CJ Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ takes the lead with an impressive 12 nominations. The anticipation for the 19th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is building as the nomination list has been officially unveiled.

Among the standout submissions, CJ Obasi’s ‘Mami Wata’ takes the lead with an impressive 12 nominations. These nominations span various categories, including Best Film in an African Language, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Screenplay, and Best Director.

This honour highlights the remarkable influence that CJ “Fiery” Obasi’s “Mami Wata” has had on the African film industry. The movie has gained praise from critics and now stands as evidence of the director’s skill and commitment to the medium. It is a fantastic accomplishment for CJ Obasi and the entire team behind “Mami Wata”.

Coming in closely behind ‘Mami Wata’ is Kunle Afolayan’s Netflix Original, ‘Anikulapo‘, with nine nominations.

Additionally, Izu Ojukwu’s period drama, ‘4:4:44’, secured eight nominations. These films, alongside ‘Mami Wata,’ promise to be strong contenders at the prestigious AMAA awards ceremony.

The 19th edition of the AMAA, themed “The Renaissance,” is poised to redefine continental honours, setting the foundation for future plans and the grand 20th edition. The awards ceremony is slated to take place on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at The Balmoral event centre, situated within Sheraton Hotels in Ikeja GRA, Lagos.

Below is the comprehensive list of nominations for the 2023 AMAA:

Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film

• Lions – Ethiopia
• Riel – Namibia
• Enmity Djin – Mauritania

Jubril Malaifia Award for Best Animation

• Lost – Uganda
• Azania Rises – South Africa
• Jabari – Ghana
• Bashorun Gaa – Nigeria

Best Documentary

• Africa Cradle of Humanity and Modern Civilization – Senegal/Canada
• Nightlife in Lasgidi – Nigeria
• Maayo Wonaa Keerol – The River Is Not a Border – Senegal
• Ifine (Beauty) – Sierra Leone
• Le Spectre de Boko Haram – Cameroon

Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language

• Pusha Pressa Phanda – South Africa
• Anikulapo – Nigeria
• The Kitera Chronicle – Uganda
• Four Walls – South Africa
• Mami Wata – Nigeria

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

• Talia’s Journey – Christophe Rolin (Senegal/Belgium)
• Golden Stripes – Peace Osigbe (Nigeria/UK)
• KOFA – Jude Idada (Nigeria/Canada)

Best Diaspora Short Film

• We Were Meant To – (United States) – directed by Tari Wariebi
• The Ballad of Olive Morris – (United Kingdom) – directed by Alex Kayode-Kay
• FiWy-Four Days – (United Kingdom) – directed by Cat White and Phoebe Torrance
• Raw Materials – (Jamaica) – directed by Sosiessia Nixon-Kelly

Best Diaspora Documentary

• Sound of the Police – (United States) – directed by Stanley Nelson
• FantasHco Negrito – Have You Lost Your Mind Yet – (United States) – directed by Yvan Iturriaga and Francisco Nuñez
• Black Rio – (Brazil) directed by Fernando Sousa and Gabriel Barbosa

Best Diaspora Narrative Feature

• Chee$e – (Trinidad & Tobago) directed by Damian Marcano
• Our Father, The Devil – (United States) directed by Ellie Foumbi
• The Pastor and the Revolutionary – (Brazil) directed by José Eduardo Belmonte

Best Achievement in Production Design

• Pat Nebo – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Eve Martin – Omen – DRC
• Sira – Burkina Faso
• Antoine Nshimiyimana – Fight Like a Girl – Rwanda
• Chantel Carter – Gereza – South Africa

Best Achievement in Costume Design

• Bunmi Demilola Fashina – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji – Anikulapo – Nigeria
• Millicent Jack – 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four) – Nigeria
• Djibril Drame – Xalé – Senegal
• Elkehoste and Baloji Omen – DRC
• Sidi Ouedraogo Sira – Burkina Faso

Best Achievement in Make-Up

• Campell Precious Arebamen – Mami Wata – Nigeria
• ‘Hakeem Effect and Toyin Bifarin Ogundeji’ for ‘Anikulapo’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Lila Vander Elst’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Our Lady of the Chinese Shop’ (Angola)
• ‘Omowunmi Okungbure’ for ‘Gangs of Lagos’ (Nigeria).

Best Achievement in Soundtrack

• ‘Fight Like a Girl (Rwanda)
• ‘L’Axe Lourd (The Highway)’ (Cameroon)
• ‘Gereza’ (South Africa)
• ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Obinna Arua’ for ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’ (Nigeria).

Best Achievement in Visual Effects

• ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘The Trade’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Emmanuel Bassey’ for ‘Gangs of Lagos’ (Nigeria).

