Nollywood Movies Awards (NMA) - Nominees & Winners

The first ever edition of the Nollywood Movie Awards finally took place on Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

According to the organisers, ‘The essence of the awards is to celebrate Nollywood movies and the Nigerian culture within and outside the shores of the country‘.

The event, which started with a red carpet, officially began at 10pm, with an impressive turnout of Nollywood actors and actresses, unlike the nomination party, which had very few guests.

Comedian Julius Agwu and actress Kate Henshaw were the hosts for the night, engaging the guests in an interactive session, with a blend of comedy from Agwu himself. W4 and an upcoming artiste Lolo were the performers for the event.

One of the highlights of the event was when Julius asked Jeffrey Daniels (formerly of Shalamar) his age, due to his youthful appearance. 56 year old Jeffrey, who was on stage to present an award, was reluctant, but eventually told the guests.

Other presenters included Kunle Afolayan, Omotola Jalade, O.C Ukeje, FAB publisher Babajide Familusi, Susan Peters, Channel O VJ Derenle Edun, and others.

Veteran producer Mahmud Ali Balogun’s yet to be released flick ‘Tango with Me‘ won five awards, including best actor, best movie, best director, best cinematographer and best sound design. A visibly excited Balogun said, ‘I am grateful to God, my wife and daughter for their support, my friends, cast and  crew, my fans and organisers. I am indeed very grateful.’

Obi Emelonye of ‘Mirror Boy’ was the first winner of the night for best costume design. While receiving his award, he said I’m so happy to be the recipient of the first ever NMA. Thank you so much for this.’ The movie went on to win a total of three awards at the event.

Actor Gabriel Afolayan, who clinched two awards for his part in the Da Grin biopic said, ‘ I want to thank God for this award and the entire Ade Love Family for this. I also want to thank my brother Kunle Afolayan, Brother mi o sen ri o, I am very grateful to everyone who believed in me.’

Meanwhile, actress Mercy Johnson beat out colleagues Omotola Jalade Ekeinde,Genevieve Nnaji, Omoni Oboli and newly wedded Uche Jumbo to clinch the award for best actress in a lead role with ‘Weeping Tears’

The best actor in a lead role went to Joseph Benjamin in ‘Tango with me’

The Life time achievement award was given to Nollywood veteran film maker Mr. Kenneth Nnebue, the producer of ‘Living in Bondage.’ According to the organisers, ‘It was a well deserved award, as the veteran opened the doors of opportunities to the then movie industry, now Nollywood.’

The award ceremony, which had some technical difficulties with the sound during the show, was attended by Nollywood icons such as Omotola Jalade, Rachael Oniga, Tunde Kelani, DJ Abass, Charles Okafor, Charles Novia, Rukky Sanda, Beverely Naya, Stella Damasus, Kunle and Gabriel Afoloyan, Femi Adebayo, Sammy Okposo, Mercy Aigbe, and many more.

WINNERS LIST

Best Movie
Mirror Boy
Anchor Baby
Private Storm
Memories Of The Heart
Tango With Me – Winner
Kiss And Tell

Best Actor In A Leading Role
Van Vicker (Against The Law)
Ramsey Nouah (Private Storm)
Trybson Dudukoko (Ghetto Dreamz)
Joseph Benjamin (Tango With Me) – Winner
Joseph Benjamin (Kiss And Tell)
Charles Okafor (Fake Prophet)

Best Actor In A Supporting Role
Junior Pope Odumodoh (Nkwocha)
John Dumelo (Private Storm)
Yul Edochie (Against The Law)
Gabriel Afolayan (Ghetto Dreamz) – Winner

Best Actress In A Leading Role
Genevieve Nnaji (Tango With Me)
Omoni Oboli (Anchor Baby)
Mercy Johnson (Weeping Soul) – Winner
Uche Jumbo (Damage)
Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde (Private Storm)

Best Actress In A Supporting Role
Tina Mba (Tango With Me)
Rachel Oniga (Ghetto Dreamz)
Stella Damasus (Bent Arrows)
Nse Ikpe-Etim (Kiss And Tell) – Winner

Best Actor In An Indigenous Movie (Non-English Speaking Language)
Chiwetalu Agu (Nkwocha) – Winner
Yinka Qadri (Aye Dudu)
Saidi Balogun (Eti Keta)
Brown Igboegwu (Apparition)
Femi Adebayo (Emi Abata)
Odunlade Adekola (Ikuforiji)

Best Actress In An Indigenous Movie (Non-English Speaking Language)
Funke Akindele (Emi Abata)
Funke Akindele (The Return of Jenifa) – Winner
Queen Nwokoye (Nkwocha)
Mercy Aigbe (Oladunjoye)
Dupe Adejare (Alantaku)

Best Indigenous Language Movie (Non-English Speaking Language)
Eti Keta
Ikuforiji
Nkwocha
Apparition
Aye Dudu – Winner
Oladunjoye

Best Directing

Mahmood Ali-Balogun (Tango With Me) – Winner
Obi Emelonye (Mirror Boy)
Lancelot Oduwa-Imasuen (Private Storm)
Daniel Ademinokan (Ghetto Dreamz)
Desmond Elliot (Kiss And Tell)

Best Cinematography
Mirror Boy
Private Storm
Changing Faces
Anchor Baby
Tango With Me – Winner
Kiss And Tell

Best Movie Editing
Mirror Boy – Winner
Anchor Baby
Ghetto Dreamz
Return Of Jenifa
Changing Faces
Memories Of The Heart

Best Movie Soundtrack
Bent Arrows
Mirror Boy
Ghetto Dreamz – Winner
Changing Faces
Memories Of The Heart
Tango With Me

Best Sound Editing
Tango With Me – Winner
Private Storm
Apparition
Anchor Baby
Mirror Boy
Ghetto Dreamz

Best Original Screenplay/Scriptwriting
Obi Emelonye (Mirror Boy)
Ugezu J Ugezu (Against The Law)
Daniel Ademinokan & Ope Banwo (Ghetto Dreamz)
Uduak Isong Oguamanam (Kiss And Tell)
Lonzo Nzekwe (Anchor Baby) – Winner
Chinwe Sele (Soul After Soul)

Best Costume Design

Mirror Boy – Winner
Ghetto Dreamz
Tango With Me
Apparition
Entrapped* (Chiemela Nwagbaoso)

Best Make-Up
Ghetto Dreamz
Tango With Me
Apparition
Mirror Boy* (Gabriel Okorie) – Winner
Damage* (Temisan Isioma Etsede)

Rising Star Award Female
Halima Abubakar (Entrapped)
Helen Paul (The Return Of Jenifa)
Nuella Njubigbo (Apparition)
Sylvia Oluchi (Bent Arrows) – Winner
Gabriel Afolayan (Ghetto Dreamz)
Chinyere Madubuike Kosi (Apparition)

Rising Star Male
Gabriel Afolayan (Ghetto Dreamz)

Viewer’s Choice Award Male Actor

Ramsey Noauh

Viewer’s Choice Award Female
Genevieve Nnaji

Life Time Achievement Award
Kenneth Nnebue (Living in Bondage)

Kate Henshaw and Stella Damusus

Uti Nwachukwu and Beverly Nay

Susan Peters, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde and Derenele

Uche Jombo and a guest

Rukky Sanda and Derenle Edun

Monalisa Chinda

Tunde Kelani

FAB and wife

Osita Iheme presenting award for Best Rising Star Male Actor

Kunle Afolayan

Julius Agwu & Okey Bakasi on stage

Charles Novia

Gabriel Afolayan receiving his award

W4