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Tag: NAFCA

  • Ooni of Ife, Ayade, Spike Lee, others for NAFCA honours

    Ooni of Ife, Ayade, Spike Lee, others for NAFCA honours

    His Imperial Majesty, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II (Ooni of Ife), Governor Benedict Ayade,  Richard Mofe Damijo, Spike Lee, Dionne Warwick, Dr. Alexander Cummings, and Floyd Mayweather Jr, are among personalities to be honoured by The Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA)

    Founder and the CEO of Nollywood & African film Critics’ Awards, Victor O. Olatoye, said that over 100 films have been received from filmmakers across Africa and the Diaspora.

    “We are very proud of our filmmakers for the significant improvements we continue to see as we review these films. NAFCA 2016 is going to be our biggest award to date since we moved the award to Hollywood in 2014 and we are partnering with Hollywood producers including over 400 members of the press to spread the word.

    “We also have some dignitaries who will be honored at NAFCA 2015 His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II(Ooni of Ife) , President Ali Bongo and Governor Benedict Ayade of Cross River State. Nollywood will also be represented and so far over 100 A-listers from the African film industry have requested invitations and hundreds from Hollywood,” he said.

    Dry, Boxing Day, Tribe, Mud, Return of the Don and Oxford Garden run away with this year’s nominations as the show holds on Saturday, Sept 17, at the Legendary Orpheum Theater, Los Angeles, California USA.

    NAFCA is an accolade bestowed by the Nollywood Film Critics, USA, a movie review organization for Nollywood and African films to recognize excellence of professionals in the African film industry. The annual formal ceremony started September 16, 2011 in North Carolina, USA.

  • MAYWEATHER’S dad gets NAFCA Entertainment Award

    MAYWEATHER’S dad gets NAFCA Entertainment Award

    A boxer would be celebrated on an entertainment stage, lending credence to the showbiz side of the sport.

    Called Floyd Mayweather Sr., father of rave boxing champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr., has been nominated for the popular Nollywood and Africa  Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA).

    The former, an American boxing trainer and a welterweight contender in the 1980s doubles as the trainer of his son, known for his defensive ability and overall knowledge of boxing strategy.

    President of NAFCA, Victor Olatoye, said the Awards scheme is glad to be celebrating the iconic boxer.

    Mayweather Sr. is not less excited, describing the gesture as overwhelming. “Your letter informing me that I will receive the prestigious Special NAFCA Lifetime Achievement award in Entertainment has simply overwhelmed me. It is with deep gratitude that I accept the honour. I will be present at the award with some family members. I am very grateful for the honour and it is encouraging. I am also very appreciative of those who recommended me for this prestigious award, for the time and effort you have put into this yearly event process.

    “I will of course continue to do my very best and would also be willing to encourage others to get involved and help this award grow.

    “Again, I am sincerely honoured by this recognition and look forward to September,” he wrote to the organisers.

    Mayweather Sr. is known for his outspokenness. He frequently recites poetry about his opponent and still does today for his fighter’s opponent. Some refer to him as the “poet laureate of boxing.”

    Mayweather Sr.’s boxing record was 2861 (18 KOs), and he won the U.S. Championship Tournament in 1977 against Miguel Barreto. Floyd Mayweather Sr. taught Mayweather Jr. to punch when he was still a toddler and he once served as his manager.

    As a trainer, Mayweather preaches defense and a stiff jab. He teaches many of his boxers a defensive technique known as the shoulder roll, in which the fighter uses his front shoulder to deflect blows and limit their impact. He has on many occasions, including HBO’s Mayweather-Hatton 24/7, claimed to be “Floyd Joy Mayweather Sr., ‘The Greatest Trainer of All Time’”.

  • NAFCA award excites Hadiza Umar

    NAFCA award excites Hadiza Umar

    THE name, Hadiza Umar might not ring a bell in the Nigerian showbiz sector, as she is an amazon in the construction industry. However, for her love and support for the entertainment industry and humanity in general, the entrepreneur was recently singled out for honours in the the United States by the Nollywood and African Film Critics Award (NAFCA).

