AMVCAs are back: All you need to know

Following the successful first edition of the AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), MultiChoice and AfricaMagic are pleased to announce the call to entry for the second edition. The AMVCAs were created to acknowledge and celebrate the contribution made by Pan African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry.

The official announcement of the 2014 AMVCAs was made last night on Africa’s biggest reality show, Big Brother. This after Big Brother invited 2013 AMVCA award winners, Ghanaian actress Jackie Appiah and director Akin Omotoso, to judge a movie task that was presented by the housemates last Thursday.

This year a total of 28 awards in 26 categories will be awarded ranging from acting and directing to scriptwriting and cinematography, with 9 of those categories being voted for by the viewers. Other areas in which honours will be given are editing, make-up, sound, lighting, including the most anticipated of the whole ceremony, the Industry Merit Award and the Trailblazer of The Year Award. Last year the two awards were awarded to veteran Nigerian actor Olu Jacobs and Nigerian actress Ivie Okujaiye respectively.

“It is a pleasure for us to announce the launch of the second AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards after the resounding success of the first one. AfricaMagic is committed to recognising, nurturing and rewarding the excellence and artistry that exists within our movie and television industry,” says M-Net Africa MD Biola Alabi. She goes on to say: “The number of entries and the significant response we received last year is proof that the AMVCAs are contributing by recognizing, acknowledging and rewarding the hard work that goes into this ever-expanding industry,” says Alabi.

CEO of MultiChoice Africa, Nico Meyer said: “MultiChoice Africa is delighted to be a partner in the second edition of the AfricaMagic Viewer’s Choice Awards. Our association with the awards is a show of our commitment to growing Africa’s talent, the entertainment and movie industry with quality local programming allowing Africans to take ownership of their achievements. We are certain that once again this year, the continent will celebrate its rising stars. We look forward to the emergence of powerful stories and Africa’s unsung heroes.”

The inaugural AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards ceremony took place in Lagos on 9 March 2013. Sponsored by Nigeria’s number one low-sugar malt drink, Amstel Malta, the ceremony was broadcast live from Lagos to DStv and GOtv audiences in more than 50 countries across the continent. The event was attended by the some of the big name actors and actresses across the continent’s TV and film industry. Some of the movies that took top honors were Otelo Burning (Best Movie Overall), Skeem (Best Movie- Comedy) and The Mirror Boy (Best Movie – Drama). The Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama accolades went to Nigerian OC Ukeje and Ghanaian Jackie Appiah.

Entry is free and the deadline for all submissions is Friday 18 October at 6pm (WAT).

Entries can be sent to AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards, PO Box 2963, Pinegowrie, 2123, for attention – Manager: Local Productions Africa.

Here are some useful links:

AMVCA 2014 Guidelines 
AMVCA 2014 Submission Form
Frequently Asked Questions About the AMVCAs 2014

All films, made-for-television movies or television series are eligible for entry to the AMVCA if they were produced and broadcast or publicly exhibited during the period of 01 May 2012 to 30 April 2013.

For more details on the submission procedure and requirements log on to the official Africa Magic website.