The cinema of Nigeria, often referred to informally as Nollywood, consists of films produced in Nigeria; its history dates back to as early as the late 19th century and into the colonial era in the early 20th century. The history and development of the Nigerian motion picture industry is sometimes generally classified in four main eras: the Colonial era, Golden Age era, Video film era and the emerging New Nigerian cinema era.
Joseph van Vicker, better known as Van Vicker, is a Ghanaian actor, movie director and humanitarian. He is the chief executive officer of Sky + Orange production, a film production house. Van Vicker received two nominations for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" and "Best Upcoming Actor" at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008.
Nadia Buari is a Ghanaian actress. She received two nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009.
'Leila Afua Djansi is an American and Ghanaian filmmaker who started her film career in the Ghana film industry.
Ama K. Abebrese is a British-Ghanaian actress, television presenter and a producer. She was born in Ghana and raised in West London in the United Kingdom. She won the 2011 Best Actress in a Leading Role at the AMAA Awards for her stellar performance in Sinking Sands. Her film credits includes Azali (film) which is Ghana first ever selection for the Oscars; and the 2015 Netflix movie Beasts of No Nation directed by Cary Fukunaga and stars Idris Elba. She plays the mother to lead young actor Abraham Attah who plays Agu. Abebrese is listed among Africa's Top 20 Actors and Actresses by FilmContacts.com. She is the narrator and a producer on the Blitz Bazawule film The Burial of Kojo which was acquired by Array and was released on Netflix.
Majid Michel is a Ghanaian actor, model, television personality, evangelist and a humanitarian. He received nominations for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2017. He eventually won the award in 2012 after three previous consecutive nominations. Majid Michel attended Mfantsipim School, along with fellow actor Van Vicker.
The Africa Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards, is presented annually to recognize excellence among professionals working in, or non-African professionals who have contributed to, the African film industry. It was founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and is run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honouring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture. The award presentation is attended by numerous media representatives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMA Awards is widely considered to be Africa's most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa.
John Apea is a Ghanaian actor. In 2008 he won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Screenplay for the film Run Baby Run in which he also featured as the lead actor.
Run Baby Run is a Ghanaian action film directed by Emmanuel Apea and starring John Apea. The film received 8 nominations and won 4 awards at the Africa Movie Academy Awards in 2008, including the awards for Best Picture, Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Lydia Forson is a Ghanaian actress, writer, and producer. In 2010 she won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role.
One Night in Vegas is a 2013 Nigerian comedy drama film directed by John Uche. It stars Jimmy Jean-Louis, John Dumelo, Yvonne Nelson, Sarodj Bertin, Van Vicker, Michael Blackson and Koby Maxwell. The film focuses on a Ghanaian Couple who attempt to better their relationship by taking a trip to Las Vegas. The film was created by the same team who introduced Paparazzi Eye in the Dark in 2011. Budgeted with a low six-figure budget and filmed over the course of 19 days, the film has been known in the Nollywood USA market as the film poised to raise the bar of African films by utilizing a more western approach to production quality and standards. Notably employing the experience of an American Filmmaker to serve as Cinematographer and Editor. The film's official release in Ghana was one of the largest turnout outs ever in the history of Silverbird Theater in Accra Mall.
The 9th Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony honouring movies of 2012 was held in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State on 20 April 2013. The event was hosted by actress and former AMAA winner Ama K. Abebrese and Ayo Makun with many celebrities in attendance. The awards' nomination party was held in Lilongwe, Malawi; it was hosted by Her Excellency, President Joyce Banda. A total of 671 films were submitted for consideration across Africa, America, Canada, France, Germany, Guadalupe, Italy, Jamaica, and the United Kingdom. Confusion Na Wa won the best picture award. The late Justus Esiri was awarded the Best Actor in a leading role posthumously.
Ties that Bind is a 2011 drama film directed by Leila Djansi and starring Kimberly Elise, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Ama K. Abebrese. It was filmed in Ghana. It was nominated in 21 categories at the 2011 Ghana Movie Awards, and won 9 awards. It received 7 nominations at the 8th Africa Movie Academy Awards and eventually won the award for the category Achievement in Screenplay.
The 2012 Golden Icons Academy Movie Awards was the maiden edition of the ceremony to reward excellence in African cinema. It was hosted by Jim Iyke.
The 2010 Ghana Movie Awards was the maiden edition of the ceremony to reward cinematic achievement in Ghana Film Industry. The event was held at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Accra on 25 December 2010. Sinking Sands, Juliet Ibrahim, Nadia Buari, Yvonne Okoro, Majid Michel, John Dumelo & Genevieve Nnaji were among the winners.
Irapada is a 2006 Nigerian supernatural thriller film, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan. In 2007 It won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Film in an African Language. It was also featured as one of the Must See African Films of the 21st century on CNN African Voices in 2013. It was released on DVD in July 2008.
Double-Cross is a 2014 Ghanaian epic romantic thriller told, written, co-produced, by D.R. Kufuor. It stars Ama K. Abebrese and John Dumelo as the main cast of the movie. The movie was shot predominantly in the North Legon Area of Accra Ghana.
The Cursed Ones is a 2015 British film that was directed by Nana Obiri Yeboah and produced by Nicholas K. Lory. The original screenplay was written by Maximilian Claussen. The film tells the story of a disillusioned reporter and an idealistic young pastor, who fight to free a girl accused of witchcraft from the clutches of a corrupt system and superstition in the heart of West Africa.
Yemi Blaq born Folayemi Olatunji is a Nigerian film actor, songwriter and model.
Shadow Parties is a 2021 Nigerian political drama film directed and produced by Yemi Amodu. The film stars Yemi Blaq, Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Toyin Abraham, Jide Kosoko, Sola Sobowale, Magdalena Korpas, and Lucien Morgan. It premiered on Netflix on 6 September 2021.
