The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2004) is set to be an unforgettable celebration of African creativity and innovation. With this year’s theme, Celebrating African Creativity, the event, scheduled for November 2, 2024, at the Balmoral Center in Ikeja, Lagos, promises to showcase the continent’s finest talents in film.

Daniel Oriahi’s The Weekend sweeps AMAA2 024 nominations, with nods in best film, directing, lead acting for Bucci Franklin & Uzoamaka Aniunoh; and supporting acting for Meg Otanwa annd Keppy Ekpenyong.

On October 2nd, 2024, the AMAA nominations were across various categories, reflecting the diversity and brilliance of African cinema. Below is a list of the categories and their nominees:

Best Film

Under the Hanging Tree
The Weekend
This is Lagos
A Smile, A Wink, and A Tear
Orah
Letters to Goddo
The Queenstown Kings

Best Actor in a Leading Role

Zolixa Xaluva – The Queenstown Kings
Gabriel Afolayan – This is Lagos
Duncan Murunyu Mungai – Boda Love
Nenesenor Abloso – Letters to Goddo
Bucci Franklyn – The Weekend
Femi Jacobs – Anjola
Chidi Mokeme – Out of Breath

Best Actress in a Leading Role

Girley Jazama – Under the Hanging Tree
Oyin Oladejo – Orah
Unati Faku – The Queenstown Kings
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – The Weekend
Laura Pepple – This is Lagos
Jackie Appiah – Red Carpet
Ife Irele – A Smile, A Wink, and A Tear

Best Actor in a Supporting Role

Sandile Mahlangu – The Queenstown Kings
Ochungo Benson – Nawi
Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey – The Weekend
Ikechukwu Onunaku – Afamefuna
Lucky Ejim – Orah
Solomon Fixon Owoo – Letters to Goddo
Femi Adebayo – Jagun Jagun

Best Actress in a Supporting Role

Meg Otanwa – The Weekend
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa – The Queenstown Kings
Elsie Chidera Abang – Kipkemboi
Tessa Twala – The Queenstown Kings
Bukunmi Oluwashina – White and Black
Somkele Iyamah-Dhalamah – Orah
Chioma Akpotha – Mojisola

Best Debut Feature Film by a Director

Letters to Goddo – Harry Bentil
Rising Up at Night – Nelson Makengo
She – Seun Richards

Achievement in Cinematography

The Weekend
Nawi
Kipkemboi
Letters to Goddo
This is Lagos
The Queenstown Kings
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear

Achievement in Screenplay

Under the Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Letter to Goddo
This is Lagos
Boda Love
The Queenstown Kings
Out of Breath

Achievement in Production Design

Orah
The Queenstown Kings
The Weekend
Jagun Jagun
Kipkemboi
Makula
Out of Breath

Achievement in Sound

A Smile, A Wink, and A Tear
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Boda Love
Kipkemboi
Boda Love

Achievement in Editing

Under the Hanging Tree
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Nawi
Kipkemboi
The Beads
Anjola

Achievement in Soundtrack

The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Orah
This is Lagos
Mojisola
Red Carpet

Achievement in Visual Effects

Kipkemboi
Jagun Jagun
Under the Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Bokwagter
Out of Breath

Achievement in Costume Design

The Beads
The Weekend
White and Black
Jagun Jagun
The Queenstown Kings
Mai Martaba
Out of Breath

Achievement in Make-Up

The Weekend
Nawi
Letters to Goddo
Out of Breath
Jagun Jagun
Anjola
White and Black

National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film

The Weekend
This is Lagos
Afamefuna
Jagun Jagun
Mai Martaba
A Smile, A Wink, and A Tear
Out of Breath

Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film

The Last Shoemaker – Uganda
Seben – Mali
Dear Future Wife – South Africa
Isolated – Nigeria
Jolie – Angola
Strike a Blow and Die – Malawi
Don’t Call Me Beautiful – Ghana
Sins of a Father – Zimbabwe/USA

Best Diaspora Narrative Feature

Outlaw Posse – USA
Mickey Hardaway – USA
Love After Holidays – USA

Jubril Malafia Award for Best Animation

Heavy Crown – Libya
Counter Punch – Kenya
Journey of the Legend – Cameroon
Hadu – Nigeria
Between Paya and Koulou – Senegal
Oya (The Goddess of Gods) – Nigeria
Set Pieces – Sudan

Best Diaspora Short

The Neighbourhood Alert – USA
Bottled Up – Jamaica
The Golden Boy – USA

Best Diaspora Documentary

The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre – USA
A Rising Tide – USA
Colour – USA

Best Documentary

A Quand L’Afrique – Congo Brazzaville
The Night Still Smells of Gunpowder – Mozambique
The Return Train – Mali
Gateway to Dreams – Cameroon
Rainbow Nation – South Africa
Dela – The Making of El-Anatsui – Nigeria
Donga – Libya
Rising Up at Night – Democratic Republic of Congo

Best Young/Promising Actor

Michell Lemuya – Nawi
Likhona Mgali – The Queenstown Kings
Agape Mngomezulu – Orah
William Dias – Bokwagter
Kofi Adu-Gyamfi – Tejiri
Ruby Akubueze – She
Fatima Muhammed – Mai Martaba

Stay tuned for the 20th AMAA ceremony on November 2, 2024, where African cinema will once again take center stage, celebrating excellence in filmmaking across the continent and beyond.