Organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Award have received boost from Egypt following revelations that the Northern Africa country will be sending a 20-man delegation to this year’s ceremony.
Built over the decades, Egypt has one of the most sophisticated film industries in the continent but rarely screens around the sub-Saharan Africa, except during festivals.
The presence of Egyptian industry players is a boost to Africa’s nascent cinema that has been struggling to connect with audiences against a strong presence of films from the US and India.
The interaction could give birth to new possibilities, especially around co-productions and distributions around the continent.
Interactive session
Traditionally held in April, this year’s AMAA is slated for next month because of Nigeria’s April polls. A nomination night and concert in Nairobi, Kenya on February 25 and 26 will precede the awards night.
Speaking during an interactive session, the chief executive officer of AMAA, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, said that Egypt’s participation will strengthen the relationship between Nigerian filmmakers and their counterparts in North Africa.
On the judging of entries, Anyiam-Osigwe disclosed that organisers “put a lot of effort to make the AMAA one of the most transparent” out there.
The filmmaker who equated the AMAA to the BAFTAS and Oscars in the UK and US, however, decried the apathy of corporate Nigeria to the awards.
