Jagun Jagun and The Weekend Shine at 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards

The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) celebrated the finest talents in African cinema on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos. Hosted by veteran Nollywood actor Segun Arinze and Ghanaian actress and TV host Joselyn Dumas, the star-studded ceremony recognized the growing impact of African storytelling on the global stage.

Two standout films—Jagun Jagun and The Weekend—emerged as big winners, earning multiple awards across key categories.

Directed by Daniel Oriahi, The Weekend clinched the coveted Best Film award, along with accolades for Achievement in Cinematography, Screenplay, and the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) Award for Best Nigerian Film. The film featured powerhouse performances by Keppy Ekpenyong-Bassey, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and Gloria Anozie.

Meanwhile, the epic Yoruba-language action film Jagun Jagun also dominated in technical and acting categories. Produced by Femi Adebayo and directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo, it won Achievement in Visual Effects, Costume Design, and Best Actor in a Supporting Role, awarded to Femi Adebayo.

Zolixa Xaluva of The Queenstown Kings won Best Actor in a Leading Role, while Jackie Appiah secured Best Actress in a Leading Role for her role in Red Carpet. Elsie Chidera Abang and Michell Lemuya took home awards for Best Supporting and Promising Young Actor, respectively.

Other notable winners included:

• Best Director: Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings)

• Best Documentary: The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique)

• Best Animation: Counter Punch (Kenya)

• Best Short Film: The Ultimate Shoemaker (Uganda)

The ceremony also honored African cinematic pioneers with Lifetime Achievement Awards, including Souleymane Cissé (Mali), Nacer Khemir (Tunisia), and Haile Gerima (Ethiopia). Special recognition awards went to Alain Gomis (Senegal/Gabon) and Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga.

Established in 2005, the AMAA continues to serve as a leading platform for celebrating African cinema’s excellence and cultural influence.