The 18th edition of the African Film Awards also known as the Afro Hollywood Awards took place in London last Thursday 6th November 2014. It was a celebration of excellence in Nollywood & the best of Black British cinema at the Odeon IMAX Greenwich London.
The glamourous evening witnessed British actors and their Nigerian counterparts on the red carpet with diplomats and community leaders networking and toasting to the growing success story that Nollywood is recording globally.
The Nigerian film stars and recipients at this year’s African Film Awards, earlier on in the day paid a courtesy visit to Dr. Dalhatu Tafida OFR, CFR, the Nigeria High Commissioner to the UK at the Nigeria House. Dr. Tafida while welcoming the delegation said that Nigerian movies are making significant contributions in cultural diplomacy around the world.
In a message to the recipients of the 18th African Film Awards in London, Dr Tafida said Nollywood is “spreading good news beyond the confines of Africa” and propagating Nigerian culture across the world. He noted that Nigerian cinema is already making great contributions to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In his remarks, the founder of African Film Awards, Prince Mike Abiola said that film has become a powerful tool that “penetrates people’s homes and hearts” and has the ability to change people’s mindsets and perceptions.
Prince Abiola, who is also the publisher of the African Voice newspaper in the UK, said Nigerian film stars have become global icons as Nigerian cinema becomes more popular. At present, Nollywood films are being shown on six global channels in the UK, as well as on online networks. He said the African Film Awards was introduced in 1996 to project the best of Africa and expose Africa’s potential in the film industry, and thanked Dr. Tafida for his “diplomatic and fatherly support” for the awards over the years.
Lebara, the mobile telecom company is proud to sponsor the African Film Awards 2014. Beatrice Farina, Chief Brand Officer of Lebara congratulated all of this year’s finalists. Also as a goodwill gesture and assurance that Lebara is always by your side, a welcome pack with pre-loaded Sim cards was issued to all 20 winners.
The night of glitz recorded impressive attendance which included leading industry practitioners and film enthusiasts. While some of the recipients were emotional when receiving the prestigious award, s guests enjoyed the jokes of humor merchant, Olufemi Fagade a.k.a Omo Baba N0.1.
An excerpt from African Film Awards 2014’s Best Black British Film of the Year, Gone Too Far by Poisson Rouge Pictures was screened; showing the audience reasons why the community needs to support Black films at the cinema. In celebration of the growth and enhanced quality of production by the Nigeria film makers excerpts of three films Being Mrs Elliott by actress Omoni Oboli, Tango with Me, directed by Mahmood Ali-Balogun and Tunde Kelani’s Dazzling Mirage were also screened.
The awards ceremony was compered by the duo of Keni Ogunlola and Moji Bishi with creative direction by Yomi Oyekannmi.
Veteran actress Golda John, in her vote of thanks noted the contributions of the sponsors Lebara, Kato Enterprises and media partners whose contributions made this year’s celebration possible.
The 2014 African Film Awards winners:
Bose Oseyemi a.k.a Lepacious Bose – Best Comedian of the Year (Female)
Mark Omotope Afolayan aka “MC Mark” – Best Comedian of the Year (Male)
David Balogun – Best Comedy Promoter of the Year
Adelayo Adedayo – Best Black British Actress of the Year
Malachi Kirby – Best Black British Actor of the Year
O.C Ukeje – Best African Actor of the Year
Omoni Oboli – Best African Actress of the Year
Gone Too Far – Best Black British Film of the Year
Destiny Ekaragha – Best Black British film Director (Gone Too Far)
Broken Bridge by George Kelly – Best Indigenous Movie of the Year
Roseline Sanni–Ajose – Rising Star (Acting role in Labo – Life is a journey)
Muyideen Ayinde – Best African Director of the Year (Jenifa, a Yoruba Movie)
Abayomi Abass Tijani – Best Entertainment Promoter of the Year Awards
Daniel Sync – Best Celebrity Photographer of the Year
Hajia Hawa Funtua – Best TV correspondent for Television in Africa
(Nigerian Television Authority)
Magazine Show – Best African Entertainment Programme on Ethnic Minority Channel (BEN TV)
Rita Nzelu – Outstanding contributions to Nollywood (Actress & Producer)
Mr & Mrs Ini Akpabio – Outstanding contributions to the Nigerian film industry
Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, DG Nigeria Tourism Development Authority – Outstanding contributions to Tourism in Africa.
