Increase in entries for AMAA's

Dr. Asantewa Olantunji, director of programming of The Pan African Film Festival, will head this year's jury, which includes June Giavanni, programmer for Planet Africa at The Toronto International Film Festival; Keith Shiri, founder and film curator at the London festival, Africa at The Pictures; Dorothee Wenner, a curator at The Berlin Film Festival; Shaibu Husseini, an actor, dancer and The Nigerian Guardian arts journalist; Steve Ayorinde, editor-in-chief of The Daily Mirror; Ayoko Babu, executive director of The Pan African Film Festival; Dr. Hyginus Ekwuazi, a film scholar and critic; and directors Berni Goldblat and John Akomfrah, OBE.

Husseini, chair of AMAA's College of Screeners, said, "The growing awareness of AMAA, the integrity of its screening process, the global recognition that comes with winning and the opportunities afforded winners has given rise to an increase in entries. Among other benefits, winning at The AMAAs enhances the reputation and visibility of any filmmaker in Africa and helps their marketing and financial drives."

Naomi Lucas, head of AMAA's Business Development Unit, says, "One of AMAA's key objectives is to unite Africa through film, so the choice of Gambia affirms AMAA's positioning as a pan-African event. It also offers guests an exotic experience to explore the beauty and splendor of a West African country that has become one of the most important tourist destinations in the world."

The nominees will be announced on Saturday, 17 March 2012, in Banjul, Gambia, at a ceremony attended by celebrities, top government officials and capitals of industry from Gambia and other African countries. The award ceremony, to be hosted by Heroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis, wil take place in Lagos, Nigeria on 22 April 2012.

For more, go to www.ama-awards.com