The Nation Newspaper

Tag: AfricaMagic

  • Lagos@50 to host glamorous premiere of Kunle Afolayan’s ‘Roti’

     

    As Lagos State continues its celebration of 50 years anniversary, the next entertainment show that will put the commercial nerve of West Africa in the spotlight of the events is Kunle Afolayan‘s new flick, ROTI.

    The film is an Africa Magic and Golden Effects Pictures collaboration, produced timely to celebrate Lagos on the big screen; the Filmhouse IMAX Cinema, Lekki, Lagos on Friday, May 5, 2017.

    The screening which is scheduled for 6pm, is an exclusive premiere which will have cast and crew of the movie, celebrity artistes, sponsor companies and Governor Akinwunmi Ambode as Special Guest of Honour.

     

    ROTI tells the story of a couple battling with the loss of their only son, Roti.

    Years after they lost him to a brief illness, the wife finds a boy called Juwon,  too identical not to be their dead son.

    She initially receives the experience in wonder and hope of a reunited future with her dead son, but, after she discovers roughly that Juwon is entirely not her dead son, she is washed anew by grief, depression and desperation.

    Her desperation spirals for the worst as the decision-making on her future with Juwon becomes rather irrational and reckless.

    The film features Kunle Afolayan, Kate Henshaw, Toyin Oshinaike, Faithia Balogun and Afolayan’s son, Dari in his debut movie role.

     

  • AfricaMagic takes Tinsel auditions to Accra

    AfricaMagic takes Tinsel auditions to Accra

    IT was undoubtedly a  major step last weekend when AfricaMagic literally berthed at Accra, Ghana to audition for aspiring actors and actresses in the country for various roles in its multi-camera soap opera, Tinsel, as well as its first-ever film feature initiative, AfricaMagic Original Films.

    The auditions, which held simultaneously in Ghana and Nigeria, sought to provide the opportunity for talented acts to live their dreams of playing in Tinsel or in an AfricaMagic- produced movie, thereby launching their acting careers to a continental audience.

    Since its debut in 2008, Tinsel, a 30-minute series, has gone on to win the hearts of hundreds of DStv viewers, both in the country and on the continent.

    Currently in its sixth season, Tinsel has become a must-watch for millions of DStv audiences on the African continent, a development that prompted the AfricaMagic brand to air previous seasons of the show on some of the other AfricaMagic channels and Silverbird TV to the delight of many television viewers.

    Tinsel is shot on location in Nigeria and is part of AfricaMagic’s local investment drive dedicated to developing the television industry in Africa.

    Speaking on the plan to launch auditions for two of the brand’s biggest initiatives, the Regional Director, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “AfricaMagic is always excited at being a part of the fast-growing African film and television industry. We are equally excited at the opportunity to create pure African contents. But more importantly, we have the chance to continue to tell the African story on a continent wide platform.”

  • AfricaMagic calls for auditions

    AfricaMagic calls for auditions

    As it prepares to stage the seventh edition of its TV series, Tinsel and film feature initiative, AfricaMagic Original Films, AfricaMagic is has now announced auditions for new TV and film stars.

    According to the management, this is part of its contribution to the development of local productions of film and TV initiatives in Nigeria.

    The auditions, according to information, are scheduled to hold simultaneously on Thursday and Friday May 1 and 2 from 7a.m. to 5p.m. at different locations across the country as well as neighbouring countries, including Ghana.

    According to the organisers, venues of the auditions include Protea Hotel, SS Lounge, Victoria Island, both in Lagos, and the Theatre Arts Department Hall, University of Ibadan.

    The auditions, according to a release, seek to provide the opportunity for talented Nigerians to live their dreams of starring in the popular soap opera or in an AfricaMagic movie, while launching their acting careers to a continental audience. It is open to male and female.

    The Regional Director, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, said: “AfricaMagic is always excited to be a part of the fast- growing African film and television industry. We are equally excited at the opportunity to create pure African contents. But more importantly, we have the chance to continue to tell the African story on a continent wide platform.”

  • AfricaMagic launches Awesome April

    AfricaMagic launches Awesome April

    IT is cheering news for lovers of Nigerian home video, as the management of AfricaMagic has said that it will launch 45 brand new movie titles exclusively on two of its channels in one month. It is tagged Awesome April.

    This is in line with the September 2013 launch of its AfricaMagic Original Films (AMOF) initiative.

    Running in two parts throughout April 2014, subscribers have been promised a line-up of new AfricaMagic Original Films every weekend on AfricaMagic Entertainment. In addition, AfricaMagic will be screening the AMOF titles every single day in April, according to the management.

