The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has announced its highly anticipated nominations for the 2024 edition, marking the 20th anniversary of the prestigious event.
Ghana’s upcoming film “Letters To Goddo” has earned an impressive 8 nominations, further solidifying its reputation after being selected for the Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) last month. Directed by Harry Bentil, this thought-provoking film delves into profound questions of faith and humanity, following two university graduates who stumble upon a suitcase full of money, sparking an intense moral dilemma about whether this is a divine gift or a test of character.
The film’s eight nominations highlight its artistic and technical prowess, positioning it as a strong contender for this year’s AMAA. It has secured nods in coveted categories like “Best Film” and “Best Director”, indicating its potential to compete with the continent’s finest films. Bentil’s direction has earned him a nomination for “Best Debut Feature Film by a Director”, a remarkable recognition of his exceptional work.
The cast has also gained recognition for their powerful performances, with Solomon Fixon Owoo nominated for “Best Actor in a Supporting Role”, and Nenesenor Abloso for “Best Actor in a Leading Role”. Both actors are praised for their nuanced and captivating portrayals of complex characters.
In addition to its performances, “Letters To Goddo” has been lauded for its technical achievements. The film’s stunning visuals have earned a nomination for “Achievement in Cinematography”, while it has also secured nods for “Achievement in Screenplay” and “Achievement in Make-Up”.
The nomination announcement, hosted by Vimbai Mutinhiri, sets the stage for the upcoming awards night on November 2, 2024.
Here’s the full list of AMAA 2024 nominations across 26 categories:
EFERE OZAKO AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
The Last Shoe Maker (Uganda)
Seben (Mali)
Dear Future Wife (South Africa)
Isolated (Nigeria)
Jolie (Angola)
Strike A Blow And Die (Malawi)
Don’t Call Me Beautiful (Ghana)
Sins Of A Father (Zimbabwe/USA)
JUBRIL MALAFIA AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
Heavy Crown (Libya)
Counter Punch (Kenya)
Journey of the Legend (Cameroon)
Hadu (Nigeria)
Between Paya and Koulou (Senegal)
Oya (The goddess of gods) (Nigeria)
Set Pieces (Sudan)
BEST DOCUMENTARY
A Quand L’Afrique (Congo Brazzaville)
The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique)
The Return Train (Mali)
Gateway To Dreams (Cameroon)
Rainbow Nation (South Africa)
Dela- The Making of EL-Anatsui (Nigeria)
Donga (Libya)
Rising Up At Night (DRC)
OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
Makula (Uganda)
Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)
Kaka (Nigeria)
Eskhalemi Sikantombella (South Africa)
Unheard (Uganda)
Out of Breath (Nigeria)
MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD
Out Of Breath (Nigeria/UK)
Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
Isolated (Nigeria/UK)
Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK)
Kipkemboi (Nigeria/ Canada)
BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM
The Neigbourhood Alert (USA)
Bottled Up (Jamaica)
The Golden Boy (USA)
BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA)
A Rising Tide (USA)
Colour (USA)
BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE
Outlaw Posse (USA)
Mickey Hardaway (USA)
Love After Holidays (USA)
ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
Orah
The Queenstown kings
The Weekend
Jagun Jagun
Kipkemboi
Makula
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
The Beads
The Weekend
White and Black
Jagun Jagun
The Queenstown Kings
Mai martaba
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
The Weekend
Nawi
Letters to Goddo
Out of Breath
Jagun Jagun
Anjola
White and Black
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Orah
This is Lagos
Mojisola
Red Carpet
ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT
Kipkemboi
Jagun Jagun
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Bokwagter
Out of Breath
ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
A smile, A Wink and a Tear
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Boda Love
Kipkemboi
Boda Love
ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
The Weekend
Nawi
Kipkemboi
Letters to Goddo
This is Lagos
The Queenstown Kings
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Nawi
Kipkemboi
The Beads
Anjola
ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Letter To Goddo
This is Lagos
Boda love
The Queenstown King
Out of Breath
NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NFVCB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Afamefuna
Jagun Jagun
Mai Martaba
A Smile, A wink and a tear
Out of Breath
BEST YOUNG/ PROMISING ACTOR
Michell Lemuya (Nawi)
Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
Agape mngomezulu (Orah)
William Dias (Bokwagter)
Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
Ruby Akubueze (She)
Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)
BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey (The Weekend)
Ikechukwu Onunaku (This is Lagos)
Lucky Ejim (Orah)
Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)
Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)
BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi)
Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)
BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings)
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)
BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet)
Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR
LETTERS TO GODDO (Harry Bentil)
RISING UP AT NIGHT (Nelson Makengo)
SHE (Seun Richards)
BEST DIRECTOR
Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings)
Perivi Katjavivi (Under The Hanging Tree)
Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
Harry Bentil ( Letters To Goddo)
Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
BEST FILM
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
This is Lagos
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
Orah
Letters to Goddo
The Queenstown Kings