Best Achievement in Sound

• ‘Juliana Oswald’ for ‘Our Lady of the Chinese Shop’ (Angola)
• ‘Vianney Aube Sira’ (Burkina Faso)
• ‘Erik Griekspoor’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Samy Bardet’ for ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Michel Tsagli’ for ‘Xalé’ (Senegal).

Best Achievement in Cinematography

• ‘Lilis Soares’ for ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Joachim Philippe’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Richard Henkels’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl’ (Rwanda)
• ‘Thomas Wilski’ for ‘Talia’s Journey’ (Senegal/Belgium)
• ‘Eduardo Kropotkine’ for ‘Our Lady of the Chinese Shop’ (Angola).

Best Achievement in Editing

• ‘Nathan Delannoy’ for ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Bertrand Conard’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Sylvie Gadner’ for ‘Sira’ (Burkina Faso)
• ‘Layla Swart’ for ‘Gereza
• ‘Madhew Leutwyler’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl.’

Best Achievement in Screenplay

• ‘C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’ for ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Ufuoma MeHHri’ for ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Moussa Sene Absa,’ ‘Pierre Magny,’ ‘Ben Diogay Beye’ for ‘Xalé’ (Senegal)
• ‘Madhew Leutwyler’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl’ (Rwanda).

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

• Mami
• Anikulapo
• 4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)
• Gangs of Lagos
• The Trade
• L.I.F.E.
• Brotherhood

Best Young/Promising Actor

• ‘Maleek Sanni’ for ‘Gangs of Lagos’
• ‘Ewube’ for ‘L’axe Lourd (The Highway)’
• ‘Darisimi Nadi’ for ‘Obara’m’
• ‘Sanou Titiama’ for ‘Le chant des fesits (The Song of the Rifle)’
• ‘Eyiyemi Afolayan’ for ‘Anikulapo’

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

• ‘Francis Onwuchei’ for ‘The Trade’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Jeff Jackson’ for ‘Four Walls’ (South Africa)
• ‘Hakeem Kae-Kazim’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl’ (Rwanda)
• ‘Jimmy-Jean Louis’ for ‘Rise’ (United States).

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

• ‘Uzoamaka Aniunoh’ for ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Rokhaya Niang’ for ‘Xalé’ (Senegal)
• ‘Clarck Natmbwe’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl’ (Rwanda)
• ‘Peter Mensah’ for ‘Rise’ (United States).

Best Actor in a Leading Role

• ‘Richard Mofe Damijo’ for ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Marc Zunga’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Fernando Kamugisha’ for ‘The Fallen Advocate’ (Uganda)
• ‘Tobi Bakre’ for ‘Brotherhood’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Justine Murichii’ for ‘Shimoni’ (Kenya)
• ‘Mike Danon’ for ‘Sira’ (Burkina Faso).

Best Actress in a Leading Role

• ‘Lucie Debay’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Ehle Mbali Mlotshwa’ for ‘4 Walls’ (South Africa)
• ‘Nafissatou Sisse’ for ‘Sira’ (Burkina Faso)
• ‘Adesua Etomi’ for ‘Gangs of Lagos’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Nse Ikpe Etim’ for ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Bimbo Ademoye’ for ‘Anikulapo’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Ama Qamata’ for ‘Fight Like a Girl’ (Rwanda).

First Debut Feature by a Director

• ‘Baloji’ for ‘Omen’ (DRC)
• ‘Ery Claver’ for ‘Our Lady of the Chinese Shop’ (Angola)
• ‘Jean Elliot Ilboudo’ for ‘le Chant des fusils (The Song of the Riffle)’ (Cameroon).

Best Director

• ‘Moussa Sene Absa’ for ‘Xalé’
• ‘C. J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi’ for ‘Mami Wata’
• ‘Baloji’ for ‘Omen’
• ‘Apolline Traore’ for ‘Sira’
• ‘Izu Ojukwu’ for ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’
• ‘Kunle Afolayan’ for ‘Anikulapo’
• ‘Kgosana Monchusi’, ‘Menzi Mzimela’ and ‘Juvaiś Dunn’ for ‘4 Walls’.

Best Film

• ‘Xalé’ (Senegal)
• ‘Mami Wata’ (Nigeria)
• ‘4-4-44 (Four Four Forty-Four)’ (Nigeria)
• ‘Omen’ (DRC), ‘4 Walls’ (South Africa)
• ‘Sira’ (Burkina Faso)
• ‘Anikulapo’ (Nigeria).

For more entertainment news, click here.

Cardi B, the Bronx rapper known for her candid personality, has expressed her love and gratitude for her husband, Offset, on their sixth wedding anniversary. Despite the challenges they’ve encountered along the way, the couple’s marriage is going strong.