    Among the films to be screened are Tomorrow, Maid, Anita, Stereotype, Miss Detective, The Top Spot, Stray Thoughts, Bump, Clandestine, 11AM, Drift Beyond Conscience MatchMaker and a host of others.

    Speaking on the AMOF initiative, M-Net Regional Director, WangiMba-Uzouwku said: “It’s truly an Awesome April. At AfricaMagic, we’re passionate about our film initiative, which is also the very first of its kind for our brand. This project is deeply special to us because it showcases the incredible diversity of stories and talent that abound across this continent. We will continue to invest in creating, commissioning and acquiring homegrown programming for all of our eight channels that is relevant and entertainment for our audiences.”

  • AfricaMagic day with AMVCA nominees

    AfricaMagic day with AMVCA nominees

    It was a simultaneous event around Africa on Wednesday, as Africa Magic unveiled nominees in the 26 categories of the much-publicised Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), which enters its sophomore this year.

    In Nigeria, the event brought nominees, sponsors and events organisers together in a brunch, thereby creating a buzz around the main show, scheduled to hold at the Eko Hotel Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, on March 8.

    Not all the nominees were at the WheatBaker Hotel, Ikoyi; venue of the Nigerian leg. But those present include Bimbo Manuel, Funke Akindele, Ivie Okujaye, Rukky Sanda Mercy Aigbe, Nkiru Sylvanus, Carl Raccah, Tamara Eteimo, Mary Ogbonna, Afeez Eniola, and Michelle Dede.

    Nominees expressed their excitement at the event. Funke Akindele, nominated for Best Actress in a Comedy for three films, said: “I’m honoured to be nominated this year for the AMVCA. For artistes like me, the greatest fulfilment is knowing that our work is being appreciated.

    Besides unveiling the nominees to the press, organisers used the brunch to give the artistes a sense of fulfilment, whereby each nominee is treated as a winner already.

    There are indications that AMVCA nominees all over Africa will be hosted to a pre-event cocktail at the Eko Hotel, Lagos, on the eve of the award show.

    According to Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Media and Brand Public Relations Manager Mr Edem Vindah, headline sponsors of the show, Amstel Malta, ‘’is excited to once again be a part of this opportunity to reward the best of the African movie industry.

    “We love to be a part of the success of the movie industry and that’s why the Amstel Malta Box Office Platform was created to acknowledge the contribution of the industry to the Nigerian economy.

    ‘’We are glad we’ve been able to produce acts that have been nominated for the awards like O.C Ukeje and Ivie Okujaiye.

    MultiChoice, Africa’s leading digital pay television entertainment operators, through its premium channel, M-Net, has done extensive investments in developing original African programming as well as showcasing the best African content across the continent.

    According to John Ugbe, managing director of MultiChoice Nigeria, “MultiChoice has continued to prioritise its investment in promoting local film and television entertainment while collaborating with talented local filmmakers in creating authentic African stories,” a feat that is further boosted through the competitive award among filmmakers and film stars.

    Speaking on the AMVCA awards and the investment by MultiChoice in developing skills and talent in television broadcast, Managing Director of M-Net Africa, Mrs. Biola Alabi said: “Our mission at AfricaMagic is a continued investment in African film and television and to continuously support the development of homegrown African content. The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the people in front and behind the cameras, who make African storytelling truly beautiful and compelling to watch. At AfricaMagic, we are truly delighted with the list of nominees, we believe every nominee is a winner and we wish you the best of luck on the big night.”

  • Osas Ighodaro joins AfricaMagic Awards emcees

    Osas Ighodaro joins AfricaMagic Awards emcees

    AFRICAMAGIC Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has announced Tinsel star, Osas Ighodaro, as the new addition to the celebrity emcee list for its gala ceremony.

    Though both IK Osakioduwa and Vimbai Mutinhiri, co-host of last year’s edition, are being returned, they will be burdened with fewer responsibilities, as some of the segments will be anchored by Ighodaro, who is also a part of the AfricaMagic’s onscreen family.

    The awards ceremony, which is done in association with MultiChoice and Amstel Malta, will be held in Lagos on Saturday, March 8, and will be screened live on DStv and GOtv to over 50 countries on the continent.

    M-Net Africa’s Managing Director of Special Projects Biola Alabi, said “IK and Vimbai did a tremendous job of hosting the inaugural AMVCAs. We are confident that with the addition of Osas, this dynamic team will once more keep this exciting and fast-paced live event running smoothly. With more viewer-voted categories, the launch of the New Era Award and a sensational new stage, the latest edition of these awards should be bigger and better.”

