Afrinolly Awards Happened For A Reason

“I will definitely re-invest the money into another project”, Florian Schott, the Namibian whose short film ‘Everything Happens for  a Reason’ which won the biggest film-making prize in the Afrinolly Short Film Competition replied to the question I posed to him on how he intends to spend the fifteen thousand dollars reward that accompanied the plaque.

“… It’s a start up money for a future project …” he continued while grinning from ear to ear like a child who just received his biggest birthday gift.

But he wasn’t the only one who seemed very happy; there were others too like Daniel Effiong, whose entry “Crimson – your cup of tea” won him two awards – the second place, accompanied with a cheque for ten thousand dollars, and the Komla Dumor prize for storytelling. I watched him prance about with his awards like a hunter that was proudly showing off his kill while some photographers and reporters approached him. And there was Gbenga Salu, the third place winner, whose lips became too small to cover his teeth as they shone brightly while he took pictures with some of the cast of his winning entry “10:10”, and Ronke Ogunmakin who won second place for her documentary “Awele’s Diary”. She seemed a top contender for the widest ‘teeth-shining’ smile of the night as she struck different poses on the yellow carpet with her giant sized ten thousand dollars cheque.

There were other winners too, like Abiola Sobo whose film “In Iredu” won for “Best Use of Animation”,  Ejim Fortune who won ‘The Best Cinematography” award with his entry “The Stranger”, Frank Orji whose film ‘Busted’ won for ‘Best Picture’, Michael Asuelime, the youngest winner of the night, whose role in ‘Big Man’ got him the Best Performance Award, and Victor Okoye,  whose entry “Creative Minds”  won him first place  in the Documentary Category. But these ones had restrained emotions as I could not decipher the depth of their happiness from their facial expressions.

Whether their joy was visible or not, the attention fixated on them by the organizers, paparazzi and other attendees evidently showed that they were the stars of the night, which was reiterated by Chike Maduegbuna, the CEO of Afrinolly in his closing remark, “… There are no actors here; it’s about film-makers …”

I am sure he was answering the silent question on my mind on the dearth of Nollywood Stars in attendance.

In spite of the absence of most heavyweights from Nollywood, the event tagged ‘Lions Rising’ did not disappoint even though it was lacking in the usual razzmatazz that accompanied award ceremonies. Guests were dressed to the nines in their black-tie outfits, as demanded on the invite, except for a few who stubbornly wore their native attires.

There was plenty to eat and drink, and a live band that included Ben Ogbowei, the Project Fame music instructor, as they serenaded our ears with beautiful musical renditions.

The only person who appeared to be missing from the fun was Ng’endo Mukii the Kenyan who came second in the Documentary Category as he took to tweeter and tweeted ‘yo, I wish I could go!! The flight is expensive and I’m at the end of a pitch for a grant!! Ahhhhhh……. I weep!’

I know that feeling, but I am sure ten thousand dollars will be more than enough to wipe off the tears from his face.

Going by the sights and sounds of the night, the Afrinolly competition in its second outing did not do badly and I say more grease to their elbow as they keep empowering and motivating young film-makers of African descent.

The Afrinolly Competition winners were announced earlier this year and on February 22nd, 2014 an award ceremony was held in honor of all the winners and entrants. NR’s Richard Odilu was live at the event and the above was his report. Thank you to Afrinolly and MTN as well as all others involved.

WINNERS LISTED BELOW!

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First Prize ($25,000)                     Everything Happens for a Reason by Florian Schott

Second Prize ($10,000)                 Crimson – Your Cup of Tea by Daniel Etim Effiong

Third Prize ($5,000)                     10:10 by Gbenga Salu

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First Prize ($25,000)                     Creative Minds by Victor Okoye

Second Prize ($10,000)                 Awele’s Diary by Ronke Ogunmakin

Third Prize ($5,000)                      Yellow Fever by Ng’endo Mukii

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The Komla Dumor Award for Storytelling: Crimson – Your Cup of Tea by Daniel Etim Effiong

Best Cinematography: The Strangers by Ejim Fortune

Best Animation: In Iredu by Abiola Sobo

Best Picture: Busted by Frank Orji

Best Performance: Michael Asuelime

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