The Call For Entry For 2020 AMAA Awards

The Call For Entry For 2020 AMAA Awards

PRESS RELEASE

The countdown to the 16th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), the Premier Africa Film Awards® has begun. The Africa Film Academy cordially invites filmmakers to submit their feature, short, animation and documentary works for consideration in nearly 30 film categories of the awards. The deadline for submissions is the 1st of April 2020. Late entry deadline is the 30th of April 2020. Submission forms can be downloaded from the AMA Awards Website.

Nominations will be announced on the 30th of August 2020.

The 16th Edition of the AMAAs will be held on the 25th of October 2020 in Lagos Nigeria and will be televised globally. Only films produced and released between January 2019 and 30th of April 2020 (last day of submission)  may be entered for this celebration of African cinema.

The Africa Movie Academy Awards was founded in 2005. Mostly held annually in Nigeria, the AMAAs is without doubt becoming the most prestigious and glamorous African entertainment industry event of its kind. Evolving from a one day event -- televised live -- to an annually chronicled African event, the AMA Awards is now an established engagement platform for filmmakers, industry professionals and all creative industry stakeholders. The primary aim of the AMA Awards is to facilitate the development and showcase the social relevance of African film and cinema. 

The awards are presented to recognize and honor the excellence of professionals in the African film industry. This includes directors, actors and writers. The AMAAs also serves as a platform that continually  unites the African continent through arts and culture.

Over the years, the award presentation has been attended by numerous international media representatives, Hollywood celebrities, Nigerian politicians, other African politicians, journalists, film industry professionals, and actors and actresses from across Africa.

The 2019 African Movie Academy Awards took place on the 27th of October at the Landmark Events Center in Lagos State, Nigeria. The exciting and glamorous event was hosted by Lala Akindoju and Lorenzo Menakaya.

The ceremony presented the best African actor of the year to Marc Zinga - for his lead role in the Rwandan movie, Mercy of the Jungle while Sola Sobowale won the best actress for her lead role in the Nigerian movie  King of Boys.

Other winners include Jahmil X. Qubeka, who won the Best Director award for Sew the Winter to My Skin. Cynthia Dankwa of BURIAL OF KOJO won for Best Young Promising Actor. Best Diaspora Short movie went to Bail. Award For Best Animation went to Choices. Best Diaspora Documentary went to My Friend Fela

Each completed entry form for 2020 entries must be accompanied by all the supporting materials listed on the submission forms, including a synopsis of the film, the list of credits, marketing stills of the film, filmographies of the directors and producers, submissions can be made on https://filmfreeway.com/festival/africamovieacademyawards-882089  

All films must indicate the year of copyright. The Africa Film Academy will not accept any film that exceeds the 120-minute run as a feature or a short film that is longer than 40 minutes. AMAA awards two major categories of short films and animation. The Academy also awards the category for Best Africa Film in the Diaspora and Best Diaspora Short Film Awards. inclusive of Caribbean Shorts and Caribbean features .In 2020 the Africa Film Academy will introduce  a special category for Asian Foreign language category 

To stay up to date with the latest information regarding the 16th African Movie Academy Awards or for more information on submissions, visit the African Movie Academy Awards Website at http://www.ama-awards.com follow us on our social media handles .

Or

Instagram: @amaawards_ | Twitter: @amaawards | Facebook: African Movie Academy Awards

AMAA Secretariat details and contact

E-MAIL: admin@ama-awards.com, 

oyin@ama-awards.com, 

Elohor@ama-awards.com

Address: 9A Raymond Njoku, Southwest - Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria.

Phone: +234 906 915 2135.

For further information, please contact our liaison offices / AMAA Regional Coordinators

UNESCO seeks African female filmmakers for a residency in Japan (2020)

UNESCO seeks African female filmmakers for a residency in Japan

Français

UNESCO is offering a 2-week film-making residency (29 March to 12 April 2020) for 10 young African women filmmakers from selected countries in Africa. This film and artist-in-residence workshop will allow for the transnational exchange and sharing of artistic experiences between young African and Japanese filmmakers in a productive creative environment. It will provide artistic guidance and put in place a genuine platform for experimental creation and artistic renewal, and foster collaborations between Africa and Japanese artists, provide international exposure to the work of young women artists, and open new opportunities for artistic creation, production and dissemination.

