With four laurels, including best feature film, best screenplay, best director and best actor in a lead role, Izu Ojukwu’s critically acclaimed 76 bested others at the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) Globe Award held at the Convention Centre, Eko Hotels & Suites on Saturday night.
The film, which is based on the aborted 1976 military coup in Nigeria, continued the good run which saw it emerged as one of the best Nollywood movies screened at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in September.
Anchored by actors Uti Nwachukwu and Kemi Lala-Akindoju, the AFRIFF Globe Award featured Broadway performance by Gideon Okeke, Adesua Etomi, A’Rese and others who reenacted the life and times of late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Personalities at the award include former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Information, Steve Ayorinde; CEO of Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) Peace Anyiam-Osigwe; President, Directors Guild of Nigeria, Fred Amata; MultiChoice West Africa Regional Director, Wangi Mba-Uzokwu, and Managing Director, BAM Productions, Biola Alabi.
Others are Kunle Afolayan, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Rita Dominic, Genevieve Nnaji, Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Nouah, Ayo Makun, Toni Tones, Hilda Dokubo, Kiki Omeili, Deyemi Okanlawon, Blessing Egbe, Bez Idakula and Bovi.
List of winners
Audience choice award: Slow Country by Eric Aghimien
Best student short film: King of Guangzhou by Quester Hannah
Best animation film: Agorkoli by Francis Yushau Brown
Best short film: Lodgers by Kemi Ogunlola
Best Documentary: No Where to Run by Dan McCain
Best female lead: Bimbo Akintola for 93 Days
Best male lead: Ramsey Nouah for 76
Special mention: Somkele Idhalama for 93 Days and Ifeanyi Dike Jr for Green White Green.
Best screenplay: Emmanuel Okomanyi and Izu Ojukwu for 76
Best director: Izu Ojukwu for 76
Best Nigerian film: Green White Green by Abba T. Makama
Special jury prize: Vaya by Akin Omotosho
Best feature: 76 by Izu Ojukwu
