What Is 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards

Overview

The 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held on December 21, 2019, marked a significant milestone in the celebration of African cinematic excellence. Organized by the Africa Film Academy, the event took place at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, returning to the city for the first time since 2012. This edition celebrated the best in African filmmaking from the preceding year, honoring achievements across a broad spectrum of categories including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor.

Founded in 2005 by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the AMAA has become one of the most prestigious film awards on the continent, often referred to as the 'African Oscars.' The awards were created to promote and recognize high-quality filmmaking across Africa, spotlighting talent from Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and beyond. Over the years, the AMAA has evolved into a pan-African event, with entries accepted from all 54 African nations, reflecting the continent’s diverse cultures and storytelling traditions.

The 2019 ceremony was particularly notable for its celebration of Nollywood’s global reach, highlighted by the success of Genevieve Nnaji’s 'Lionheart', which won Best Picture. The film had previously made history as Nigeria’s first submission to the Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Despite being disqualified by the Oscars due to language rules, 'Lionheart' received critical acclaim and became a symbol of Nigeria’s growing influence in global cinema. The 15th AMAA thus served not only as a recognition of artistic achievement but also as a platform for affirming African voices in world cinema.

How It Works

The Africa Movie Academy Awards operate through a structured nomination and voting process managed by the Africa Film Academy, a body composed of filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals. Entries are submitted from across the continent and judged based on artistic and technical merit. The process includes preliminary screenings, shortlisting, and final voting by academy members, ensuring a transparent and credible selection of winners.

• Eligibility Period: Films must have been released between July of the previous year and June of the award year. For the 15th AMAA, this covered July 2018 to June 2019.
• Submission Process: Producers or distributors submit entries online, providing copies of films, cast lists, and technical details. A submission fee is required, varying by category.
• Judging Panel: A jury of 12 international and African film experts reviews entries in each category, assessing narrative, cinematography, and cultural relevance.
• Nomination Phase: The top five vote-getters in each category are announced as nominees, typically in October or November.
• Voting Members: Over 1,200 academy members vote in the final round, with results certified by an independent auditing firm.
• Award Categories: The 15th AMAA featured 26 competitive categories, including Best Film, Best Actor, Best Director, and Best Indigenous Language Film.
• Host City Rotation: The event rotates between African cities; the 15th edition returned to Lagos after being held in Yenagoa, Enugu, and Rwanda in prior years.

Key Details and Comparisons

The table illustrates the growth and professionalization of the AMAA over the past decade. By 2019, the awards had expanded from 18 categories in 2009 to 26 in 2019, reflecting the increasing complexity and output of African cinema. The international profile of winning films has also risen, with Lionheart achieving global attention. Additionally, viewership has more than quadrupled, indicating greater media coverage and digital engagement. These changes underscore the AMAA’s role in elevating African storytelling on the world stage, transforming it from a regional event into a globally recognized institution.

Real-World Examples

The 15th AMAA showcased a range of outstanding African films that demonstrated both artistic depth and commercial appeal. Among the most celebrated was Lionheart, a family drama set in the transport industry, which resonated with audiences for its professional production values and nuanced performances. Another standout was Know No Evil from Ghana, which won Best Actor for John Dumelo and highlighted the rising quality of Ghanaian cinema. South Africa’s Knuckle City also received multiple nominations, reflecting the country’s strong film industry.

1. Lionheart (Nigeria): Won Best Picture and Best Actress (Genevieve Nnaji), later submitted to the Oscars.
2. Know No Evil (Ghana): Won Best Actor and Best Editing, praised for its tight narrative and moral themes.
3. Knuckle City (South Africa): Received 7 nominations, including Best Director and Best Cinematography.
4. Plan B (Kenya): Won Best Screenplay, showcasing Kenya’s growing presence in African cinema.

Why It Matters

The 15th Africa Movie Academy Awards was more than a celebration of film—it was a cultural statement about African identity, creativity, and resilience. By honoring diverse voices and stories, the AMAA fosters unity across the continent and amplifies underrepresented narratives. The event also drives economic growth by promoting African content to international distributors and streaming platforms.

• Impact: Boosted investment in Nollywood, with increased funding for high-quality productions post-2019.
• Cultural Representation: Promoted indigenous languages and traditions through categories like Best Indigenous Language Film.
• Global Visibility: Films like Lionheart gained distribution deals with Netflix and other global platforms.
• Youth Inspiration: Encouraged a new generation of African filmmakers through workshops and mentorship programs linked to the event.
• Industry Standards: Raised production benchmarks by recognizing excellence in sound, editing, and cinematography.

The 15th AMAA not only celebrated past achievements but also set a precedent for the future of African cinema. As the continent continues to assert its place in global entertainment, events like the AMAA play a crucial role in shaping narratives, building infrastructure, and ensuring that African stories are told with authenticity and pride.