Funke Akindele, Bukky Ajayi, Stephanie Linus, others win big at AMVCA + full list of winners

Popular actress cum producer, Stephanie Linus (Okereke) and star of Tunde Kelani’s movie, Dazzling Mirage, Kemi Lala Akindoju, emerged as the big winners at this year’s edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards, AMVCA, which held Sunday at Eko hotel, Lagos, with each walking away with a brand new SUV car.

Stephanie Linus

Stephanie’s advocacy movie, “Dry” which is based on a true life story about Zara and Halima who find each other in the same cultural trap regardless of their backgrounds was adjudged the best overall movie in Africa.

The film defeated ” Stigma”‘ by Dagogo Diminias, “The Visit” by Biodun Stephens, “The Refugees” by Frank Rajah Arase, “Silverrain” by Juliet Asante and Stanlee Ohikhuare’s ” Common Man” to clinch the trophy.

She walked away with a brand new SUV car. Also, fast rising actress Kemi Lala Akindoju smiled home with a brand new SUV care too, having won the Trailblazer award.

Other winners of the night include, Adesua Etomi, who won the best actress drama(female) for her role in “Falling”, another new kid on the block, Daniel K Daniel won the Best actor drama(male) for his sterling performance in ‘A Soldiers Story’, Funke Akindele won the Best Actress, Comedy for her role in her movie, “Jenifa’s Diary.”

While Chinny Onwugbenu, Genevieve Nnaji, Chichi Nwoko won Best Movie – West African (Road to Yesterday), the Best Director award went to South African-based Nigerian director, Akin Omotosho for his film ‘Tell me something sweet’.

Veteran actress Bukky Zainab Ajayi was honoured with the Industry Merit Award alongside Sadiq Daba for their contributions towards the growth of the film sector in Africa.

Meanwhile the highpoint of the night was when the veteran actress who was part of the now rested Village Headmaster was wheeled to the stage to receive her award.

The aging actress gave an emotional speech, thanking everyone for appreciating her work and also pleaded with everyone she has offended to forgive her as she too has forgiven everyone who has offended her. It was indeed an emotional moment for her and everyone one in the hall as she received a standing ovation even though she was bound to a wheelchair.

“I wish I could stand up. But if I stand up I will fall down. Are you all standing for me? Thank you. I am very very grateful to you,” she said.

On her own, Stephanie Linus dedicated her award to Ese Oruru, the 14 year- old- girl who was recently freed from her abductor, Yunusa who forced her into early marriage as well as converted her to Islam.

She promised to produce more of such advocacy movie in future. The glamorous event had who is who in the Nigerian movie industry and beyond in attendance.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS

Best Art Director – Frank Rajah (The Refugees)

Best Television Series Award – Ariyike Oladipo (Daddy’s Girls)

Best Makeup Artist in a Movie or Series – Louiza Calore for Ayanda

Best Short Film or Online Video Award – Oluseyi Amuwafo (A Day With Death)

Best Writer for Movie and TV series – Trish Malone (Ayanda)

Best Lighting Designer (Movies/TV) – Stanley Ohikhuare (Common Man)

Best Cinematographer – Paul Michaelson (Tell Me Sweet Something)

Best Sound Editor – Jose Guillermo (Cry)

Best Picture Editor – Shirley Frimpong-Manso (Rebecca)

Best Costume Designer – Uche Nancy (Dry)

Best Local Language Movie/TV Series (Swahili) – Single Mtambalike (Kitendawali)

Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Hausa) – Salisu Balarebe (Dandi Kowa)

Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Yoruba) – Binta Ofege

Best Indigenous Movie/TV Series (Igbo) – Paul Igwe (Usekwu Igbo)

Best Documentary – Remi Vaughan (Faaji Agba)

Best Supporting Actor In A Movie – Sambassa Nzeriba (A Soldier’s Story)

Best Supporting Actress – Tunbosun Aiyedihin (Before 30)

Best Actor In A Comedy – Folarin ‘Falz The Bahd Guy’ Falana (Jenifa’s Diary)

Best Actress In A Comedy – Funke Akindele (Jenifa’s Diary)

Trail Blazer Award – Kemi ‘Lala’ Akindoju

AMVCA 2016 Industry Merit Award – Bukky Ajayi and Sadiq Daba

Best Movie (Southern Africa) – Joyce Chavura – (Lilongwe)

Best Movie (East Africa) – Elizabeth Miachael – (Mapenzi)

Best Movie (West Africa) – Genevieve, Chinny Onwugbenu and Chichi Nwoko – (Road to Yesterday)

Best Actress In A Movie/Drama/TV Series – Adesua Etomi (Falling)

Best Actor In A Movie/Drama/TV Series – Daniel K. Daniel (A Soldier’s Story)

The Best Director – Akin Omotosho (Tell Me Sweet Something)

Best Overall Movie – Stephanie Linus (Dry)