The 2017 African Film Awards which held at the historic Stratford Town Hall London on Saturday 4th November, lived up to its billing from start to finish, holding its guests to exciting and unforgettable moments.
Africa’s most prestigious award ceremony built its momentum very quickly to the amusement of the guests when SACO popularly known as The Senior Advocate of Comedy flown all the way from Nigeria to host the ceremony climbed the main stage accompanied by UK based female Master of Ceremony, Gloria Adegboyega for a captivating kickoff.
Two young, talented singers, Wunmi Daniel and Jeremiah Emmanuel dazzled the audience in quick successions with their opening performances after the grand master saxophonist and multi-talented instrumentalist; Popee set the mood for the evening.
The award recipients did not hold back their emotions as the suspense created between announcements of winners brought out the best in them. Some burst into tears, some were so elated and became speechless, while others sang and danced all the way to the stage to express their appreciations and joy.
The film Desecration won four awards on the evening, the award for Best Screen Play was collected by Bode Odetoye, Nicola Alexis won Best Actress in Supporting Role, Max Cavenham won Best Actor in Supporting Role and Rita Dominic won African Actress of the Year.
Talking Dolls carted away the 21st African Film Awards Best Director and Best Feature Film respectively. The cast members on stage included Sukie Oduwole (Director), Yetunde Oduwole (Actress) and Marc Adebesin (Producer).
Roseline Sanni Ajose, who won the 21st African Film Awards Best Actress UK Nollywood for her role in In A Strange Land, said “I am so delighted to have won this award, making it the second one. Two years ago I won the AFA Rising Star 2015 and this year, 2017, I rose to win the best”.
Kannywood star Actor Ramadam Booth got on stage to address his fans in Hausa dialect as he picked up the Best Actor. Nafisat Abdullahi, African Film Awards Outstanding Kannywood Actress of the Year described the awards as amazing and dedicated it to the leader of the delegation veteran actor Ali Nuhu. While Laide Bakare who won the Best Actress in Yoruba Language category stunned the audience with her sonorous rendition of a popular church song.
The new Mother Theresa of our time, Rev Mother Esther Abimbola Ajayi, Senior Pastor of Love of Christ Generation Church C & S London, who is ever ready to support any good cause, fully supported the awards and graced the occasion with her presence. She presented the well-deserved, Leadership Awards to Dr. Richard Fasunloye and Patrick Campbell respectively.
Rapper/singer Flow spiced up the evening with his unique style of rapping while London based multi-award winning entertainer Deoba Authentic mesmerized the audience with his rhythmical vibe.
One of the wow moments of the evening was from a 12-year-old student of Young and Talented Theatre School, Jeremiah Emmanuel who got a standing ovation with his scintillating rendition of End of The Road by Boyz II Men.
The 21st African Film Awards was a huge success and indeed a night to remember.
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