Big pips for Bisola Aiyeola, Tunde Kelani at AMVCA 2018

They were not the only entertainment personalities honoured at the recently held African Magic Viewers Choice Award (AMVCA).Screen diva, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and movie director, Jade Osiberu, were honoured in the acting and directing categories, respectively.

But in the estimation of informed observers of the motion picture industry, actress, singer and media personality, Bisola Aiyeloa, and Nigeria’s best-known filmmaker, Tunde Kelani, were the biggest winners of this year’s edition of AMVCA. While Uncle TK, as Kelani is simply called by younger colleagues, received the 2018 AMVCA Industry Merit Award, the multi-talented Bisola received the Trailblazer Award.

While Kelani, who couldn’t attend the award ceremony, as he was away in Mecca for Holy pilgrimage, was honoured for his long-standing and meritorious service to the industry, Bisola was recognised for her exceptional talent and dedication to craft. And for emerging this year’s trailblazer, Bisola got a car gift, courtesy Multichoice. Celebrity salutes Bisola and TK, who have by popular choice, emerged industry best for this year.

Bisola Aiyeola
She couldn’t contain her emotions when she heard, shortly after she rendered a song in honour of departed actors and actresses in the movie industry, that she is the organisers’ choice for this year’s trailblazer. Bisola screamed in excitement: “Oh My God, I wasn’t expecting any award,” she yelled, almost in tears. Her excitement doubled when she received the dummy key of the brand new car she got from Multichoice for being a trailblazer. A United Nation (UN) Ambassador, mother of one and last year’s Big Brother Nigeria (BBN) first runner-up, Bisola has been grabbing screen roles easily since she stepped up a few years ago.

A singer, actress and star of Ovy and Picture Perfect and a couple of other acclaimed short films and web series, including the award-winning short film, Life of A Nigerian Couple, Bisola, who participated in the 2008 edition of MTN Project Fame, is on a mission to remain on the list of the industry’s recognisable faces.

Tunde Kelani
CLEARLY Nigeria’s best known filmmaker, Tunde Kelani is undoubtedly a leader in the Nigerian motion picture industry. An accomplished cinematographer, producer and director, Tunde has, through his films, which are mostly in Yoruba language, provided a window into the richness that is the Yoruba culture of Southwest. He has also been at the forefront of the production of cultural films, using contemporary themes to paint on the canvas of indigenous myths and traditions.

Born in Lagos and raised in Abeokuta, Tunde has played a central and pivotal role in Nigerian cinema. He has contributed to most of the feature films made in Nigeria on celluloid in his capacity as a cinematographer since the 70s and equally led Mainframe Film and Television Productions to document Nigeria’s rich culture on the digital format.

Tunde became an apprentice photographer in the Lagos studios of Dotun Okubajo between 1969 and 1970. Shortly after, he joined then newly-established Western Nigerian Television as trainee cameraman and started on a career path that would lead him to being one of Africa’s most prolific filmmakers. Trained in the art and technique of filmmaking at the London International Film School, Tunde has been involved in various movie productions as cinematographer/director, such as Ireke Onibudo, Efunsetan, Vigilante, Iya Ni Wura, Ogun Ajaye, Mosebolatan, Kannakanna, Eri Okan, Ti Oluwa Nile, Ayo Ni Mo Fe, Koseegbe, Oleku, A Place Called Home, The White handkerchief, Twins of The Rain Forest, Saworoide, Thunderbolt, A Barber’s wisdom, Agogoeewo, The Campus Queen, The Narrow Path and Abeni and Arugba.

He also does newsreel, shorts and documentary work for BBC World Service and other international news organisations in Nigeria and Africa, including the M-Net New Directions initiative, as cinematographer, director and producer. In addition to making films, Tunde presently runs the Mainframe Film and Media Institute (MFMI) located in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and is the current Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB).