South African Charlie Vundla scooped Best Director and his debut, film noir thriller How 2 Steal 2 Million, was named Best Film at the eight Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), held last night, 22 April 2012, at The Expo Centre, Eko Hotel & Suite in Lagos, Nigeria. South African actress Terry Pheto was named Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, which also won Best Achievement in Editing (Garreth Fradgely). With four awards, How 2 Steal 2 Million was the most awarded film on the night.

Nigeria’s Benin-set historical epic Adesuwa was a close second with three awards, for Costume Design, Visual Effects, and Best Nigerian Film.

South Africa’s crime drama State of Violence won Best Film in an African Language and Best Achievement in Sound.

Man on Ground, a Nigerian/South African xenophobia-themed coproduction, won the Special Jury Award – given for only the third time since the inception of AMAA – and Best Supporting Actor for South African Fana Mokoena.

Nigeria’s Rita Dominic was named Best Actress for her role in Kenyan film Shattered, while Ghanaian Majid Michel won Best Actor for his role in Somewhere in Africa. Danny Glover’s Toussaint Louverture was named Best Diaspora Film.

Nigeria was the most awarded country on the night, receiving 12 awards, followed closely by South Africa with 10.

AMAA received 328 entries from across Africa in 2012, up from 220 in 2011. Dr. Asantewa Olantunji, director of programming of The Pan African Film Festival, headed this year’s jury, which included 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.

As the jury statement said, “This year may prove to be the beginning of a new era for AMAA. Not only did AMAAwitness an unprecedented number of film submissions, from more countries throughout the African continent and its Diaspora, it also witnessed a remarkable increase in the quality of the films submitted. From their technical qualities to the acting and directing, the 2012 film slate is most impressive. Indeed, for the jury, the task of selecting the “Best” in each category has been challenging. The competition in most categories was very strong and our decisions reflect much thought and debate. The jury is also impressed by the quality and diversity of the storylines of the films presented. The decolonization of African films and images is well underway. As never before, we see films that tell real stories: inspired by, reflective of and crafted by the people, by whom and for whom they were made.”

Some of the biggest names from black Hollywood were at The AMAAs, including Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee Lynn Whitfield (The JosephineBaker Story and Without a Trace); Morris Chestnut (American Horror Story, Boyz in the Hood); Rockmond Dunbar (Prison Break, Sons of Anarchy) and Maya Gilbert (General Hospital, Days of Our Lives).

Heroes star Jimmy Jean-Louis hosted the prestigious awards, which included performancesfrom Asa, 2Face Idibia and Senegal’s Viviane Ndour.

Only films produced and released between December 2010 and December 2011 were eligible.

All the nominees, with winners in bold:

AMAA 2011 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM 1. State Of Violence – South Africa 2. Adesuwa – Nigeria 3. Otelo Burning – South Africa 4. Rugged Priest – Kenya 5. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU4NgNSbi-U) 6. Ties That Bind – Ghana 7. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST SHORT FILM 1. Jamaa – Uganda 2. Look Again – Kenya 3. Maffe Tiga – Guinea 4. Braids On Bald Head – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxXtql9eIzI) 5. Hidden Life – South Africa 6. Mwansa The Great – Zimbabwe 7. Chumo – Tanzania 8. The Young Smoker – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY 1. African Election – Nigeria/Germany (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FC_6PDuJRXs) 2. Beyond The Deadly Pit – Rwanda 3. Awa Ogbe: An African Adventure – Algeria 4. Dear Mandela – South Africa 5. White& Black; Crime And Colour – Tanzania 6. The Niger Delta Struggle – Ghana 7. There Is Nothing Wrong With My Uncle –Nigeria 8. How Much Is Too Much – Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA FEATURE 1. Toussaint Louverture – Senegal/Guadalupe (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m415YfsUBQs) 2. Ghett’a Life – Jamaica 3. High Chicago – Canada 4. Elza – Guadalupe 5. Better Mus’ Come – Jamaica 6. Kinyanrwanda – USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY 1. The Education Of Auma Obama – Germany 2. White Wash – USA 3. Almendron Mi Corazon – Guadalupe 4. All Me: The Life And Times Of Winfred Hubert – USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIASPORA (SHORT FILM) 1. John Doe – USA 2. White Sugar In A Black Pot -USA 3. The Lost One -USA

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ANIMATION 1. The Legend on Ngong Hills – Kenya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuAHyx3iY1s) 2. Oba – Nigeria 3. Climate Change is Real – Kenya 4. Egu – South Africa 5. Nauliza – Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD 1. Mystery Of Birds – USA/Nigeria 2. Housemates – UK/Nigeria 3. Ben Kross – Italy/Nigeria 4. Paparazzi Eye In The Dark – USA/Nigeria/Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN 1. Somewhere in Africa – Ghana 2. Phone Swap – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OC_un9NgnG0) 3. Otelo Burning – South Africa 4. Adesuwa – Nigeria 5. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN 1. The Captain Of Nakara – Kenya 2. Adesuwa – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5oF3D8t8M0) 3. Rugged Priest -Kenya 4. Somewhere In Africa – Ghana 5. Queen’s Desire – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP 1. Rugged Priest – Kenya 2. State Research Bureau – Uganda 3. Adesuwa – Nigeria 4. Somewhere In Africa – Ghana 5. Shattered – Kenya (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w1k_tZ3LJ0)

