AMAA 2015 set to holds in June as over 60 countries submit entry

In its 11^th edition the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), prides itself as the most prestigious and respected continental and transcontinental motion picture Awards in Africa with over 800 films already received for the 2015 edition.

The films came from over 60 countries of the world mostly within Africa, South America, United States and North America.

This year AMAA received a good number of entries from what could be considered new territories for AMAA from such countries as Cuba, Brazil, Trinidad & Tobago and Jamaica reveals Mr. Shaibu Hussein, a film critic and the Chairman College of Screeners.

“The enthusiasm and interest of Filmmakers from South America, Francophone countries and North Africa are increasing by the day with the amount of films submitted for the awards from the countries in these regions. We are quite excited about this development,’’ said Mr. Hussein

Already the pre-selection screening has started-the stage where the entries are screened in line with entry rules before the films that comply with the entry requirements are sent to College of Screeners where the real job of adjudication starts.

AMAA 2015 will hold in June at a date to be announced while the Nomination Gala night will hold in May before the inauguration of the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari on May 29th, 2015.

The Chairman of the Jury for this year awards is Mr. Keith Shiri, a Zimbabwean, film festival organizer and programmer. Two distinguished motion picture practitioners of international repute, Mr. Charles Burnett, an American and Mr. Filippe Savadogo, a former Minister of Culture, Tourism and Communications in Burkina Faso recently joined the current body of Jurors.

The current Jury members include Mr. Ayuko Babu, Director Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles, John Akomfrah (OBE), a Ghanaian-British filmmaker Mr. Shaibu Hussein, Nigerian journalist and film critic, Mr. Keith Shiri, a Zimbabwean Film Festival programmer, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, a Nigerian Film academic from University of Ibadan, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, a Nigerian senior journalist and film critic and Mr. Berni Goldblat, a Swedish and Film festival organiser. Others are Ms. Dorothee Wenner, Berlin Film Festival Curator, Ms. June Givanni, London based West Indian Film Festival programmer and Dr. Asantewa Olatunji, Co-Director of Pan-African Film Festival in Los Angeles, United States.