    An architect by calling, Hadiza, who sits atop an indigenous construction company, Hazdokas West Africa Ltd, was bestowed with the award of Outstanding Support to Nollywood and humanity. Receiving her laurel, she expressed gratitude to the oganisers of the event while calling on Nigerian youths to make honesty their watchword. “If you get a job, do it with honesty and diligence! When you do a good job, you get higher responsibility entrusted to you,” she said.

    Hadiza, whose organisation has executed high-powered contracts for government and private organisations, also revealed that she is currently fine-tuning plans to set up an NGO that will help the less privileged in the society.

    Known as The African Oscars, NAFCA is a U.S.-based awards show for achievements in the film industry and The NAFCA Special Honours are awarded to recognise outstanding individuals whose professional careers have been marked by extraordinary personal and professional accomplishments. The 4th edition of the awards was held at the Legendary Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, California, on September 13, 2014.

  • NAFCA takes show to Hollywood

    NAFCA takes show to Hollywood

    •To honour Ooni of Ife, Alakija, others 

    For the first time, an Africa-centered movie award show will take place in Hollywood, California, a celebrated movie hub in the world.

    The show, Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA), according to its founder, Dr. Victor Olatoye, will hold at the legendary Saban Theater, Beverly Hills, California, USA, on Saturday September 13.

    Olatoye who described the show as a glorious dawn, said: “This year’s awards in Hollywood is the biggest to date with dignitaries from around the world gracing the historic event, including A-list Hollywood and Nollywood stars, music stars, diplomats, political figures and over 1500 movie buffs.”

    Speaking highly of the new venue, Olatoye said it will be double celebration in Hollywood, as NAFCA’s event will coincide with the 83rd anniversary of the theater.

    “Our guest will witness the honouring of noble men and women of Africa as we present them with the coveted golden NAFCA trophies. The Saban Theatre accommodates about 1900 people and we are just as excited and honoured to be part of the history of this iconic Beverly Hills landmark, as we join in the celebration of its 83rd anniversary on September 13.”

    He said the choice of the venue is a reflection of the vision of the award scheme for the African cinema. “Looking back at the maiden edition which held at a hotel ballroom in 2011, Carolina Theater in 2012, Warner Theatre in 2013, and now going into the heart of Beverly Hills; it is fair to say we are moving the African cinema forward.”

    Meanwhile, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade has been picked as the first African king to step into the movie city, where he will be honoured with the special NAFCA Legend Award. The award, according to Olatoye, is the highest honour to be bestowed on an individual by NAFCA.

    “Ooni’s historical visit has been attracting a lot of positive interests to this year’s NAFCA Awards. Apart from an African-American cultural group that would welcome the monarch at the airport, the cast of Hollywood’s blockbuster, Coming To America, will equally be on hand to receive him. Also, television stations are booking in advance to have an audience with the highly respected monarch,” Olatoye revealed.

    Also, president of Rose of Sharon Foundation, Chief (Mrs.) Folorunsho Alakija, will be given the NAFCA Humanitarian Award.

  • NAFCA: Being Mrs. Elliot gets 11 nominations

    NAFCA: Being Mrs. Elliot gets 11 nominations

    Following an impressive opening at the Nollywood Week in Paris, France, a few weeks ago, Being Mrs Elliot, the highly anticipated first movie from Nollywood star, Omoni Oboli, has received 11 nominations at the Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) in California, USA.

    For Omoni, the nomination of her movie in 11 categories is a big deal as she prepares to go to cinema soon.

    The movie got nominations in the Best Film, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Screenplay, Best Editing, Best Costume, Best Actor in a Lead Role, Best Actress in a Lead Role, Best Actor in a Supporting Role, Best Actress in a Supporting Role, and Best Director categories, making it the movie with the highest nominations.

    An elated Omoni, who was also nominated in two categories, said that getting 11 nominations at the NAFCA is a big boost to the movie, considering the fact that it is her first movie. “It goes to show that people are aware of what we do and appreciate us. 11 nominations is a big deal for me; let’s hope we come home with the 11 awards,” she said.

    Being Mrs. Elliot is the story of a successfully married woman, who is torn between two worlds after a life-changing incident. She finds out that the best life has to offer is not things but moments.

  • NAFCA announces nominees

    The organisers of the Nollywood & African Film Critics’ Awards (NAFCA) have announced nominees for the 2014 edition of the awards. The ceremony scheduled for Saturday September 13 will be held at The Saban Theatre, Beverly Hills, USA.

