The 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) concluded with a grand celebration of African cinema, as Nollywood films Jagun Jagun and The Weekend won top accolades. Held on November 2 at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Lagos, the 20th edition of AMAA was hosted by seasoned actor Segun Arinze and Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas, drawing industry heavyweights from across the continent. Since its establishment in 2005, AMAA has showcased and rewarded African talent, and this year’s edition was no exception.

The Weekend, directed by Daniel Oriahi, was a standout, winning the coveted Best Film award, along with Achievement in Cinematography. Jagun Jagun, a Yoruba-language film directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo, also took home significant awards, including Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Femi Adebayo, whose performance wowed audiences.

Here is the full list:

BEST FILM
•    The Weekend — WINNER
•    Under The Hanging Tree
•    This is Lagos
•    A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
•    Orah
•    Letters to Goddo
•    The Queenstown Kings

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
•    Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings) — WINNER
•    Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
•    Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
•    Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
•    Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
•    Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
•    Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
•    Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet) — WINNER
•    Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
•    Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
•    Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
•    Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
•    Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
•    Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
 

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
•    Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun) — WINNER
•    Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
•    Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
•    Keppy Ekpeyong-Bassey (The Weekend)
•    Ikechukwu Onunaku (This is Lagos)
•    Lucky Ejim (Orah)
•    Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
•    Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi) — WINNNER
•    Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
•    Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
•    Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
•    Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
•    Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
•    Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)
 

BEST DIRECTOR
•    Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings) — WINNER
•    Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
•    Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
•    Perivi Katjavivi (Under The Hanging Tree)
•    Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
•    Harry Bentil ( Letters To Goddo)
•    Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)
 

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
•    The Weekend — WINNER
•    Nawi
•    Kipkemboi
•    Letters to Goddo
•    This is Lagos
•    The Queenstown Kings
•    A Smile, A Wink and A Tear
 

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
•    Mai Martaba – WINNER
•    The Beads
•    The Weekend
•    White and Black
•    Jagun Jagun
•    The Queenstown Kings
•    Out of Breath

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND
•    The Queenstown Kings — WINNER
•    A Smile, A Wink and a Tear
•    The Weekend
•    Under the Hanging Tree
•    Boda Love
•    Kipkemboi
•    Boda Love

ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
•    Out of Breath — WINNER
•    Orah
•    The Queenstown Kings
•    The Weekend
•    Jagun Jagun
•    Kipkemboi
•    Makula

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP
•    Jagun Jagun — WINNER
•    The Weekend
•    Nawi
•    Letters to Goddo
•    Out of Breath
•    Anjola
•    White and Black

ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY
•    The Weekend — WINNER
•    Under The Hanging Tree
•    Letter To Goddo
•    This is Lagos
•    Boda love
•    The Queenstown Kings
•    Out of Breath

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT
•    Jagun Jagun — WINNER
•    Kipkemboi
•    Under The Hanging Tree
•    The Weekend
•    Bokwagter
•    Out of Breath

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK
•    Boda Love – WINNER
•    The Weekend
•    Under the Hanging Tree
•    The Queenstown Kings
•    Orah
•    Mojisola
•    Red Carpet
 

ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING
•    Under The Hanging Tree — WINNER
•    The Weekend
•    This is Lagos
•    Nawi
•    Kipkemboi
•    The Beads
•    Anjola

BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR
•    Michell Lemuya (Nawi) — WINNER
•    Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
•    Agape mngomezulu (Orah)
•    William Dias (Bokwagter)
•    Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
•    Ruby Akubueze (She)
•    Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)

BEST DOCUMENTARY
•    The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique) – WINNER
•    A Quand L’Afrique (Congo Brazzaville)
•    The Return Train (Mali)
•    Gateway To Dreams (Cameroon)
•    Rainbow Nation (South Africa)
•    Dela- The Making of EL-Anatsui (Nigeria)
•    Donga (Libya)
•    Rising Up At Night (DRC)

BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM
•    The Neighbourhood Alert (USA) – WINNER
•    Bottled Up (Jamaica)
•    The Golden Boy (USA)

BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY
•    The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA) – WINNER
•    A Rising Tide (USA)
•    Colour (USA)

NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NFVCB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM
•    The Weekend — WINNER
•    This is Lagos
•    Afamefuna
•    Jagun Jagun
•    Mai Martaba
•    A Smile, A wink and a tear
•    Out of Breath

JUBRIL MALAFIA AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION
•    Counter Punch (Kenya) – WINNER
•    Heavy Crown (Libya)
•    Journey of the Legend (Cameroon)
•    Hadu (Nigeria)
•    Between Paya and Koulou (Senegal)
•    Oya (The goddess of gods) (Nigeria)
•    Set Pieces (Sudan)

BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE
•    Outlaw Posse (USA) – WINNER
•    Mickey Hardaway (USA)
•    Love After Holidays (USA)

EFERE OZAKO AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM
•    The Last Shoe Maker (Uganda) – WINNER
•    Seben (Mali)
•    Dear Future Wife (South Africa)
•    Isolated (Nigeria)
•    Joia (Angola)
•    Strike A Blow And Die (Malawi)
•    Don’t Call Me Beautiful (Ghana)
•    Sins Of A Father (Zimbabwe/USA)

MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD
•    Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK) – WINNER
•    Out Of Breath (Nigeria/UK)
•    Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
•    Isolated (Nigeria/UK)
•    Kipkemboi (Nigeria/ Canada)

OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE
•    The Queenstown Kings (South Africa) – WINNER
•    Makula (Uganda)
•    Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
•    Kaka (Nigeria)
•    Eskhalemi Sikantombella (South Africa)
•    Unheard (Uganda)
•    Out of Breath (Nigeria)

BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR
•    LETTERS TO GODDO (Harry Bentil) — WINNER
•    RISING UP AT NIGHT (Nelson Makengo)
•    SHE (Seun Richards)

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
•    Souleymane Cisse (Mali)
•    Nacer Khemir (Tunisia)
•    Haile Gerima (Ethiopia)

SPECIAL RECOGNITION
•    Alain Gomis (Senegal/Gabon)
•    Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe)
 

The star-studded evening celebrated African film achievements, with special recognition awards going to Alain Gomis (Senegal/Gabon) and Tsitsi Dangarembga (Zimbabwe) for their significant contributions to African storytelling.

This year’s AMAA winners list highlights the vibrancy of African cinema, with talents from across the continent and diaspora receiving honours. As the awards closed, it was clear that African filmmakers continue to captivate global audiences with their dynamic storytelling and artistry.