Within the duration of workshop, the participants will complete their short films from shooting to editing. They will collaborate and interact with other participants, discuss technical and artistic issues, sharing with the group the different stages of the editing.

Participants will also be invited to present their in-residency work during the Nara InternatIonal Film Festival (18-22 September 2020), in order to increase networking opportunities, establish solid international ties, and reach out to new audiences.

Ms Naomi Kawase, internationally acclaimed film director and founder of the Nara International Film Festival, will ensure the overall artistic direction of the residency with the support from her team from the Nara film festival. Ms Fatou Kande Senghor, film director and producer from Senegal, will also be coaching and mentoring the participants.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applicants are emerging women filmmakers, with some film or audio-visual experience, a good command of English and aged 21-35 from the following countries. Two applicants will be selected in each country by a joint national/UNESCO committee.

- Burkina Faso

- Kenya

- Nigeria

- Senegal

- South Africa

WHEN, WHERE AND WHAT?

The Film and artist-in-residence will take place between 29 March and 12 April 2020. Participants will live and work in the beautiful village of Tawara (Nara, Japan), where Naomi Kawase filmed The Mourning Forest, Grand Prix at the 2007 Cannes Film Festival. The Nara team will provide artistic, technical and logistical assistance. Filming equipment will be put at the disposal of participants.

The residency participants will be invited again to screen and present the work completed at the Nara International Film Festival from 18-22 September 2020. They will participate in public discussions, masterclasses and networking sessions with Japanese film industry professionals.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

- Motivation - Why you are interested in participating in this filmmaking residency in Nara, Japan?

- Relevance - How do you think this filmmaking residency could help develop your capacities in filming?

- Sustainability - How can you use this residency to promote further the role of women in the film sector?

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Call for application (EN)

Brochure (EN)
Application form (EN)

L’UNESCO cherche des jeunes réalisatrices africaines pour une résidence artistique au Japon (2020)

L’UNESCO cherche des jeunes réalisatrices africaines pour une résidence artistique au Japon

English

L’UNESCO propose une résidence cinématographique de deux semaines (29 mars au 12 avril 2020) à 10 jeunes réalisatrices africaines, issues de différents pays sélectionnés en Afrique. Cette résidence artistique cinématographique permettra l’échange et le partage transnational d’expériences artistiques entre jeunes cinéastes africaines et japonaises dans un environnement créatif productif. Elle permettra aux résidentes d’obtenir des conseils artistiques et mettra en place une véritable plateforme de création expérimentale et de renouvellement artistique. Elle encouragera les collaborations entre artistes africaines et japonaises, permettra aux jeunes femmes artistes d’exposer leur travail à l’international, et ouvrira de nouvelles opportunités pour la création, la production et la diffusion artistiques.

Dans le cadre de cet atelier, les participantes réaliseront des courts métrages, du tournage au montage. Elles collaboreront et interagiront avec les autres participantes, discuteront de questions techniques et artistiques, et partageront avec le groupe les différentes étapes du montage. 

Les participantes seront aussi invitées à présenter le résultat de leur travail lors de la résidence au cours du Festival du film de Nara (18-22 septembre 2020), afin d’accroître les opportunités de mise en réseau, d’établir de solides liens internationaux et d’atteindre de nouveaux publics.

Mme Naomi KAWASE, réalisatrice internationalement reconnue, assurera la direction artistique de la résidence avec le soutien de son équipe du Festival du film de Nara. Mme Fatou Kande SENGHOR, réalisatrice et productrice sénégalaise, encadrera également les participantes.

QUI PEUT POSTULER?

Les candidates doivent être des réalisatrices émergentes, avec une expérience cinématographique et audiovisuelle et une bonne maîtrise de l’anglais. Elles doivent aussi être âgées de 21-35 ans et provenir des pays suivants. Un comité national en partenariat avec l’UNESCO sélectionnera deux candidates par pays.

- Burkina Faso

- Kenya

- Nigéria

- Sénégal

- Afrique du Sud

QUAND, OÙ ET QUOI?

