THIS appears to be an initiative beyond an empty buzz, as Africans at home and Diaspora appear set to storm Houston, Texas, United State for the second edition of the Golden Icons Academy Movie Award (GIAMA) scheduled for October 19, 2013.
A Sneak preview of the debut edition which held on October 20 at the Morris Cultural Center in Houston recorded a star-studded outing, of a rare selection. And if the assurance by organisers, that veteran actor and Delta State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Richard Mofe Damijo has declared for the award show is anything to go by, then, the show may just be on another jolly ride to enriching its dossier.
Leveraging on the success of the Golden Icons Magazine, publisher of the entertainment magazine and organiser of the award, Bode Ojo has turned Houston into another ‘Mecca’ where celebrities not only look forward to gracing, but also get competitive in fashion and creativity works.
At a recent award ceremony in Washington DC last Saturday, side talks about the next stop for top celebrities rendezvous was the GIAMA and what celebrities will wear to the occasion.
The success of the GIAMA, according to Ojo, “is currently the hottest gist in town, with over 1500 fans/guests present, it was noted that this turnout was one that Houston, the 4th largest city in the US has never seen in a predominantly African-dominated event.”
Ojo revealed that following Jim Iyke’s anchorage of the show last year, there has been jostling for the next emcee spot, and Nollywood lover boy, Ramsey Nouah has been picked as the show host for 2013.
The role call for last edition was explosive, feting A-list celebrity actors and actresses like Ramsey Nouah, Jim Iyke, Van Vicker, Desmond Elliot, John Dumelo, Uche Jombo, Majid Michel, Monalisa Chinda, Emem Isong, Frank Rajah, Susan Peters, Chigozie Atuanya, Uti Nwachukwu, Alex Ekubo, Belinda Effah, Pascal Atuma, Oscar Atuma, Chet Anaekwe, and Olalekan Akintunde among others.
Golden Icon Magazine reported that last year’s award ceremony started with Nollywood Bad-Boy Jim Iyke, arriving in style at the event in a MayBach, with his usual swagger and style, even as MTV Africa was present at the event to cover Iyke’s reality show “Jim Iyke Unscripted” and his hosting of the awards ceremony.
And just so the show can be better and bigger, venue for this year’s outing is the Stafford Center Performing Art Theater in Houston, Texas. The GIAMA organization is promising a captivating show with a great line-up of incredible performers.
GIAMA’s inaugural event filled over a thousand seats with entertainers, international dignities, and movie fans to celebrate the very best in the African film industry especially Nollywood, which hit the CNN profile-chart as the 2nd largest movie Industry in the world. “This year, we raise the standards even higher, with a cutting- edge production, an elaborate theatre hall, and the most sought-after Nigerian actor Rasmey Nouah to host the proceedings,” said Ojo.
The GIAMA boss noted that the show is being supported by Dure Events, Segun Gele, BellaNaija, Arik Airlines, Nollywood Access, Nollywood View, Bashman Entertainment, Naijapals, Jaguda, Sturvs and several other organizations listed on GIAMA’s website.
Efforts by the GIAMA planning committee is said to be mind-boggling. The event was planned by Chioma of Dure Events, a well renowned Event Planner in the United States and Segun Gele, the internationally celebrated make-up and head-gear artist, while the media production was managed by Tosin of T and S Production. Zimbabwean-born Radio Personality based in Canada, MC Bonde did an excellent job with the voice over for the media production.
On the eve of the GIAMA Awards, the Screen Icon Search (SIS) event was held with a sole purpose of identifying and recognizing young and future talents with the right qualities to get into the Nollywood/Ghollywood industry. The SIS was moderated by three top Producers/Directors in the industry Emem Isong (Nigeria), Frank Rajah (Ghana) and Pascal Atruma (USA). The audition was a day long and after hours of auditioning, the top five winners were selected by the moderators, and they were announced during the GIAMA Awards ceremony. Dianne Yekini, who travelled all the way from London to participate in the SIS event emerged the winner. The top three winners are guaranteed a movie deal with Emem, Pascal and Frank. Later in the evening, a welcome party themed “Meet and Greet” was held at the classy location “Signature Manor” to honor the Celebrity guest and Sponsors of the event, and provide an avenue for them to mingle in a most relaxing atmosphere.
