Africa Movie Academy Awards
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, are presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture. The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMA Awards are widely considered to be Africa's most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa.
History
The first Africa Movie Academy Awards were held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria on 30 May 2005. All other subsequent African Academy Awards before 2012 were held at the same venue, except for the 2008 AMAA Awards which was moved to Abuja, FCT for security reasons. In 2012, the awards ceremony was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos in Lagos State. The 9th and 10th edition saw AMAA returning to Yenagoa, while the 2015 ceremony was held outside Nigeria for the first time.Categories
Current categories
As of 2017, the Africa Movie Academy Awards have 28 merit categories. They include:- Best Short Film: since 2010
- Best Documentary: since 2006
- Best Diaspora Feature: since 2011
- Best Diaspora Documentary: since 2011
- Best Animation: since 2008
- Achievement In Production Design: since 2008
- Achievement In Costume Design: since 2005
- Achievement In Make-Up: since 2005
- Achievement In Soundtrack: since 2005
- Achievement in Visual Effects: since 2005
- Achievement In Sound: since 2005
- Achievement In Cinematography: since 2005
- Achievement In Editing: since 2005
- Best Film by an African Living Abroad:
- Best Comedy Film
- Best Actor in a Leading Role: since 2005
- Best Actress In A Leading Role: since 2005
- Best First Feature Film by a Director
- Best Diaspora Short Film
- Achievement In Screenplay: since 2005
- Best Nigerian Film: since 2007
- Best Film in an African Language: since 2005
- Most Promising Actor: since 2006
- Best Child Actor
- Best Actor In A Supporting Role: since 2005
- Best Actress In A Supporting Role: since 2005
- Best Director: since 2005
- Best Film: since 2005
Discontinued categories
| Last awarded year | Category Name | Last Winner |
| 2006 | Best Soap | Desperate Millionaires |
| 2006 | Best Marketer | A-Z |
| 2006 | Best Original Effects | Day of Atonement |
| 2008 | Most Outstanding Actress Indigenous | Dorris Simeon |
| 2010 | Achievement in Art Direction | The Figurine |
| 2008 | Most Outstanding Actor Indigenous | Ayo Akinwale |
| 2013 | Achievement in Lighting | Moi Zaphira |
Special categories
- Lifetime Achievement Awards
- Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood
- Special Jury Award
- Madiba Africa Vision Awards
- Best Film for Women Empowerment
Jury members
- Berni Goldblat 2007–present
- John Akomfrah
- Steve Ayorinde 2005–2015
- Keith Shiri
- June Givanni
- Hyginus Ekwuazi
- Shaibu Husseini
- Ayoku Babu
- Asantewa Olatunji
- Dorothee Wenner 2005–present
- Charles Burnett 2014–present
- Filippe Savadogo 2014–present
- Amaka Igwe 2005
Awards statistics
Most nominations
By a film
10 and up| Number of nominations | Film | Year and category |
| 14 | Otelo Burning | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Film, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Soundtrack, Achievement in Visual Effects, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Editing, Achievement in Screenplay, Best film in an African Language, Best Child Actor, Best Young/Promising Actor, Best Young/Promising Actor, Best Actor in a leading Role and Best Director. |
| 14 | Across the Niger | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Effects, Heart of Africa, Best Art Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Cinematography and Best Make-Up. |
| 13 | The Cursed Ones | AMAA 2016 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in Supporting Role, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Soundtrack, Best Make-Up, Best Production Design, Best Young/Promising Actor, Best Costume Design, and Best Editing. |
| 13 | Viva Riva! | AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in Supporting Role, Best Actor in Supporting Role, Best Child Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Achievement in Sound, Best Soundtrack, Best Make-Up, Best Production Design and Best Editing. |
| 13 | Of Good Report | AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Young Actor, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in Supporting Role, Best Actor in Supporting Role, Achievement in Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Visual Effects, Achievement in Soundtrack, Best Production Design and Best Editing. |
| 13 | From a Whisper | AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Child Actor, Best Screenplay, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Editing, Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Makeup and Best Original Soundtrack. |
| 13 | Princess Tyra | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Upcoming Actress , Best Upcoming Actress, Best Upcoming Actor, Best Costume, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Make-Up. |
| 12 | Rising Moon | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Upcoming Actor, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Make-Up, Best Costume, Best Editing, Best Original Effects and Best Visual Effects. |
| 12 | iNumber Number | AMAA 2015 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Film in an African Language, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Makeup, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design |
| 12 | Run | AMAA 2015 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Lead Actor, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Sound, Best Makeup, Best Costume Design and Best Production Design, Best Supporting Actress and Best Screenplay |
| 12 | Vaya | AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Film, Best Film in an African language, Best Director, Best Actress in a lead role, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Soundtrack, Best Screenplay, Most promising actor, Best Supporting Actress and Best Supporting Actress. |
| 11 | Timbuktu | AMAA 2015 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Film in an African Language, Best Editing, Best Cinematography, Best Soundtrack, Best Child Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, Best Sound and Best Production Design |
| 11 | Abeni | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Upcoming Artist, Best Performance by a Child, Best Indigenous Film, Best Nigerian Film, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Edit. |
| 11 | The Amazing Grace | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Upcoming Artist, Best Nigerian Film, Best Cinematography, Best Sound, Best Edit, Best Visual Effects, Achievement in Costume and Achievement in Make-up. |
| 11 | I Sing of a Well | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Screenplay, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Costume and Achievement in Make-Up. |
| 11 | How to Steal 2 Million | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Film, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Soundtrack, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Screenplay, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a leading Role and Prize for Best Director. |
| 11 | Elelwani | AMAA 2013 Prize for Achievement In Production Design, Achievement In Costume Design, Achievement In Makeup, Achievement In Visual Effects, Achievement In Cinematography, Achievement In Editing, Achievement In Lightning, Best Film In An African Language, Best Actress In A Leading Role, Best Director and Best Film. |
| 11 | Félicité | AMAA 2017 Prize for Achievement In Production Design, Achievement In Cinematography, Achievement In Editing, Best Film In An African Language, Best Actress In A Leading Role, best supporting actor, Best Director, Best sound, Best soundtrack, best screenplay and Best Film. |
| 10 | Battle of the Souls | AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Most Promising Actor, Best Child Actor, Achievement in Sound, Achievement in Editing, Achievement in Cinematography and Achievement in Visual Effect. |
| 10 | Eye of the Storm | AMAA 2016 Prize for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actor in a Leading Role,Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Costume Design, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Screenplay and Best Sound |
| 10 | The Figurine | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, Best Child Actor, Achievement in Art Direction, Achievement in Cinematography, Achievement in Visual Effect, Best Original Soundtrack, Heart of Africa. |
By a director
Twice and more:| Number of Nominations | Director's name | Category and year |
| 4 | Izu Ojukwu | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Director. |
| 3 | Akin Omotoso | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2016 Prize for Best Director and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Director. |
| 3 | Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Director and AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Director. |
| 3 | Leila Djansi | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Director. |
| 3 | Shirley Frimpong-Manso | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Director & AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Director. |
| 3 | Teco Benson | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Director & AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Director. |
| 2 | Tunde Kelani | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Director and AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Director |
| 2 | Niji Akanni | AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Director. |
| 2 | Kunle Afolayan | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2015 Prize for Best Director. |
| 2 | Sara Blecher | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Director, AMAA 2016 Prize for Best Director. |
By an actress
Twice and more:| Number of nominations | Name of actress | Notes |
| 4 | Jackie Appiah | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Upcoming Actress and AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Genevieve Nnaji | AMAA 2005 Prize for est Actress in a leading Role, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actress in a leading Role and AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Stephanie Okereke | AMAA 2005 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role, AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Uche Jombo | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role, AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. |
| 3 | Yvonne Okoro | AMAA 2011 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role, AMAA 2012 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role and AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role. |
| 3 | Patience Ozokwor | AMAA 2008 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role, AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2014 Prize For Best Actress in a Supporting Role. |
| 3 | Nse Ikpe Etim | AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role, AMAA 2012 Prize For Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2016 Prize For Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Stella Damasus | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role, AMAA 2008 Prize For Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2009 Prize For Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Ireti Doyle | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, AMAA 2008 Prize For Best Actress in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2016 Prize For Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Rita Dominic | AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Actress in a leading Role, AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Lydia Forson | AMAA 2009 Prize for Most Promising Actress, AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 3 | Bimbo Akintola | AMAA 2008 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role, AMAA 2010 Prize For Best Actress In A Lead Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actress in a Lead Role. |