    To be hosted by Stella Damasus, the awards ceremony sees Nigerian actors and actresses going head-to-head in the various categories. Scooping major awards are Omoni Oboli and her movie, Being Mrs. Elliot as well as  Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Ramsey Nouah, Majid Michel, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Last Flight to Abuja, Half of a Yellow Sun, Joseph Benjamin and Chika Ike.

    Commonly known as The African Oscars,  the organisers seek to, among other things, confer special honours on outstanding individuals whose professional careers have been marked by extraordinary personal and professional accomplishments.

    NAFCA, which was first presented in 2011 at the RTP Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham North Carolina, is overseen by the Nollywood Film Critics, USA.

    Only recently, the Ooni of Ife, His Royal Majesty, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, received the organisers of NAFCA at his palace in Ile Ife, Osun State.

    Led by NAFCA’s CEO, Dr Victor Olatoye, the organisers had come to formally invite the monarch to attend this year’s awards ceremony in the United States, where he will be honoured with the Special NAFCA Legend Award. The award is the highest honour that NAFCA can bestow on an individual.

  • Nollywood shines at the NAFCA

    Nollywood shines at the NAFCA

    FOR the Nollywood and African Film Critics Awards (NAFCA) which held last weekend in Washington DC, filmmakers of Nigerian descent led the winners chart. The outcome justified the huge position which movies, filmmakers and outstanding entertainment industry icons had occupy in the nomination list released prior to the award show.

    Apart from the Best Film award being clinched by Cameroonian flick, Ninah’s Dowry, Nollywood’s Genevieve Nnaji and Ramsey Nouah who were unavoidably absent at the show clinched the Best Actress and Best Actor categories respectively, through the flick ‘Weekend Getaway’.

    The legendary Warner Theatre shone that night with a celebrity red carpet that started as early as 5pm. Side attractions at the show included a stage drama, dance and musical performances.

    The show was anchored by Nollywood actors Benedict Johnson and Moses Efret and had actors, filmmakers and society celebrities from Africa, the UK and most parts of the United States.

    CEO of NAFCA, Dr. Victor Olatoye expressed gratitude to everyone who believed in the project and who had come from far and wide to be part of the show. He noted that he had lived with the dream of making the African film industry a better one through the reward initiative that tends to critique the creativity of the filmmakers. He said his organisation is poised for growth and will ensure that there is a bigger and better event in subsequent years.

    On the Diaspora category of the award, Ghanian actress Jackie Appiah Nigeria’s Igoni Archibong won the Best Actress and Best Actor laurels respectively for their lead roles in ‘Turning Point’, a film produced and directed by Niyi Towolawi and co-produced by Egor Efiok. This category also awarded ‘One Night in Vegas’ the Best Film laurel.

    The show had engaged celebrities for three days in Washington DC, starting with a film summit on Friday September 13 and rounding off with a celebrity boat cruise on Sunday, September 15, 2013. The after party sessions on Friday and Saturday nights were another aspect of the ceremonies that brought fanfare to show.

    The roll call of celebrities at the award include Robert Peters, John Dumelo, Majid Michel, Igoni Archibong, Vitalis Ndubusi, Efret Moses, Benedict Johnson, Lilian Back, Niyi Towolawi, Jennifer Oguzie and Elvis Chuks among others.

    Other winners include Best Drama Diaspora Film, ‘Unguarded’; Best Screenplay Diaspora Film, ‘Page 36’; Best Cinematography Diaspora Film, ‘Le Silence Pure’; Best Actor in Supporting role Diaspora Film, Jimmy Jean Louis-One Night in Vegas; Best Actress in supporting role Diaspora Film, KD Aubert-Turning Point; and Best Director in Diaspora Film, Agomuoh for ‘Ungurded’.

