M-Net calls for more entries from Southern Africa
M-Net Regional Director for West Africa Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu has called for more movie entries in Southern Africa.
Mba-Uzoukwu said this on Saturday during a press conference at Eko Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria revealing that they did not receive more entries in Southern Africa in the 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs).
“We did not receive more entries from Southern Africa and so we urge film makers to come out and participate,” she said.
In the Best Movie for Southern Africa, the country’s Joyce Mhango Chavula triumphed with her movie titled Lilongwe.
She however, could not be drawn to say how many movies entered in Southern Africa this year.
Mba-Uzoukwu said this following concerns from journalists that some countries were being neglected in terms of being given a platform on Africa Magic channels which have been dominated by Nollywood movies.
Journalists have during press conferences raised concern on Africa Magic channels being dominated by Nollywood and yet there are countries citing among others Southern Africa which are producing quality movies.
This also extended to artists who are invited to different platforms such as AMVCAs where Nigerian acts dominate.
But the M-Net Regional Director said this year they had a wide selection of artists and that it was not only about Nigeria.
This year some of the artists who performed included Nigeria’s star Flavour, South African singer Zonke, Tanzania’s Ali Kiba and Ugandan and South African comedians Salvado and Thomas Gumede respectively.
However, journalists said despite this move, some artists who are doing better in Southern African countries have been neglected.
Mba-Uzoukwu said there was no bias in the way they work and that through the AMVCAs, they want to grow Africa’s film industry.
She challenged film makers and musicians in Southern Africa to do more and participate by sending in their entries.
The M-Net Regional Director also said they are looking into holding workshops with local film makers and other artists in different Southern African countries.
She said Africa Magic and MultiChoice, through the AMVCAs have continued to show their support to the film and television industry across Africa and that they will continue to provide world class entertainment for Africa by Africans.
The AMVCAs were created to celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry.
The 2016 AMVCAs were spearheaded by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and the headline sponsor was Amstel Malta.
The hosts for this year’s event broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, were IK, who was hosting the event for the fourth time and South Africa’s Minenhle ‘Minnie’ Dlamini.
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