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK 1. Otelo Burning – South Africa 2. Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGoiAQWR5Ws) 3. Adesuwa – Nigeria 4. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa 5. Somewhere In Africa – Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS 1. Behind The Mask – Nigeria 2. Somewhere In Africa – Ghana 3. Adesuwa – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5oF3D8t8M0) 4. State Research Bureau – Uganda 5. Otelo Burning – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND 1. State Of Violence – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnGU7SMtcPU) 2. Otelo Burning – South Africa 3. How To Steal 2 Million – South Africa 4. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria 5. Algiers Murder – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY 1. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa 2. Otelo Burning – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gek4b3x0TTQ) 3. Rugged Priest – Kenya 4. Masquerades – Ghana 5. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING 1. Algiers Murder – South Africa 2. Man On Ground – South Africa/Nigeria 3. Unwanted Guest – Nigeria 4. How 2 Steal 2 Million- South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU4NgNSbi-U) 5. Otelo Burning – South Africa 6. Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY 1. Ties That Bind – Ghana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e45wtc4QT0) 2. Mr & Mrs – Nigeria 3. How 2 Steal 2 Million – South Africa 4. Otelo Burning –South Africa 5. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria 6. Two Brides And A Baby – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM 1. Unwanted Guest -Nigeria 2. Family On Fire – Nigeria 3. Alero’s Symphony – Nigeria 4. Adesuwa – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5oF3D8t8M0) 5. Phone Swap – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE 1. Chumo – Tanzania 2. State Of Violence – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnGU7SMtcPU) 3. Family On Fire – Nigeria 4. Otelo Burning – South Africa 5. Asoni – Cameroon

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST CHILD ACTOR 1. Rahim Banda (Behind The Mask) – Nigeria 2. Tshepang Mohlomi (Otelo Burning) – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gek4b3x0TTQ) 3. Reginna Danies (Bank Job) – Nigeria 4. Benjamin Abemigisha (Jamaa) – Uganda 5. Rachel Nduhukire (Jamaa) – Uganda 6. Ayinla O. Abdulaheem (ZR-7) – Nigeria

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST YOUNG/PROMISING ACTOR 1. Neo Ntatleno (State Of Violence) – South Africa 2. Ivie Okujaye (Alero’s Symphony) – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGoiAQWR5Ws) 3. Iyobosa Olaye (Adesuwa) – Nigeria 4. Martha Ankomah (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana 5. Thomas Gumede (Otelo Burning) – South Africa 6. Sihle Xaba (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE 1. Rapulana Seiphemo (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa 2. Fana Mokoena (Man On Ground) – South Africa/Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7syzEXy2ZM) 3. Hafiz Oyetoro (Phone Swap) – Nigeria 4. Okechukwu Uzoesi (Two Brides And A Baby) – Nigeria 5. Godfrey Theobejane (48) – Nigeria 6. Lwanda Jawar (Rugged Priest) – Kenya

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE 1. Terry Pheto (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU4NgNSbi-U) 2. Ebbe Bassey (Ties That Bind) – Ghana 3. Empress Njamah (Bank Job) – Nigeria 4. Ngozi Ezeonu (Adesuwa) – Nigeria 5. Thelma Okoduwa (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria 6. Omotola Jalade Ekeinde (Ties That Bind) – Ghana

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE 1. Menzi Ngubane (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa 2. Majid Michel (Somewhere In Africa) – Ghana (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBzhN1pIxyo) 3. Chet Anekwe (Unwanted Guest) – Nigeria 4. Jafta Mamabolo (Otelo Burning) – South Africa 5. Karabo Lance (48) – South Africa 6. Wale Ojo (Phone Swap) – Nigeria 7. Hakeem Kae-Kazim (Man On Ground) – Nigeria/South Africa

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE 1. Nse Ikpe Etim (Mr & Mrs) – Nigeria 2. Yvonne Okoro (Single Six) – Ghana 3. Ama K. Abebrese (Ties That Bind) – Ghana 4. Rita Dominic (Shattered) – Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-w1k_tZ3LJ0) 5. Uche Jombo (Damage) – Nigeria 6. Millicent Makheido (48) – Nigeria 7. Kudzai Sevenzo-Nyarai (Playing Warriors) – Zimbabwe

AMAA 2012 PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTOR 1. Lancelot Oduwa Imaseun (Adesuwa) – Nigeria 2. Leila Djansi (Ties That Bind) – Ghana 3. Bob Nyanja (Rugged Priest) – Kenya 4. Charlie Vundla (How 2 Steal 2 Million) – South Africa (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fU4NgNSbi-U) 5. Khalo Matabane (State Of Violence) – South Africa 6. Akin Omotoso (Man On Ground) – South Africa/Nigeria 7. Sara Bletcher (Otelo Burning) – South Africa

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE Man on Ground - South Africa/Nigeria (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7syzEXy2ZM)