The African Movie Accademy Awards (AMAA) for 2011 ended yesterday at the its traditional venue, Yenogoa, Bayelsa State. This year’s event is the seventh and the categories were keenly contested. Though Nigerian film makers failed to impress at the awards this year, the line-up of events must have made an impression on the visitors from all over the world.

The AMAA this year was made to coincide with a week-long tourism drive while the international award which kicked off Sunday, 27th night, was the crowning event. The week was tagged ‘Experience Bayelsa’ week.

Participants came from Africa, America and UK. The awards this year was able to get more African countries involved, thus making it more competitive.

It was a poor outing for Nigeria, as only two movies, Aramotu was able to clinch two awards for best Nigerian film and best costume movie and Inale won the best soundtrack category. The only other Nigerian movie with an Award was actually not a Nollywood movie, but from a US-based Nigerian movie maker.


Congo dominated the awards by winning six awards. Their movie Viva Riva turned out to be the best movie of the year, and also clinched four other awards. Ghanaian and South African movie makers also won four awards a piece. Also winning awards were movies from UK, USA, Kenya and Mozambique.

The governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, expressed appreciation for the large turn-out. In his speech, he reiterated his administration’s commitment to making Bayelsa a tourist destination of repute, and also make the state the permanent home of Nollywood.

The event kicked off on Sunday evening with a red carpet session, while the main event followed promptly. Entertaining those in attendance were top Nigerian music artistes including flutist, Tee-Mac. With him were hip-hop stars, Dr. Sid and Wande Coal. South African Kwaito group, Malaika, also entertained with their songs and choreography.

Described as a Congolese crime thriller film, Viva Riva, written and directed by Djo Tunda Wa Munga and starring Patsha Bay, Manie Malone, Hoji Fortuna, Marlene Longage, Alex Herabo and Diplôme Amekindra, is “an African feature film that merges the pleasures of Nollywood with sleek camerawork, satisfying genre thrills and a rare look inside the very heart of the continent”. Viva Riva, Cameron Bailey notes, is a story set in contemporary Democratic Republic of Congo full of intrigue, music and a surprisingly frank approach to sex.

Shooting in high definition, Munga saturates this African genre film with rich colour and movement. The camera snakes through crowded streets and steamy nightclubs, capturing the tangible atmosphere of DRC today. As the film roves from Azor’s luxury lair, to lush scenes outside the city, to the dens where sin is for sale, Viva Riva offers a portrait of urban Africa too rarely seen on screen. Even more surprising are its scenes of urgent sensuality, as Riva pursues Nora – or perhaps it’s the other way around.

“The main purpose of a filmmaker,” stated Munga, “is to make film where it’s needed.” With Viva Riva , he kick-starts a film industry in DRC.

AMAA Winners

Best short film - Dina - Mozambique

Best documentary - After the mine - Congo

Best long documentary - Kondi et le juedi nationale - Cameroun.

Best diaspora feature - Suicide dolls - USA

Best diaspora documentary- Stubborn as a mule - USA

Best diaspora short film- Precipe - UK

Best film by an African in diaspora- In America - Rahman Oladigbolu - Nigeria

Amaa achievement in sound - Shirley Adams - South Africa

Acheivement in editing- Soul boy - Kenya

Acheivement award in production - Viva Riva - Congo

Best costume - Aramotu - Nigeria

Best Nigerian film – Aramotu - Nigeria

Best child actor - Sobhle Mkhbase - South Africa

Best soundtrack - Inale - Nigeria

Best supporting actor- Hoji Fortuna

Best supporting actress - Marlen Longage - Congo

Best visual effect - A small town called decent - South Africa

Best young actor - Edward Kagutuzi - South Africa

Best actress - Ama Abrebese - Ghana

Best language film - Izulani - South Africa

Best actor - Themba Ndaba - South Africa

Best screen play - Sinking sand - Ghana

Best cinematography - Viva Riva - Congo

Jury special prize - Shirley Adams - South Africa

Best director - Tunda Munga - Congo

Best film - Viva Riva - Congo

gone were the days when Nigerian films dominated the awards. it was becoming boring and predictable.