‘African Oscars’ to fête top of film crop

HOST WITH THE MOST: IK. Photo: Supplied

If you are one of those people who thought African film would never get anywhere, then you’re wrong. With the first Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards taking place in Lagos, Nigeria, this weekend, it shows African film is here to stay. The showcase is set to be watched by 47 African countries live on Saturday night, and screened on several DStv channels.

Hosting the event will be two familiar faces on African TV, Big Brother Africa’s host IK and Big Brother Africa contestant and AfricaMagic Entertainment’s StarGist presenter Vimbai Mutinhiri.

“I am honoured to be doing such a big show,” said IK.

“It’s like the African Oscars and I am so nervous, but I’ve decided not to let the pressure get to me.”

IK’s co-host, Mutinhiri, is just as excited. Going from being a contestant on Big Brother Africa to being a TV presenter, she had no clue she would be part of something this big.

“I feel there is no better way to pay homage to the outstanding stars we have on this continent than to be part of the grand occasion to honour each and every one of them,” said Mutinhiri.

Since she is now presenting StarGist, a showbiz programme that looks at the African celebrity culture, Mutinhiri will be in her element as awards co-host.

“It promises to be a night of glamour and excitement and I can’t wait to see the finest couture on the continent,” she said.

The two are well aware that the hosting gig could have gone to anyone on the continent but they were fortunate enough to be handpicked by the organisers to be the final two to entertain guests.

“I went for the auditions and I was discouraged by the number of big names that I saw there,” says IK.

“I am talking about great people I look up to and want autographs from.

This was only in Nigeria and the auditions were done all over the continent, so my chances seemed less and less.”

The awards will pay homage to some of the best movies to come out of Africa. South Africa leads the pack on the nominations list, with Otelo Burning clinching 14 nominations. Nigeria’s The Mirror Boy follows with 11.

Akin Omotoso’s Man On Ground has nine nominations, so the focus of the night will be on these three.

The full nominations list is at www.africamagic.tv.

And while you are at it, you can cast a vote for your favourite nominees in the categories of your choice. However, the judges have selected categories they deliberate on. So find out who they agreed on as winners, on the night.

Although IK has had a lot of live presenting experience through Big Brother Africa, he feels this event will be different.

“Every show has its own spirit,” he said.

“I still have butterflies when I am on Big Brother Africa, so I know the same will happen on this show – but that’s usually a good sign.”

Without revealing too much about what he will be wearing or who will be dressing him, the Nigerian hinted that his outfit would be smart.

“Think black tie, something along the lines of James Bond. Not the current dirty James Bond, but the older, much smarter ones,” he chuckled. Mutinhiri prefers to keep her outfit a surprise.

The AfricaMagic Viewers’ Choice Awards will be screened live on DStv on Saturday on Africa Magic (channel 154), AfricaMagic Entertainment (channel 150) and AfricaMagic (channel 155).