By Tadeniawo Collins
On Wednesday, December 10, 2014, the full nominees list for the 3rd edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was revealed and that marked the beginning of the game as nominees in the different categories began clamouring for votes from their fans and on different platforms.
In all, there are 27 categories, which cut across different areas of acting, directing, script writing, cinematography, costume and make-up and more.
Leading the nominees with an impressive 12 nods is the psychological thriller, October 1 by Kunle Afolayan. Following closely in the footsteps of Afolayan’s latest effort is critically acclaimed action crime thriller, A Place in the Stars with a total of seven nominations.
Both movies will go head-to-head in the coveted Best Movie (Drama) and Best Movie of 2014 categories while popular Nollywood diva, Rita Dominic, whose co-produced film along with Midlred Okwo, The Meeting, also received a number of nominations.
Rita is in the running for Best Actress in two categories – the Comedy category for her role in The Meeting while her role in Iyore also puts her in the running for Best Actress in a Drama.
O.C Ukeje, one of Nollywood’s finest actors and former AMVCA winner, goes head to head with IK Ogbonna and Mike Ezuruonye in the Best Actor Category.
The battle for the Best Movie award is between Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen’s Invasion 1897, Zeb Ejiro’s Yellow Cassava, Kunle Afolayan’s October 1, Frank Rajah Arase’s Iyore and A Place in the Stars.
Other actors and actress who received nominations in this year’s edition of AMVCA and who will be looking forward to winning include Gideon Okeke, Richard Mofe Damijo, Frank Donga, Mercy Johnson, IK Ogbonna, Ireti Doyle, Wale Ojo, Mike Ezuruonye, OC Ukeje, Ivie Okujaye, Joselyn Dumas, Linda Ejiofor and more.
Winners of the prestigious awards in the major categories in the past two editions include the following…
Movie of The year:
In 2013, at the inaugural edition of the awards, Sara Bletcher’s Overall won the Best Movie (Overall) of the Year award, while Shirley Frimpong-Manso, Yvonne Okoro and Ken Attoh’s Contract clinched the award in the same category in 2014.
Best Actor in a Drama:
O.C Ukeje clinched this award in 2013 for his role in Two Brides and a Baby, while Tope Tedela smiled home with the same award in 2014 for his role in A Mile From Home.
Best Actress in a Drama:
Ghanaian screen goddess, Jackie Appiah won this award at the debut edition of the AMVCAs in 2013 for her role in Perfect Picture. In 2014, Nse Ikpe-Etim won it with her role in Journey to Self.
Best Cinematographer:
Paul Michelson’s Man on Ground won this award in 2013 while Christian Almesberger’s Nairobi Half Life was the winner in 2014.
This year, October 1 by Yinka Edward, A Place in the Stars by John Demps, Harald Beeker and Manuel Lapiere, The Antique by DJ Tee, Verdict by Stanlee Ohikhuare, and Secret Room by Lukman Abdulraman and Simon Peacemaker are in the race for this award.
The 2015 AMVCAs is scheduled to hold on March 7, 2015.
