I feel really good about myself right now! Am I a Prophet or what? Mere weeks after I unequivocally declared that Olu Jacobs deserves an Oscar, he was awarded an Industry Merit award at the just concluded Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA). No nominees or anything, just Olu being appreciated and applauded. His speech was an inspiration as well.
“You don’t have to be in front of the camera to be in the entertainment industry…there’s lighting, there’s directing, there’s scripting…Know what you want and pray that when you see it, you recognize it…if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, try and try again.”
He regaled the audience with tales of his struggles to break into the British acting scene which would serve as the foundation for a breath-taking career that has spanned decades.
A second proof of my genius is that Marie Lora-Mungai whom I celebrated but a few days back won the award for best television series for the XYZ Show!!! Am I good or am I good? I have got the magic touch, so next time there is an award season, better queue up to ensure I bless you with my golden wand!!!
Other winners were:
Best Actor – Drama (Movies/TV): OC Ukeje – Two Brides and a Baby
Best Actress – Drama (Movies/TV): Jackie Appiah – Perfect Picture
Best Supporting Actor – Drama (Movies/TV): Matthew Nabwiso – A Good Catholic Girl
Best Supporting Actress – Drama (Movies/TV): Maureen Koech – Lies that Bind
Best Actor – Comedy (Movies/TV): Hafiz Oyetoro – House a Part
Best Actress – Comedy (Movies/TV): Mercy Johnson – Dumebi the Dirty Girl
Best Costume Designer: Ngozi Obasi – The Mirror Boy
Best Short Film: Ngendo Mukii – Yellow Fever
Best Writer – Comedy: Tim Greene – Skeem
Best Sound Editor: Michael Botha & Joel Assaizky – Man on Ground
Best Movie Director: Obi Emelonye – The Mirror Boy
Best Lighting Designer: Dave Howe – Otelo Burning
Best Art Director: Anita van Hemert & Chantel Carter – Otelo Burning
Best Movie (Comedy): Tim Greene – Skeem
Best Picture Editor: Aryan Kaganof – Man on Ground
Best Movie (Drama): Akin Omotoso/Fabian Adeoye Lojede/Hakeem Kae-Kazim/Rosie Motene – Man on Ground
Best Local Language Movie (Yoruba): Tunde Kelani – Maami
Best Local Language Movie (Hausa): A. Ali/Hafizu Bello – Faida Nura
Best Local Langauge Movie (Swahili): Sameer Srivastava/Sanjni Srivastava – The Ray of Hope
Best Writer (Drama): Obi Emelonye/Amaka Obi-Emelonye – The Mirror Boy
Best Cinematographer: Paul Michelson – Man on Ground
Best Make-Up Artist: Jacqui Bannermen – Otelo Burning
Best Movie: Sara Blecher – Otelo Burning
Industry Trailblazer Award: Ivie Okujaiye
