts for the night again? Have they named them? If they have, I honestly cannot remember. And that says a lot! Add to that the various unforgivable nomination snubs.
READ: Now that we’re paying N100,000, here’s what we must see at this year’s AMVCA
We all seem to know how much the Headies show is committed to disappointing us each year, but at least the organisers still do their best to get us excited before the event.
If I was part of those targeted to pay one hundred thousand naira for a VIP ticket, going by the whole stillness in the pre-AMVCA 2017 air, I´m unlikely to open my wallet with glee. I´m not sure I will even, for free, want to witness AY Makun win a best writer category.
Not in the least.
This post first appeared on TNS.