Kenneth Gyang's "The Lost Cafe", Oluseyi Asurf's "Hakkunde" Win For Nollywood At #AFRIFF2017 Globe Awards

The 2017 edition Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) came to a spectacular close with the presentation of the Globe Awards, Saturday night, at the Eko Hotel Convention Center.

It was a show of stars, as Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde, Kate Henshaw, Ramsey Nouah, Kunle Afolayan, Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, Kunle Idowu and Olu Jacobs among others all walked the red carpet.

Other guests include Bolanle Austen-Peters, Ini Dima Okojie, Linda Ejiofor, Omoye Uzamere, Nonso Bassey and Fred Amata.

The AFRIFF jury was headed by scholar, Janaina Oliveira. Other members of the jury include Florian Plaucheur (AFP), Jahman Anikulapo, Mildred Okwo and Joke Silva.

Wulu (Mali), Felicite (Senegal) and Nigeria’s Hakkunde were some of the big winners and their 250,000 Naira cheques, each, were presented by Access Bank. Ghana’s Lydia Forson was named Best Actress for her role in Keteke while Ibrahim Koma received the Best Actor Globe for his solid work in Wulu. The Best Feature Film Globe, and 500,000 Naira prize money went to the opening night film, I am Not a Witch (Zambia/UK).

The night was punctuated with vigorous dance appearances, a drama sketch on the impossibilities of filming in Lagos Nigeria and a show stopping rendition of the Brenda Fassie classic, Vulindlela by host, Lala Akindoju, all put together by Kenneth Uphopo’s Paws studios.

Founder/Executive Director of AFRIFF, Ms Chioma Ude thanked the sponsors, partners and expressed her appreciation by introducing the entire team plus volunteers on stage to receive some credit. Alongside Canon’s Katie Simmonds, Ude introduced the winning students from the DSLR, screenplay and acting workshops.

Winner of the Accelerate Filmmaker Project, Priye Diri, who won for her short, XOXO Leo.

The Africa International Film Festival is an annual weeklong, all-encompassing world class showcase that ran from 29, October to 4, November 2017.

About 150 carefully curated feature lengths, shorts, documentaries and student films were screened this year. The festival also encompasses talent development classes, industry workshops and inspiring creative discussions.

See full list of winners:

Best Actor

Ibrahim Koma, Wulu (Mali)

Best Actress

Lydia Forson, Keteke (Ghana)

Special Jury Mention

Alter Ego (Nigeria)

Oronto Douglas Award for Best Nigerian Film

Hakkunde (Nigeria)

Best Screenplay

Wulu (Mali)

Best Director