‘Anikulapo’, ‘Mami Wata’ win at AMAA 2023

‘Anikulapo’, the historical epic fulm directed by Kunle Afolayan and C.J  Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ were among winners at the 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The awards took place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos. The awards gala celebrated the best of African cinema, with filmmakers from across the globe converging under the same roof.

The ceremony was hosted by Nancy Isime, Rahama Sadau, and Richard Ato Turkson.

‘Anikulapo’ won the Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language while ‘Mami Wata’ won the Campell Precious Arebamen  prize for Best Achievement in Make-Up.

Here is a list of the winners at the 2023 AMAA Awards:

Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film

• Lions – Ethiopia

Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation

• Jabari – Ghana

Best Documentary

• Le Spectre de Boko Haram – Cameroon

Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language

• Anikulapo – Nigeria

Michael Anyiam Osigwe Award for Best Film by an African-Born Director Living Abroad

• KOFA – Jude Idada (Nigeria/Canada)

Best Diaspora Short Film

• Raw Materials – (Jamaica) – directed by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly

Best Diaspora Documentary

• Sound of the Police – (United States) – directed by Stanley Nelson

Best Diaspora Narrative Feature

• Our Father, The Devil – (United States) directed by Ellie Foumbi

Best Achievement in Production Design

• Anikulapo – Nigeria

Best Achievement in Costume Design

• Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal

Winner of the #AMAA2023 award for the Best Achievement in Costume Design pic.twitter.com/iiFOXldrii

— AMAA (@AMAAWARDS) October 29, 2023

Best Achievement in Make-Up

• Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria

Best Achievement in Soundtrack

• Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

• Emmanuel Bassey – Gangs of Lagos – Nigeria

Best Achievement in Sound

• Vianney Aube Sira – Burkina Faso

Best Achievement in Cinematography

• Lilis Soares – Mami Wata – Nigeria

Best Achievement in Editing

• Bertrand Conard – Omen – DRC

Best Achievement in Screenplay

• Moussa Sene Absa, Pierre Magny, Ben Diogay Beye – Xalé – Senegal

National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film

• Mami Wata

Winner of the #AMAA2023 award for the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film pic.twitter.com/Z8Gg9WUYX7

— AMAA (@AMAAWARDS) October 29, 2023

Best Young/Promising Actor

• Maleek Sanni – Gangs of Lagos

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

• Jimmy-Jean Louis – Rise

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

• Rokhaya Niang – Xalé – Senegal

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood – Nigeria

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• Nse Ikpe-Etim – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria

First Debut Feature by a Director

• Baloji – Omen – DRC

Best Director

• Apolline Traoré – Sira

Best Film

• Xalé- Senegal