AMAA Renames Animation category "Jubril Malaifa Animation Award" To Honor slain Nigerian Animator Jubril Malaifa.

The Africa Film Academy (AFA), organisers of the annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has announced that it will rename its coveted animation category to honour the young animator Jubril Malaifia who was reportedly murdered by unknown assailants in Jos on Tuesday.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the AFA and AMAA Peace Anyiam-Osigwe said the AFA Board took the decision ahead of the 2018 edition of the the award to honour the award winning animator because of his place as one of Africa’s shining light in the area of creative animations.

"This young man was one of the leading figures when it comes to animations for movies, clips, and short stories. He has been nominated severally for the AMAA and won in 2016 for the first time under the international award platform of the Africa Movie Academy Awards. He was only 24 years old" the AMAA CEO said adding "to this end The Africa film Academy will forever honor you by renaming the best Animation award in your name . It will be called the ‘Jibril Malaifa Award for Best Animation’

Speaking too on the unfortunate demise of the Plateau born animator and product of the premier film school in Nigeria- Nigerian Film Institute, Director of Administration of the AMAA Tony Anih said that it was with rude shock that the AMAA recieved the news of the death of Malafia who according to Anih "was nominated in the animation category in this years award. His entry is titled-Group Foto. Yes, he was that good and consistent with his art. He will forever be remembered by AMAA as one of the young brilliant creative talents in animation to ever come out of Africa. We will continue to hold a candle in your name that will never burn out" Anih said.

Established in 2006, the AMAA is a globally recognised reward system for filmmakers in the continent and the diaspora. It announced the 2018 nominees in August in Lagos. The award proper is scheduled for October 20 in Kigali, Rwanda.

See ticket.ama-awards.com