FESPACO 2009 GIST+PICS

AMAA ‘relocates’ Nollywood to Burkina Faso

The Nigerian motion picture industry globally known as Nollywood was temporarily and literally relocated to Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, for this year edition of the revered Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO). The visibility and huge representation of Nollywood at this year’s event, which is also the 21st edition and 40th anniversary of the biennial festival, was made possible by Mrs. Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the CEO, of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). For the very first time in the history of AMAA, which holds in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on Saturday, April 4, 2009, the Nominees’ List, was unveiled in FESPACO, at a very colourful ceremony that was also well-attended. Among the leading stars in Nollywood that flew to Burkina Faso with workaholic Mrs. Osigwe, to witness the event live and further hoist the Nigerian flag higher were: Joke Silva, Afolabi Adesanya, (also a jury member at FESPACO), Chinedu
Ikedieze, Osita Iheme, Sunny Mc Don and Tony Anih. Others on the list include: J-Martin, Steve Ayorinde, Saint Lukman, Chika Chukwu, Afam Chiazor, Fred Atigogo and Yours Sincerely.
We later saw other big names like: Fred Amata, Keppy Ekpeyong, Bond Emeruwa, Madu Chikwendu, Iyen Agbonifo, Tunde Kelani, Mahmoud Alli-Balogun, Rekiya Atta, Joseph Ubaka and a host of others at the historic unveiling.
Speaking briefly at the press conference that preceded the unveiling of AMAA nominees, Mrs. Osigwe, maintained that the new partnership between AMAA and FESPACO, would definitely bring good tidings to the African film and cinema sectors, adding that AMAA would continue to work closely with the organizers of FESPACO and African film professionals. Both events were well attended by African and foreign filmmakers.





Aki and Paw-paw mobbed in Burkina Faso

The way and manner the good people of Burkina Faso as well as other movie buffs from within and outside the continent ‘mobbed’ and milled around Osita Iheme and Chinedu Ikedieze, who are famously known as Aki and Paw-paw, proved that they are unarguably among the most popular faces in Africa.


Through out their stay at FESPACO, fans and admirers were constantly choking them for photos and autographs. Surprisingly, cattle rearers and artisans on the streets of Burkina Faso, were not left out of the rush. Even, while we were coming and going, their teeming fans and admirers kept queuing up for pictures and autographs. Their presence at both Ghana and Togo airports caused quite a big stir. We just hope that some corporate outfits in Nigeria would leverage on this and further make their presence known in Africa by endorsing these dynamites. We are also saying kudos to these two great actors, for being great ambassadors of not only Nollywood, but also Nigeria in general, while in Blaise Campaore’s country. Hope Dora Akunyili, is also taking note of this free branding for Naiija?


Joke Silva without Olu Jacobs @ FESPACO


At the just ended FESPACO, Olu Jacobs, the veteran actor husband of Joke Silva, who accompanied Mrs. Osigwe to the event, was conspicuously missing. Though, despite the absence of her loving hubby, Mrs. Silva, the only Nigerian leading female thespian to have won the AMAA, twice separately, kept herself busy by helping Mrs. Osigwe, to coordinate activities at the global film gathering. She was looking radiant and sexy through out her stay in Burkina Faso.
Some mischief-makers on the trip, insisted the delectable role interpreter would have glowed more than she did, if her doting hubby had joined her on the trip. Trust us to squeeze out from Uncle Olu, why he did not make the wondrous trip with madam.


J-Martins thrills @ AMAA unveiling bash

Naija’s new Hip-hop sensation J-Martins set Burkina Faso on fire at the grand unveiling of nominees for this year’s AMAA, which held at the upscale Libya hotel. The “Good or Bad” crooner thrilled the capacity filled hall with scintillating songs that kept them asking for more, even when the ceremony was over.

pics-J Martins

Though other African acts thrilled at the turbo-charged and unforgettable night of fun and relaxation, but J-Martins’ outstanding performance, which kept many busy on their toes, remains the best and most electrifying. The event climaxed with the unveiling of the Nominees List in 24 categories, which many applauded for being thorough and all encompassing. Speaking after his performance, J-Martins, said he was dazed that foreigners could accept his music and even demanded for more. He promised to embark on a continental tour soon.


Bayelsa shines @ AMAA Nominations Night

Bayelsa State government, one of the proud sponsors of the annual African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), sparkled and sizzled in Burkina Faso at the glamourous Nominations Night, which was beautifully put together by Mrs. Osigwe and her creative team. Aside the eye popping banners with images of the oil rich State governor, Timipre Sylva, dotting strategic positions inside and outside the event’s venue, a special delegation also flew in to represent bowler hat-loving Silva. Hon. Nathan Egba, the Director General of the Tourism Development and Publicity Bureau, ably led the team. The very articulate DG got a standing ovation after delivering his wondrous speech extempore. In fact, while the evening where the 24 categories vying for AMAA’s glory lasted, the comperes kept reminding the filled hall that Bayelsa, has been the major host of the awards since inception. Lest I forget, Sylva’s image was also emblazoned on the beautiful event’s
programme.


Morocan filmmaker, Mohamed Ismail at the projection of his film 'Adieu Meres'

Nollywood tops AMAA nominations List

At the very colourful ceremony held at upscale Libya Hotel, Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, The Jury of the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), unveiled to the entire world, the 24 categories that would be keenly contested in Bayelsa State, early next month.
At the evening event tagged: Nominations Night, which was hugely graced by filmmakers from around the world, who were also in that country, for the just ended FESPACO, the tension-soaked list was unveiled and read to the public. The categories include: Best Document (short subject), Documentary (feature), Short Film, Animation, Sound, Editing, Art Direction, Make Up, Visual Effect, Original Soundtrack, Promising Actor and Actress respectively. Other nominees are in the areas of: Best Performance By An Actor and Actress In Leading Roles respectively, Child Actor, Supporting Roles for Actor and Actress, Best Film In African Language, Cinematography, Costume, Best Film From Nigeria, Screenplay, Picture and Director. Among all the Nigerian films vying for honour and recognition at this year’s AMAA, Tunde Kelani’s Arugba, has the highest number of nominations. It got nominated in nine different categories, followed by Funke Akindele’s Jenifa, with four
nominations. Cindy’s Note and Reloaded, from Izu Ojukwu and Emem Isong, got three nominations each, as well as Apaadi and The Assassin. Stephanie Okereke’s Through the Glass and some other Nigerian movies are also contesting for glory and gains at the awards proper slated for April 4, 2009.

Pics thanks to bbcworldservice.