The African Voice Newspaper UK has now released nominees for the 17th African Film Awards 2012 better known as Hollywood Awards. Winners of each category will be announced at a special ceremony in Akure, Ondo State on Wednesday, October 10, 2012.

Each of the winners would have the opportunity to attend the prestigious annual awards in London.

Top actresses like Tonto Dikeh, Chika Ike and Omoni Oboli will slug it out in the best actress category while South Africa’s leading actor, Jafta Mamabolo (famed for his role in Otelo Burning) will have Nigeria's Joseph Benjamin (Tango With Me) and Ghana's Van Vicker to fight in order to win in the best African actor category.

The award has helped to make Nollywood popular and opened an array of opportunities for past recipients. Commenting on this year’s edition, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice Newspaper UK and Chairman of the awards committee said "the awards ceremony will attract British African stars from film and television, British producers seeking collaboration with Nollywood practitioners and high net worth British Africans seeking to invest in Africa’s leading film industry.

"Akure in Ondo State has been chosen to announce the finalists from Nollywood this year to promote peaceful electioneering in the forth coming Governorship elections in the state. It is hoped that the popularity of Nollywood and wide acceptance of the award brand will drive international media attention to the variety of tourist attractions in the state such as the historic Idanre Hills."

A distinguished and independent panel of film critics, respected for their expertise in the film industry, will decide the eventual winners of each award category.

The awards, celebrating excellence in African Film and tourism, will also be an opportunity to highlight the tourism development plans of African states, as the event coincides with the World Tourism Market, the leading global event for the tourism industry.

Below are the nominees;

African Actor of the Year (African Film category) Joseph Benjamin (Nigeria) Van Vicker (Ghana) Jafta Mamabolo (South Africa)

Nollywood Film category

Best Actor (English language film) Nonso Diobi Femi Branch Yemi Blaq

Best Actress (English language film) Chika Ike Tonto Dike Omoni Oboli

Best Actress (Supporting Role in an English language film) Kiki Omeili Nse Ikpe Etim Oge Okoye

Best Actress (Yoruba language film) Funke Adesiyan Ayo Adesanya Laide Bakare

Best Actress (Supporting Role in a Yoruba language film) Mosun Filani Toyin Aimaku Toyosi Adesanya

Best Actor (Yoruba language film) Odunlade Adekola Adefemi Salami Gabriel Afolayan

Best Actor (Supporting Role in a Yoruba language film) Muka Ray Femi Fadeyi Don Richards

Best Actor (Hausa language film) Aminu Sherif Momoh Ibrahim Maishunku Babelle Hayatu

Best Actress (Hausa language film) Sadiya Mohammed Mayam Booth Jamila Umar Nagudu

Veteran Actor Tafa Oloyede Kayode Olasehinde Gbolagade Akinpelu

Veteran Actress Abeni Balogun Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero) Iyabo Ogunsola

Best Director (English film) Mahmud Ali Balogun Bond Emeruwa Chidi Nwakobia

Best Director (Yoruba film) Ayinde Sansaliu Yemi Amodu Bayo Tijani

Best Marketer (Yoruba film) Alhaji Toyin Uthman (Toymax Film Holdings) Biodun Ibitola (Remdel Ultimal) Ishola Saheed (Isolak Films)

Best Marketer (English film) Andy Best Cosmos Ndulue Bayo Tijani

Best Comedy Talent Bolaji Amusan (Mr. Latin) Hafiz Oyetoro (Saka) Helen Paul (Tatafo)