As preparation for the 2012 edition of African Movie Academy Awards gets to top gear the award organisation has received 328 entries from filmmakers across Africa.

Giving the details of the entries, Chairman of AMAA's College of Screeners, Mr. Shuaib Hussein said his team of screeners are currently in camp to work on the entries ahead of nominations that will be announced in Banjul, capital of Gambia at a big ceremony that will be attended by celebrities, top government officials and captains of industry in Gambia and other African countries on 17th March, 2012.

Mr. Hussein who gave the breakdown of the entries said the AMAA regional offices in Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Nairobi received 328 total entries as follows: short film 88 entries, 57 documentaries, 43 entries from Africans in Diaspora, 6 animations and 134 features films from Nigeria, Ghana, Tanzania, Namibia, Guinnea, Senegal, South Africa, Kenya, Cameroun, Uganda, Algeria, Egypt and Zimbabwe among others.

Over 20 films were submitted from Ghana including indigenous films. For the first time, AMAA received 6 indigenous films from Ghana.

On the increase in entries this year over previous years, Mr. Hussein noted that filmmakers and allied practitioners in Africa have accepted the award as their own coupled with the fact that winning at AMAA has become a career-defining moment.

‘’The growing awareness of AMAA and the fact that filmmakers are becoming aware of the need to put their works up for mention has given rise to more participation at AMAA awards. Winning at AMAA enhances reputation of any filmmaker in Africa and helps their marketing and financial drive among other benefits. Besides AMAA is the only big thing now in Africa and so only a mention put a filmmaker’s game running,’’ he said.

Also speaking on the nomination event, Naomi Lucas, Head Business Development of AMAA said that the choice of Gambia this year is to offer a new experience for celebrities and motion picture practitioners to explore the beauty and splendor of the West Africa country that has become one of the most important tourist destinations in the world.

“Many of our people are used to going to Europe and America for events and they know little about this beautiful continent. One of the objectives of AMAA is to unite Africa and celebrate our diversity. Previous nomination events have been held in South Africa, Ghana, Kenya and Burkina Faso,’’ She enthused.