Night of stars as AFRIFF ends in grand style
The awards ceremony started with a presentation to notable Nigerian
music video director, Clarence Peters, who the Special jury prize for
his first short film, Hex.
But the Short film award was clinched by Cameroonian filmmaker, Christa Eka Assam, for her latest work entitled Alma.
Assam who said she has been attending the festival in the last three years was full of praise for the jury and organizers of the festival for providing a platform to prove herself. Clarence too, felt good that the jury recognized his effort as a first-time filmmaker to have earned the Special Recognition award. While thanking his cast and crew, he dedicated the award to his mum, Clarion Chukwura, saying, “I want to dedicate this award to my mum because without her I won’t be here today.”
Other films that won awards were “Silent Tears” by Ishaya Bako
(Audience Choice Awards), “Legacy of Rubies” by Ebele Okoye(Best
Animation), “Joy” by Solomon Onita Jr. (Best Student Short Film),
“E18hteam” by Juan Rodriguez-Briso (Best Documentary), Reflections by
Desmond Elliot (Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film) and The
Price of Love (Best Screenplay).
In the individual categories, Raja Amari won Best Director, while
South African actors; Charlie Vundla and Fulu Makhovami won Best Actor
and Best Actress for their roles in Cuckold Ayanda respectively. The
night was also spiced with music performances by Cobhams Asuquo and Timi
Dakolo. While Cobhams performed ‘Cock Crow At Dawn’ originally sang by
Bongos Ikwe, Timi Dakolo started off with Cry, in memory of the late
patron of AFRIFF and Special Adviser on Research and Documentation to
former President Goodluck Jonathan, Oronto Douglas, before performing
Wish Me Well to the delight of audience.
The jurors who also got a loud ovation from the crowd include Pedro
Pimenta, Soheir Abdel Kader, Prof Hyginus Ekwuazi, Teddy Mattera, Dr
Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika, Dapo Oshiyemi, Serge-Armand Kouami Noukoue and
Asha Lovelace. AFRIFF’s 5th edition kicked off last Sunday with the
premiere of Mediterranea by Jonas Carpignano. There were also industry
sessions where practitioners jaw-jawed on the way forward as well as
training sessions for student filmmakers.
The awards night was graced by
the who is who in Nollywood. Leading the stars on the night was
Genevieve Nnaji and Hilda Dokubo. Others were Dakore Egbuson Akande, Ini
Edo, Ugeze.U.Ugeze, Kunle Afolayan, Tope Tedela, Toke Makinwa, Toni
Tones, Rita Dominic, Mildred Okwo, Mahmood Ali-Balogun, Grace Oboba
Edwin-Okon, O. C. Ukeje, Ramsey Nuoah, Igwe Gabosky, Charles Novia, and
Kemi Lala Akindoju among others.
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