Cette résidence artistique cinématographique aura lieu du 29 mars au 12 avril 2020. Les participantes vivront et travailleront dans le magnifique village de Tawara (Nara, Japon), où Naomi Kawase a tourné La Forêt de Mogari, qui a reçu le Grand Prix du Festival de Cannes en 2007. 

L’équipe de Nara fournira une assistance artistique, technique et logistique. Du matériel de tournage sera mis à la disposition des participantes.

Les participantes seront ensuite invitées à présenter au Festival international du film de Nara le travail qu’elles auront réalisé au cours de la résidence, du 18 au 22 septembre 2020. Elles participeront à des discussions publiques, des « master class » et des sessions de mise en réseau avec des professionnels de l’industrie cinématographique japonaise.

CRITÈRES DE SÉLECTION

Les candidates seront évaluées selon les critères suivants :

- Motivation. Pourquoi souhaitez-vous participer à cette résidence cinématographique à Nara, Japon ?

- Pertinence. En quoi pensez-vous que cette résidence pourrait vous aider à développer vos capacités cinématographiques ?

- Durabilité. Comment pouvez-vous utiliser cette résidence pour promouvoir davantage le rôle des femmes dans le secteur du cinéma ?

POUR PLUS DE RENSEIGNEMENTS, CONSULTEZ:

Appel à candidatures (FR)

Formulaire de candidature (FR)

Brochure (EN)

Suicide by Sunlight (2019) a horror film by Nikyatu Jusu on Vimeo

Suicide by Sunlight a horror film by Nikyatu Jusu on Vimeo

Suicide by Sunlight (2019, the 17-minute film is about Valentina, a day-walking black vampire, forced to restrained her blood-lust in order to regain custody of her estranged daughters. She must repress who she is in order to become a normal member of society.

Inspired by the late science-fiction novelist Octavia Butler, Sierra Leonean American filmmaker Nikyatu Jusu is influenced by Sierra Leonean and West African mythology. Her interest in telling the story of a black vampire came from her desire "to explore what it would be like to turned that disenfranchisement upside down and essentially remix the vampire mythology." (Source: Youtube interview Sundance Institute Shorts Competition - U.S. Narrative Shorts Competition at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6GVo6dl5vQ

SUICIDE BY SUNLIGHT from NIKYATU on Vimeo.

Ekwa Msangi: "Farewell Amor" selected at Sundance 2020

Ekwa Msangi: "Farewell Amor"

selected at Sundance 2020

SYNOPSIS

Farewell Amor / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ekwa Msangi, Producers: Huriyyah Muhammad, Sam Bisbee, Josh Penn) — Reunited after a 17 year separation, Walter, an Angolan immigrant, is joined in the U.S. by his wife and teenage daughter. Now absolute strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help overcome the emotional distance between them. 

BIO

Ekwa Msangi has written & directed several shorts, most recently award-winning comedy Soko Sonko (The Market King), recipient of the Ousmane Sembene Short Film Development award, which produced her short film Farewell Meu Amor starring Tony Award nominee Sahr Ngauja, and actress Nana Mensah of the famed series An African City.

Maïmouna Doucouré: « Mignonnes » selected at | sélectionné à Sundance 2020

Maïmouna Doucouré: « Mignonnes »

selected at | sélectionné à

Sundance 2020

SYNOPSIS

English

Eleven-year-old pre-teen Amy discovers in her new elementary school a group of dancers called: “Les Mignonnes”. Fascinated, she begins a sexy dance, the twerk, hoping to join their band and escape a family upheaval.

Français

Amy, 11 ans, rencontre un groupe de danseuses appelé : « Les Mignonnes ». Fascinée, elle s’initie à une danse sensuelle, dans l’espoir d’intégrer leur bande et de fuir un bouleversement familial.

BIO

English

Maïmouna Doucouré won the Global Filmmaking Award at the Sundance Film Festival in 2017 for the screenplay of her first feature Mignonnes, and Maman(s) – claimed the Grand Jury Prize in 2015. 

Français

Maïmouna Doucouré revient à Sundance après un Prix du Jury en 2016 pour son court métrage Maman(s), puis le Global Filmmaking Award, en 2017, pour le scénario de Mignonnes, son premier long métrage.