    In the general category,the other winning films include: Best Indigenous Film, ‘The Hands of Fate’; BEST DRAMA, ‘Weekend Getaway’; BEST COMEDY, ‘American Mama’, Best Short Film / Trailer, ‘Fetus’; Best Sound, ‘Turning Point’; Best Visual Effects, ‘Temperamental’; Best Costume, ‘Le Silence Pure’; Best Makeup, ‘The Blessed Curse’; Best Original Score, ‘America The True Dream-The Fetus’; Best Docu-Drama, ‘Boys Cry-Bullying’; Best Child Actor in a Film, Marisha Nayee-Angel & the Mailman; Best Actress in a supporting role, Ini Edo; Best Actor in a Supporting, Kofi Adjorlolo; Best Director in a Film, Charles Novia-Alan ; Best Screenplay, ‘Letters to My Mother’; Best Cinematography, ‘One Night in Vegas; BEST TV/ONLINE SERIES, ‘African Connection’ and Best Editing, ‘Ninah’s Dowry’.

    In the NAFCA People’s Choice category,the most favorite actors is Benedict Johnson, while Favorite Actress is Fatima Jabbe. Others are Favorite Director, Kunle Afolayan; Favorite Screenwriter, Andrew Campbell; Favorite Male Artiste Diaspora, Koby Maxwell; Favorite Female Artiste Diaspora, Twissa; Favorite Artiste of the Year, Yemi Sax; Favorite Song of the Year, ‘Ashawo’ by Flavour; and Favorite Video of the Year, ‘Personally’ by P Square.

     

  • Nigerians top African Oscars nominees list

    Nigerians top African Oscars nominees list

    The popular Warner Theatre, Washington DC will be shaken to its foundation in what promoters call the African award show of all times. With a few months to go, plans are on to hold the third edition of the Nollywood African Film Critics Award (NAFCA), otherwise called the African Oscars. Dr. Victor O. Olatoye, President and CEO of NAFCA, said judging from the flurry of African stars, blockbuster movies and filmmakers that make the nomination list, the competition this year, is undoubtedly tough.

    He revealed that the jury members are already at work in decided the films and actors that will come tops in each category, and that winners will be announced live on September 14th at a red-carpet event, taking place at the legendary Warner Theatre.

    Warner Theater, it would be noted is a venue for prestigious events in America and home to The BET Honors ceremony which holds annually. Olatoye is excited that the 3rd edition of NAFCA will become history in several fronts. According to the CEO of the award show: “This is history in the making as this is the first African film award to be held at this legendary American Theater. This year’s award will be our biggest to date and with long list of VIP guests from all works of life to grace this historic occasion, including A list African movie stars, Hollywood, Ambassadors, political figures, musicians, dignitaries and over 1500 Nollywood fans from across the globe” Our guest will witness the honoring of noble men and women of Africa as we present them with the coveted golden NAFCA trophies. Warner Theatre seats about 1900 people and we are just as excited as the people at the Warner Theater and it is an honor to become part of the Warner Brothers history. This venue reflects the vision Nollywood and African Film Critics’ Awards also known as the African Oscars has for the African Cinema. Looking back at the first award in 2011 at a hotel ballroom to Carolina Theater, now we are going to Warner Theater, it is fair to say “We have come a long way baby”

    This year’s award, he said, promises to be the biggest ever and will be graced by African dignitaries, diplomats and business leaders.

    The recently released nominees list shows that Nigerian films and acts are ahead of their counterparts in Africa.

    Nominated in eight categories, including Best Film, Best Drama, Best Comedy, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay and Best Editing Best Actress in leading role is Beverly Naya and Best Director in a Film is Charles Novia through his 2012 comic flick, Alan Poza.

    With an equally impressive outing is Turning Point a film by Niyi Towolawi which also bags nominations in eight categories including Best Sound, Best Drama Diaspora Film, Best Screenplay Diaspora Film, Best Cinematography Diaspora Film, Best Actor in leading role Diaspora Film (Igoni Archibong), Best Actress in leading role Diaspora (Jackie Appiah), Best Actor in Supporting role Diaspora Film (Ernie Hudson), Best Actress in supporting role Diaspora Film (KD Hubert)

    To spice up the evening, Olatoye revealed that there will be a celebration of African cinema heritage where special recognition would be presented to deserving veterans in the industry. Established in 2011 by NAFCA to grace the lives and achievements of African luminaries, Olatoye said that the honorary awards aims at recognising the overall career contributions and achievements, rather than a single contributions of an individual.

    Among those billed for the Lifetime Achievement Awards is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan and the President of the Republic of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Image Awards, according to the organizer will also go to the First Lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, Amobi Okoye – Humanitarian (USA), Curtis Jackson – Humanitarian (USA) and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal.