WITH so much expectation, filmmakers and actors gathered at the nomination party for the 2017 edition of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) which held at Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Wednesday.
Presented by the duo of popular Nigerian actress and TV presenter, Mitchelle Dede, and renowned Kenyan actor, radio presenter and TV host, Fareed Khimani, during a special live broadcast which aired on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, the announcement was greeted with cheers at the red carpet event and cocktail which had the who-is-who in the celebrity arena.
The nomination revealed five Nigerian films; 93 Days by Steve Gukas/Bolanle Austen-Peters/Pemon RamiI/Dotun Olakunrin; 76 by Adonijah Owiriwa / Tonye Princewill; Oloibiri by Rogers Ofime; A Trip To Jamaica by Ayao Makun and The C.E.O. by Kunle Afolayan, contesting the Best Movie (West Africa) category.
These films also occupy most of the top nominations in the general categories such as Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editor, Best Picture Editor, Best Lighting Designer, Best Sound Track/Original Score, Best Make Up Artist (Movie/TV Series) and Best Director.
’76, the historical film on the 1976 military coup in Nigeria was nominated in 14 categories, being the highest among all the films in contention.
In another would-be keenly contested category; Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series), Bimbo Akintola (93 Days) will be contesting with Ivie Okujaye-Egboh (Slow Country), Rita Dominic (7), Adesua Etomi (The Arbitration), Zimkhitha Nyoka ( Vaya), Meg Otanwa (Derailed) and Hannah Ojo (Love is a Prank.)
In the same vein, RMD (Oloibiri) will battle Ramsey Nouah (76), Sambasa Nzeribe (Slow Country), Gregory Ojefua (The Encounter), Olu Jacobs (Oloibiri) and Femi Jacobs for the Best Actor category.
The award is scheduled to hold in March 2017.
Organisers revealed at the event that voting for the AMVCAs opens from midnight on Wednesday, December 14, 2016 and closes on February 24, 2017.
