Entertainment
AMAA -StarTimes Short Film Festival encourages and empowers local filmmakers
Edmond Tawale from Uganda emerged winner of the special prize for a documentary with the movie titled Ateker. Edmond got prize money of $1000.
This year the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) has partnered with StarTimes, the biggest pay-tv company in Nigeria, hosted the AMAA-StarTimes Short Film Festival (The Shorts).
The Event is organized to motivate young and promising filmmakers on the African continent by providing a bigger platform for talented young people to succeed.
The festival has shortlisted over 200 short films. Selected from over 500 entries across Africa, the short films were aired daily on the ST Nollywood Plus channel on StarTimes at 8 pm. The pay-tv company has also added the films on the StarTimes-ON mobile app to run throughout the festival period.
Recently in June, StarTimes, in partnership with The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), rewarded outstanding short filmmakers across Africa. Held in Lagos, the award ceremony had industry experts in attendance, including Femi Odugbemi, Tunde Kelani, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe of AMAA, Femi Adebayo, alongside StarTimes team led by CEO, Alex Jian, and content Director, Viki Liu.
Edmond Tawale from Uganda emerged winner of the special prize for a documentary with the movie titled Ateker. Edmond got prize money of $1000.
The outstanding short film winners are Frank Abasiekong from Nigeria as 2nd runner-up for his short film titled Room 10; Frank Dzikonu from Ghana as 1st runner-up for his animation movie titled Sad Story of Kojo; while Enobong Nkanta from Nigeria emerged as the winner for his short film titled Mama’s Song.
The 2nd runner-up got $1000, the 1st runner-up got $2000 and a mobile phone; while the winner got $3000 and a laptop.
Speaking at the Award ceremony, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, Founder of AMAA said, “I’m delighted with this initiative to reward our young filmmaker and happy with the synergy StarTimes is having with the movie industry. Filmmakers need to understand the process of filmmaking. We approached StarTimes for partnership and StarTimes is willing to help us nurture these resourceful people. We have to clear the stage for young and upcoming filmmakers. If we catch them young and structure them properly, it will help the growth of having better films being made along the way.”
Also speaking, the CEO of StarTimes, Alex Jian said, “We are here to award excellence, creativity, hard work, and originality. It’s our goal to provide a bigger platform for talented young people to succeed on their dream roads. StarTimes has been deeply engaged with Nollywood since last year, starting with the production of Ile Alayo Season 1, a great work directed by our friend and ambassador Femi Adebayo.
During the process, we noticed the great potential of the whole industry, and we are surprised by many young content creators. They are passionate, hardworking, and full of inspiration. As a Pay-TV platform rooted in Africa, StarTimes aims at providing the best content to its audience. And we are very willing to support content creators in all kinds of ways because when they grow, the industry grows; if they succeed, we succeed.”
Entertainment
Billionaire Socialite, E-Money To Take Full Responsibility Of Junior Pope’s Sons
Nigerian socialite Emeka Okonkwo, also known as E-Money, recently expressed his sorrow over the tragic death of his late friend, Junior Pope, who passed away in a drowning accident.
In a heartfelt note, E-Money mourned the loss of the Nollywood star and pledged to take care of Junior Pope’s three sons, making them part of his family. This gesture of generosity and support has touched many hearts, raising questions about the importance of friendship and community support in times of grief.
In his post, He wrote;
“We tenderly remember your final words on the boat, “NA ONLY ME DEM BORN I GET 3 CHILDREN NA ME GO RAISE THEM,” and we solemnly commit to honoring that vow. Your children now find solace in the embrace of the Okonkwo family, and we, as members of that family, pledge to nurture them as you would have wished. Your absence leaves a palpable void, JP, and your memory will forever be held dear. Rest peacefully, knowing that you are deeply cherished, and may God’s blessings encompass your soul, your family, and all who hold you in their hearts. ” – E-Money
God bless him as he keeps his promise.
Entertainment
Nollywood Producer And Former Boss To Junior Pope, Tchidi Tchikere Pens Down Emotional Tribute To The Late Actor
Legendary Nollywood director and producer Tchidi Tchikere has penned down an emotional message for late Junior pope
He wrote;
“My boy. My son . Adieu. I feel like a man who has lost a son. You came to dance in my music video. I paid you and you said ‘Thank you sir’ I was touched by your gratefulness and I asked my production manager to call you back. I took your number and told you I d push your career cos out of all the people I paid that day you were the only one who said THANK YOU. So one month later and after auditions , I cast in a leading role in the movie DEEPER THAN FACES. I surrounded you with established actors like Tonto Dikeh. Uche Elendu and the legend Uncle Pete Edochie. Cos I knew casting you among them would make you fly. And fly you did. I carried your career AMAKA MUSTAPHA. BE NOT AFRAID. NEW JOY etcetera, and you kept flying.
“Others began to cast you and I was happy watching you grow. Casting you as Churchill son of legendary actor Kanayo O Kanayo in GLOBACOM’s sitcom Professor Johnbull was one of the best decisions of my career because again you showed your versatility.
“I don’t know how this happened, it s only God that knows, JP, for me you are not dead, you have only gone to another level. That is the only way I can cope with this terrible news. We will keep holding the flag until we meet again”.
Junior Pope and four other crew members died during a boat accident on their way to a movie location on the 10th of April 2024. His death is still a huge shock.
Entertainment
Crossdresser, Bobrisky Sentenced To Six Months In Prison For Money Mutilation
Recall that on April 5th, Economic Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC arraigned Bobrisky in court on a six-count charge ranging from Abuse of the Naira and Money laundering.
The court, however, dismissed the money laundering charges but convicted him for Naira Abuse after he confessed to the crime. The court also ordered that he be remanded in EFCC detention in Lagos.
First photos of Bobrisky as he leaves the courts premises with his luggage after his sentencing earlier today.
The popular cross dresser has been jailed for six months with no option of fine by Abimbola Awogboro, A judge of the federal high court in Lagos, over Abuse of Naira.
The controversial crossdresser, Bobrisky alao confirmed his gender during his trial on charges of naira abuse in court on Friday. He clearly stated that he is a “Man”
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