Bolanle Austen-Peters’ biopic on relentless activism of Madam Funmilayo Ransome Kuti won the Oronto Douglas Best Feature Film award at the just-concluded 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF).
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti narrates the life story of phenomenal women’s rights activists and mother of Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti, from her pioneering days as the first female student at Abeokuta Grammar School and to her marriage to Israel Ransome-Kuti.
The biopic follows her story as she confronts oppression from both colonial and traditional rulers, leading up to the establishment of the Abeokuta Women’s Union.
Similarly, ‘I Do Not Come To You By Chance’, produced by Genevieve Nnaji, bagged the Audience Choice Award while Best Documentary went to ‘White Nanny, Black Child’.
Actors like Ini Edo, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Funke Akindele, Tobi Bakre, Chioma Chukwuka, Blossom Chukwujekwu, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Adedimeji Lateef, Femi Adebayo Salami, Chidi Mokeme, and Kunle Remi were all honored in the AFRIFF Honours platform.
The AFRIFF Honours serve as a platform to recognize and celebrate the extraordinary talents and dedication of individuals who have significantly influenced the Nigerian and African film industry.
Here is the full list of winners below:
1. Audience Choice Award: “I Do Not Come To You By Chance”
2. Access Bank Best Short Film: “Until”23”
3. Best Documentary: “White Nanny Black Child”
4. Oronto Douglas Best Feature Film: “Funmilayo Ransom Kuti”
5. Best International Feature: “Brothers,” Directed by Darkhan Tulegenov
6. Best Director: Ellie Foumbi, “Our Father, The Devil”
7. Best Performance Male: Gregory Ojefua “This is Lagos/Black Harvest”
8. Special Jury Prize: “All the Colours of the World” and “White Nanny Black Child”
9. Best International Short Film: “Nzu”
10. Best Animation: “When Hearts Touch”
11. Best Student Short Film: “Man and Masquerade”
12. Best Screenplay: Tunde Babalola – Funmilayo Ransom Kuti
