In a dazzling showcase of talent and creativity, “Breath of Life” emerged triumphant at the 10th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held at the esteemed Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. The epic event, which annually spotlights excellence in the film industry, witnessed the movie clinch several prestigious awards, including the coveted Best Movie of the Year.
Against the backdrop of this celebration, the Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, took center stage to address a critical issue plaguing the industry: piracy. Musawa reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combatting this pervasive threat, emphasizing the detrimental impact it poses not only to content creators but also to the nation’s economic landscape.
Today, creates a place for myriad of challenges due to piracy, the use and distribution of pirated content compete directly with legitimate sales, impacting the bottom line of content creators and their profit margin. As a ministry, our vision is clear. Our goal is to protect the Nigeria’s Arts, Culture and creative economy by establishing collection management organizations collaborating with the Nigeria Copyright commission, we will streamline licensing processes by leveraging technology for authentication monitoring in combating online violations.
“Piracy does not only directly affect the person whose work has been stolen, but has an impact on the wider economy and the nation. When we choose legal avenues in accessing and consuming content, we are also helping to sustain the growth and vibrancy of our creative industry. Everyone has a role to play. Together, we can protect our stories and support the story tellers who bring them to life. Let’s do our part in combating piracy in the country”.
“Breath of Life” claimed the prestigious title of Best Movie of the Year, with director BB Sasore also securing the accolade for Best Director at the AMVCA ceremony. Among the outstanding cast, Genoveva Umeh earned the distinction of Best Supporting Actress, while Demola Adedoyin shone as Best Supporting Actor, and Wale Ojo delivered a stellar performance to clinch the award for Best Lead Actor.
In addition to these noteworthy victories, the evening saw a diverse array of talents recognized across various categories. Campbell Precious garnered praise for Best Makeup in “Mami Wata,” while Abisola Omolade’s work in “Over The Bridge” was celebrated with the award for Best Art Direction. Lola Awe’s contributions to “Jagun Jagun: The Warrior” earned her the title of Best Costume Designer, and Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti’s writing in “Tunde Babalola” was honored as Best Writing in a Movie.
Grey Jones Ossai’s masterful sound design in “Blood Vessel” was awarded Best Sound Design, while Antonio Ribeiro’s editing skills in “The Black Book” earned him the title of Best Editor. Femi Adebayo’s “Jagun Jagun” was recognized as the Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), while Ormoilaa Ogol’s “The Strong One” claimed the same honor for East Africa. KC Obiajulu’s cinematography in “Over The Bridge” was lauded with the award for Best Cinematography.
The evening also celebrated the Best Indigenous M-Net Original, “Irora Iya” by Adeniyi Joseph, and the Best Short Film, “Broken Mask.” Kehinde Bankole’s remarkable performance in “Adire” earned her the title of Best Lead Actress, rounding out the list of distinguished winners at the AMVCA ceremony.
As the spotlight shone on these remarkable accomplishments, the AMVCA underscored the importance of nurturing and preserving Nigeria’s vibrant cultural heritage while simultaneously championing the innovative spirit of its creators.
