Organisers of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) have announced the appointment of Steve Ayorinde as President of the Jury for the year 2020 honours.
A pioneer member of the Academy, Ayorinde has been the Chairman of the Governing Council of AMAA for over 10 years. He is the immediate past Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture in Lagos State. Before then, he was the Managing Director/Editor-In-Chief of the National Mirror newspaper and the Editor of The Punch newspaper.
He is also regarded as one of Nigeria’s best-renowned film and art critics who has served on the Juries for some of the world’s most recognised film festivals and awards, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival and Mumbai International Film Festival and the Cairo International Film Festival.
A statement signed by the Awards’ founder, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, said AMAA could not think of a more seasoned personality that can embrace what the film industry is going through at the moment than Ayorinde, who is expected to inspire filmmakers across Africa and the Diaspora in a period when the industry needs inspiration.
The statement added that 2020 has been a compelling and interesting year with the COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively impacted the creative and tourism sector globally.
“This year, due to the pandemic, there has been delays and date changes because we have been hoping for the world to open up so we can congregate physically for the AMAAs. Film making and awards are about team and networking, rooms filled with happiness, laughter, wine, dances and jubilations for the year’s hard work.
“Unfortunately, COVID-19 has made it impossible, as the world goes through the second wave of lockdowns and Nigeria still recovering from the aftershock of the #EndSARS dilemma—where youths were demanding for the rejuvenation of the values of togetherness, a better police force, better Nigeria and Africa. As we come together for the 16th edition of AMAA, it is to reward African cinema, and to embrace the fact that we have been working even in these troubling and difficult times,” it said.
The nominations for the 16th edition of the awards in all categories will be announced on AMAA networks on the 20th of November, 2020 while the Awards ceremony will be held on the 20th of December, 2020.
