London hosts greatest gathering of Africa’s film stars

African Voice Newspapers, UK, the organisers of the annual African Film Awards (AFA), has made public the nominees for the 21st edition. This year’s AFA witnessed over 100 entries from across the world. The awards jury has nominated great new talents and established names in the industry.

London would host the glamorous ceremony to announce winners of Africa’s most prestigious film awards at a gathering of cultural ambassadors, diplomats, business moguls and celebrities at the historic Stratford Town Hall on Saturday, November 4.

The evening would also witness investiture ceremony for deserving African leaders, who would be honoured with 2017 African Voice Leadership Awards.

The Leadership Honours List include Chief Dele Momodu, Rev. Julius Oladipo Shebioba, Dr. Richard Fasunloye and Patrick Campbell, whose leadership contributions has helped community integration and cohesion in the United Kingdom.

Veteran actress, Golda John Abiola, Co-Founder and Event Director, said the journey of 21 years of AFA has positively portrayed Nollywood across the world. The jury recognises outstanding achievements and great strive for excellence among the Diaspora filmmakers.

Two films, Desecration and Talking Dolls, got the highest nominations in eight categories, including Best Feature Film, Best Producer, Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting actress, African Actor of the Year and African Actress of the Year.

While, Talking Dolls got nominations for African Actor and Actress of the Year, others with six to seven nominations are the movie, Help, In A Strange Land and Unpredictable Romance.

Top actresses, such as Rita Dominic (Desecration) and Belinda Effah (Talking Dolls) would slug it out in the African Actress of the Year category, while Nigeria’s Joseph Benjamin (Desecration), Daniel K Daniel (Talking Dolls), Daniel Lloyds (Help) and Rotimi Salami (Not Yet Married) compete to win in the category of Best African Actor of the Year.

Prince Mike Abiola, Founder and Chairman of the AFA, said: “The annual awards, organised by African Voice Newspaper UK, is aimed at celebrating excellence in the growing film industry and building global icons.

Congratulations to all the AFA 2017 nominees.”