I Will Be Back-Majid Promises AMAA Awards

Majid Michel

'Anytime I am given a platform like this to say something sensible, I never do. But today I'm going to try and say something worthwhile. Great thanks go to God, the crew of the movie, 'Somewhere in Africa', 4reez, Louis. I want to thank them for supporting me to bring that character out. I want to say big thanks to you AMAA awards' were the words of Ghanaian actor Majid Michel after he picked his first African Movie Academy Award in Lagos Nigeria on Sunday April 22 as Africa's overall Best Actor 2012.

'This is my AMAA awards 2012. Today is a memorable day for me. I have been nominated for the past 4 years consecutively. I didn't see it coming. I had a bet with my advisor- Mawuli. He told me I was going to win but I said no I don't deserve it. So if I win I will give him the award, (he gave the statuette to Mawuli who was on stage with him and others), but I will take it later. I want to say big thanks to you my wife, my sister, my mum paid my film fees and to my father, who is late. To all single people here thank you so much for the support. I can see some faces; Nse, Rita, Kate … I don't want to say much. I think the time is ticking. Thank you so much AMAA awards. Great job for me; next year I will be back,' he added after receiving his award from Lynn Whitefield on stage.

He outshined Hollywood superstars Hakeem Kae Kazim and Chet Anekwe, and other contenders such as Wale Ojo from Nigeria and top actors Karado Lance, Jafta Mamabolo and Menzi Ngubane- all from South Africa. It is Majid's first AMAA award after being nominated four times since 2009.

Nollywood's Rita Dominic won Africa's Best Actress In Leading role, beating Yvonne Okoro, Ama K Abebrese, Nse Ikpe Etim and Millicent Makheido. Leila Djansi's ' Ties That Bind' won the Achievement In Screenplay category while ' African Elections' , a documentary on Ghana's election by Jarreth Merz won the Best Documentary award.

South African film ' How To Steal 2 Million' won Best Film Of The Year while AMAA Jury Special Award went to another South African film, ' Man On Ground' .

Other key technical awards like AMAA 2012 Achievement In Editing, AMAA 2012 Achievement In Visual Effect, AMAA 2012 Achievement In Cinematography, and AMAA 2012 Best Director went to ' How To Steal 2 Million' - South Africa, ' Adesuwa' -Nigeria, 'Otelo Burning'- South Africa and ' How To Steal 2 Million' - Charlie Vundla respectively.

The awards night attracted a number of Nollywood stars and others from Uganda, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. Hollywood actors Rockmond Dunbar, Lynn Whitfield, Maya Gilbert and Morris Chestnut were the guests of honour.

Hosted by Haiti born Hollywood actor Jimmy Jean Louis and Nigeria's celebrity O.C Ukeje, the ceremony was full of interesting and entertaining performances by 2face Idibia, Asa, Yinka Davis, Senegal's Vivian and Edge.

The awards started with a red carpet ceremony which saw a number of Nollywood old faces displaying their fashionable garbs. Among them were Benita Nzeribe, Maureen Solomon, Tony Umez, Chinyere Wilfred, Aki, Kate Henshaw and a lot of others. Ghana's Lydia Forson, Yvonne Okoro, Ama K. Abebrese, Juliet Ibrahim and Amanda Jissih did not disappoint their fans on the red carpet.

Asantewa Olatunji, head of AMAA jury, before handing over the list of award winners on stage, acknowledged that films entered for the award this year were of higher quality. That, she said, made it difficult for the jury to pick winners.

Peace Anyiam Osigwe was enthusiastic about the glamorous nature of the event and implored African governments to support the creative industries in their various countries.

She used the opportunity to urge African filmmakers to 'tell African stories our own way'. She believed Nollywood had changed the face of African cinema and applauded the industry for that. She was also happy about how African stars were having successful careers on the world stage.

By Francis Addo