Funke Akindele battles Genevieve for AfricaMagic awards

The AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards has ignited a ‘war’ between Funke Akindele and Genevieve Nnaji, who have been nominated in the Best Actress Category. The two  Nollywood actresses are among five screen divas slugging it out alongside Bubu Mazibuko, Nolwazi Shange and Ghanaian Jackie Appiah.

While Akindele and Johnson are nominated based on their roles in the films Maami and The Mirror Boy, others are there on the platforms of Man on Ground, Otelo Burning and Perfect Picture.

In the nominations released on Monday, Akindele also features in the Best Actress in a Comedy category with The Return of Jenifa, where she is competing with Lilian Esoro (Clinic Matters) and Mercy Johnson (Dumebi the Dirty Girl).

Film lovers will also be interested in who carries the day in the Best Actor in a Comedy, where Hafiz Oyetoro (House a Part) is competing with Kunle Bamtefa (Glorious Journey), Bovi Ugboma (The Bovi Ugboma Show), Francis Odega (Clinic Matters) and Ikhide Isaac (Wanna Be).

In the Best Movie Director category, Obi Emeloye  (The Mirror Boy) has Akin Omotoso (Man on Ground), Tim Green (Skeem), Sara Blecher (Otelo Burning) and Shirley Frimpong-Manso (Perfect Picture) to beat.

Interestingly, Phone Swap producer, Kunle Afolayan, also has a ‘battle’ with Akindele as both films are nominated in the Best Movie (Comedy) category, alongside Geore Edmund’s Open Fire and others.

With a total of 28 awards in 26 categories, the AMVCA includes six categories where viewers will vote for winners and 18 more technically-focused segments where winners will be selecsted by a judging panel.

 Joining forces with AfricaMagic is Amstel Malta,  from the Nigerian Breweries family.  At the Nominee Event held in Lagos,  the Marketing Manager – Non-alcoholic, Nigerian Breweries Plc, described the partnership as timely.

He said: “Amstel Malta is a brand that inspires individuals to be the best they can at everything. What better opportunity to anchor that value than a gesture that is aimed at giving back to people who have indeed worked very hard in our very own continent.?”

According to Adodo, the AMVCA is a platform for rewarding talent, which aligns with one of Amstel Malta’s core value of rewarding loyal consumers. “We constantly seek new ways Akindele to reward our loyal consumers. The AMVCA will not only reward talents, but also encourage the up-and-coming to strive to excel so they can be recognised and rewarded”, he added.

The Managing Director, M-Net Africa, Biola Alabi, said the partnership with Amstel Malta was commendable.

She also had words of encouragement for artistes that were not nominated. “This is also a medium to reach out to every individual that is part of this industry either directly or otherwise. Do not be disappointed if you do not hear your name in any of the categories, it doesn’t mean your work isn’t recognised or appreciated. Contrary to that, your input is noticed and deeply appreciated,” she said.

PUNCH