The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has invited  film-makers to submit their feature, short, animation and documentary works for consideration in nearly 30 categories of the awards.

The deadline for all submissions is 30th January 2018, while a late entry deadline is  February 14. Submission is on Film Freeway and in any of the AMAA offices across the continent.

AMAA rolls out the rules thus, The organisers note, “Filmmakers must ensure that for the 2018 edition of the award, each completed entry form must be accompanied with all the supporting materials listed on the submission forms, including the synopsis of the film, the list of credits, marketing stills of the film, filmographies of the directors and producers, copies of the film in 3DVDS or a hard drive plus a compulsory online submission via vimeo / we transfer and proof of the right to submit. All films must indicate the year of copyright. Importantly, the Africa Film Academy will not accept any film that exceeds the 120-minute run as a feature or a short film that is longer than 40 minutes.

“Nominations will be announced on April 2018, while the 14th edition will be held on June 2, 2018 and televised globally. Only films produced and released between June 2016 and January 2018 may be entered for this celebration of African cinema. AMAA was founded in 2005. Mostly held annually in Nigeria, it is without doubt the most prestigious and glamorous African entertainment industry event of its kind on the continent. Evolving from a one-day event to an annually chronicled African one, AMAA is now an established engagement platform for film-makers, industry professionals and all creative industry stakeholders.

“The primary aim of the awards is to facilitate the development and the showcasing of the social relevance of African film and cinema. The awards are presented to recognise and honour excellence in professional film-making in the African film industry and the African Diaspora.”

They recall that the 2017 AMAA took place on July 15, 2017 at the Eko Hotels Convention Centre in Lagos State.

It was hosted by notable Nollywood actress Nse Ikpe-Etim. Awards were presented in about 30 categories including best animation, best Diaspora feature, Best Africa Film in the Diaspora and Best Diaspora Short Film Awards, inclusive of Caribbean shorts and Caribbean features, achievement in make-up, achievement in production design, and achievement in editing, achievement in screenplay, best actor and actress in a supporting role, and more.

AMAA further notes, “The award for the Best African actor of the year went to Jahwar Soudani for his lead role in the Tunisian movie  Last of Us,  while the Congolese actress Vero Tshanda won the Best Actress award for her lead role in the Senegalese movie Félicité by Allan Gomis.

Felicite emerged the biggest winner of the night, winning the AMAA 2017 Best Film and lots more.  Other winners include Akin Omotoso, who won the best director award, Nkem Owoh, who received the Lifetime Achievement Award and 76,  which won the Lagos State Best Nigerian award.”