To mark this special occasion, Offset surprised Cardi B with a gorgeous floral arrangement that adorned their luxurious home. The entrance was adorned with pink flowers, illuminated by glowing candles leading up the stairs. Cardi B couldn’t resist sharing the breathtaking display with her followers on Instagram.

In a caption accompanying the post, Cardi B expressed her gratitude to Offset, thanking him not only for the beautiful flowers but also for his unwavering support, protection, and dedication as a father to their children. She went on to express her deep affection for him, highlighting her favourite aspects of their relationship.

Cardi B’s caption read,

“Thank you sooo much baby 💕 Thank you for the flowers, the empowerment, the protection and for being a great father to our children… I love so many things about you. I love the fact that I’m with a grown a** man that’s going to provide, protect, and help both of us GROW and can handle my mouth, my attitude, my confidence, my weakness, and all this A**!!😜 MY FAVORITE FAVORITE FAVORITE thing about you is that you study me and always pay attention to what I’m into. From my favorite colors and my favorite brands to MY FAVORITE foods… I love that you pay attention to details like me because it’s always the little things that make me smile or even drive me off the wall 😩Happy anniversary to US”.

The love story of the couple started in 2017, and since then, it has experienced its share of ups and downs. In October of that same year, at Cardi B’s sold-out performance in Philadelphia, Offset proposed to her and gave her an incredible $500,000 teardrop-shaped engagement ring. They later exchanged vows in a quiet ceremony.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cardi B (@iamcardib)

In April 2018, Cardi B revealed she was expecting a kid on Saturday Night Live, and they welcomed their first child, Kulture, in July of that same year. They welcomed Wave, their second child, into the family in 2021. As they celebrate the accomplishment of being a complete family of four, this milestone completes their family.

Check out more entertainment news here.

Burna Boy’s FNB concert which was scheduled to be held on September 23, 2023, has been moved to December 16, the same year due to a series of pending issues.

Grammy award-winning Nigerian artist, Damini Ogulu popularly known as Burna Boy, made the decision to postpone his highly anticipated live concert in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Burna Boy’s management cited incompetence and negligence on the part of the concert promoters as the primary reason for the cancellation. They explained that the promoters failed to meet their contractual, production, financial, and technical obligations, leading to this unfortunate decision. As a result, production vendors had not received payment, and it became clear that the agreed-upon production standards necessary for a venue of this size could not be met.

The management expressed deep regret over the cancellation and issued an apology to all the fans who were eagerly anticipating the event. They also assured ticket holders that refunds would be provided. Stating:

“Sadly, it is with great regret that we must inform you that despite my team’s effort, the show on September 23rd in Johannesburg will be cancelled over the inability of the promoters to fulfil their contractual, production, financial, and technical obligations. Production vendors have still not been paid, and as such, it is evident at this point that the agreed production standard needed for this venue size can’t be achieved. Deepest apologies to all fans; all ticketing companies must ensure it is fully refunded. Looking forward to seeing you all soon”.

Burna Boy’s South Africa FNB stadium concert is now cancelled and will no longer hold due to multiple factors, including production and technical issues caused by the promoters, low ticket sales isn’t the reason as circulated online and every ticket buyer will be refunded in… pic.twitter.com/BbBqcyvmz2

— benny. (@benny7gg) September 19, 2023

It’s worth noting that there have been allegations of fraud surrounding the cancellation, although these allegations have not been proven at the time of this report.

Additionally, sources suggest that ticket sales were significantly below expectations, with barely 1,500 tickets sold for a stadium with a capacity of 90,000. Some attribute the poor sales to the ticket prices, which were set at R765 (approximately 32,000 Nigerian naira).

Following these events, social media was swamped with opinions and conversations over the concert’s cancellation. Regarding the causes of the event’s cancellation due to insufficient attendance, several people have expressed their thoughts and opinions.

🚨🏟️🇿🇦

Burna Boy’s highly anticipated FNB stadium concert in South Africa is now scheduled to hold on the 16th of December, 2023

The concert was postponed due to South Africa’s heritage weekend celebrations and delay in stage production

All already purchased tickets are… pic.twitter.com/kFOtLkpa34

— BURNA BOY STATS (@BurnaBoyStats) September 19, 2023

Nevertheless, a new date has been set for Burna Boy‘s concert in South Africa’s FNB Stadium: December 16, 2023. Due to delays in stage production planning and South Africa’s heritage weekend celebrations, the concert was postponed. With the concert’s new schedule, South Africa’s heritage weekend celebrations will not conflict with it, allowing concertgoers to fully enjoy both the concert and the cultural events.

Check more updates here.