    She disclosed that TV personality, Denrele Edun, will be working the turquoise carpet.

    Commenting on the show, IK said, “The mileage the show attracts makes it a blessing to be nominated, let alone win. Also, one of my favourite categories is the Trailblazer Award, the continent’s first simultaneous look at new and developing talents. Also, one of the things I loved last year was seeing the really glamorous outfits.”

    In his view, co-host Vimbai of StarGist said, “The evening is a reminder of how much work, passion and commitment goes into film and TV. Also, the nominees have helped drive African films into contemporary culture and modernity in so many ways. So, it will be great to see who takes the first New Era Award.”

    Interestingly, enthusiastic Osas said, “I enjoyed every moment of the AMVCA’s last year and I am very excited about this year’s show. Being in a room full of beautiful African stars celebrating amazing works and knowing it will be broadcast all over Africa is nothing short of a blessing and I can’t wait. The AMVCA’s certainly exudes quality and I’m proud to be a part of it.”

    Twenty nine laurels in 27 categories will be awarded with the recipients of the Industry Merit Award, the New Era Award and the TrailBlazer Award also to be announced.

    According to the organizers, there are 137 nominations from across 80 productions this year vying for awards.

    Fans who wish to vote for their favourites in the nine viewers’ choice categories are urged to act fast, as voting closes on March 3, on the www.africamagic.tv website.

  • Big Brother Africa on AfricaMagic next year

    Big Brother Africa on AfricaMagic next year

    In addition to its first ever AfricaMagic Viewers Choice Awards which it is creating in association with MultiChoice, AfricaMagic has confirmed that it will also screen a new season of the hit reality super-series Big Brother Africa (BBA).

    Exactly a decade after Africa pioneered the world’s first-ever continental Big Brother , the show will return to DStv and GOtv screens next year with more of the must-watch entertainment, drama and excitement that it’s famous for. And once again, there is a secret twist that producers have worked on to ensure that the new season will capture audience attention once more!

    “The demand from audiences for BBA continues undimmed. In some ways it really is astonishing to see the enthusiasm for this particular series, but in other ways it is to be expected,” says M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi.

    “Viewers want to see unscripted television, as it happens, with normal people that they can relate to dealing with completely familiar emotional concepts – happiness, frustration, success, failure, hope, anxiety, friendship, opportunity and of course, love. Big Brother continues to be a ratings sensation from Australia to India, and in Africa, for exactly this reason. And the format’s flexibility is a producers dream because you can do something different every time,” she stated.

    Asked if the new season will be fresh, fun entertainment, producers Endemol SA are confident of another successful edition.

    “We are delighted with the new concept that has been developed for the upcoming show,” confirms Endemol MD Sivan Pillay.

    “Every year as soon as we know that we are going ahead with a new season, we head into a creative brainstorming session and every year, ideas just go racing around the room. Our teams enjoy the show as much as audiences our audiences do and it shows on screen. And this year, I have a feeling that audiences are going to fall in love with the idea!”

  • AfricaMagic clocks 9

    AfricaMagic clocks 9

    AfricaMagic, the TV brand that has come to define African lifestyle and entertainment clocks nine this month.

    Launched in 2003, AfricaMagic this year refreshed its channel line-up and now has eight dedicated channels on DStv including  AfricaMagic, AfricaMagic Entertainment, AfricaMagic Movies, AfricaMagic Movies 1 and AfricaMagic World. The language focused channel are  AfricaMagic Hausa, AfricaMagic Swahili and AfricaMagic Yoruba.

    Available to different countries and on different DStv bouquets, together the AfricaMagic channels offer a one-stop destination for great African programs across a range of genres – from movies, series and sitcoms to reality shows, celeb news, fashion, music and more.

    Promoting the channel expansion was the dynamic I AM AFRICA advertising campaign which married the stars of AfricaMagic to a message of African pride and then celebrated those exceptional Africans who inspire us all. Underpinning the outreach campaign was a four city tour in which the stars of AfricaMagic were showcased in Accra, Lagos, Lusaka and Nairobi.

    Meanwhile partnership and production were the two key values that drove AfricaMagic this past year.

    The AfricaMagic teams working out of Johannesburg, Nairobi and Lagos continued establishing strong relationships with content suppliers, hosting workshops with industry professionalism Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. The brand was also present at various key film markets such as Discop (South Africa), the Jahazi Film Festival (Zanzibar), the Alaba International Market (Nigeria), the Abuja Film Festival (Nigeria), the Hilly-wood Film Festival (Rwanda)and the Nile’s Diaspora International Film Festival (Uganda)where it actively engaged with the continent’s film and TV community.