| 2 | Chioma Chukwuka | AMAA 2007 Prize For Best Actress In A Lead Role and AMAA 2014 Prize For Best Actress In A Lead Role |
| 2 | Omotola Jalade Ekeinde | AMAA 2005 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role and AMAA 2012 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role |
| 2 | Omoni Oboli | AMAA 2011 Prize For Best Actress In A Lead Role and AMAA 2016 Prize For Best Actress In A Lead Role |
| 2 | Nadia Buari | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 2 | Ama Abebrese | AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role and AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Actress in a Leading Role. |
| 2 | Yvonne Nelson | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Upcoming Actress and AMAA 2010 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Joke Silva | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Lead Actress and AMAA 2008 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Linda Ejiofor | AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Supporting Actress and AMAA 2016 Prize For Best Actress In A Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Joselyn Dumas | AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Lead Actress and AMAA 2015 Prize For Best Lead Actress. |
By an actor
Twice and more:| Number of nominations | Name of actor | Notes |
| 6 | Majid Michel | AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2012 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 5 | OC Ukeje | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Upcoming Actor, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2016 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role and AMAA 2015 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 3 | Kanayo O. Kanayo | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role and AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role. |
| 3 | Mike Ezuruonye | AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting role, AMAA 2008 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2009 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role. |
| 2 | Osita Iheme | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role and AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Justus Esiri | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actor in a Leading Role. |
| 2 | Desmond Elliot | AMAA 2006 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Ali Nuhu | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Upcoming Artist and AMAA 2013 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 2 | John Dumelo | AMAA 2011 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and AMAA 2010 Prize for Most Promising Actor. |
| 2 | Adjetey Anang | AMAA 2014 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role and AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Olu Jacobs | AMAA 2007 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actor in a Supporting Role. |
| 2 | Ramsey Nouah | AMAA 2010 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role. |
| 2 | Richard Mofe Damijo | AMAA 2005 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role and AMAA 2017 Prize for Best Actor in a Lead Role. |
Most wins
By a film
Five times and more:| Number of awards | Name of film | Notes |
| 6 | Félicité | Best film, best actress, best supporting actor, best editing, best soundtrack and best film in an African language |
| 6 | Viva Riva! | Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in Supporting Role,Best Actor in Supporting Role, Best Cinematography and Best Production Design. |
| 5 | Timbuktu | Best Film, Best Director, Best Child Actor, Best Film in an African Language & Best Editing |
| 5 | The Mayors | Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in Leading Role,Best Actor in Supporting Role, and Best Screenplay. |
| 5 | Rising Moon | Best Picture,Best Director,Best Actor in Supporting Role, Best Editing and Best Visual Effects. |
| 5 | Sitanda | Best Picture,Best Director, Best Upcoming Artist, Best Nigerian Film and Best Original Screenplay. |
| 5 | From a Whisper | Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Achievement in Editing and Best Original Soundtrack. |
| 5 | The Figurine | Best Picture, Best Actor in Supporting Role, AMAA Achievement in Cinematography,AMAA Achievement in Visual Effect and Heart of Africa. |
| 5 | Of Good Report | Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in Leading Role, Most Promising Actor & AMAA Achievement in Screenplay. |
By country
The "Best Film" category has been won by a Nigerian film for a record five times.| Number of awards | Country | Name of film |
| 5 | Nigeria | The Mayors, Rising Moon, Sitanda,The Figurine and Confusion Na Wa |
| 2 | South Africa | How to Steal 2 Million, Of Good Report |
| 1 | Mauritania | Timbuktu |
| 1 | Ghana | Run Baby Run |
| 1 | Kenya | From a Whisper |
| 1 | D.R. Congo | Viva Riva! |
| 1 | Burkina Faso | Eye of the Storm |
| 1 | Senegal | Félicité |
By an actress
By an actor
Other notable records
- Egyptian actor Farouk Al-Fichawi was the first non-Nigerian actor to win an award. He did so for his role in Seventh Heaven
- Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah was the first non-Nigerian actress to win an award.