Celina and fiance appear in public for the first time months after announcing their engagement at this popular event

On Friday, the 7th of October, 2016, renowned East African filmmakers, industry influencers and members of the press gathered at the Tune Hotel in Nairobi, Kenya, as representatives from MultiChoice Kenya and M-Net West Africa discussed preparations for the 2017 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

The Corporate Affairs Manager, MultiChoice Kenya, Mr. Philip Wahome, the Channel Head, Maisha Magic East, Margaret Mathore, the Head of Production, M-Net West Africa, Risper Muthamia, and the Director, M-Net West Africa Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, interacted with the guests as they were taken down the AMVCA road and plans for the fifth edition in  2017.

Actor Gerald Langiri Catherine Kamau and Philip Karanja during the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards Cocktail held at the Tune Hotel in Nairobi.

Opening the event, Wahome said:

“The purpose of today’s session is to inform all stakeholders in the East African film and television industry of the 2017 AMVCAs. The entries for the 2017 edition close on the 28th of October 2016, and it is particularly important that East African filmmakers enter for the awards given the amazing works that have come out of the region in recent years.”

For the 2017 edition, an exciting development is the acceptance of local language titles in the respective regional categories, which undoubtedly opens up the AMVCAs to increased participation across the continent. The local language titles can be entered into the three regional categories which are the best East African Movie, the best Southern African Movie and the best West African movie. These categories will exist side by side and remain in contention for the best overall movie in Africa.

Actor Gerald Langiri during the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards Cocktail held at the Tune Hotel in Nairobi.

The Director, M-Net West Africa, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu said: “This is indeed an exciting opportunity for East African filmmakers to not only submit their films, but also actively contribute to the retelling of the East African story through their craft. We are delighted to be here, engaging directly with the stakeholders from East Africa. This region is an extremely important contributor to the African film and television industry and we continue to see an increase in the quantity and quality of works from here. Big titles like Mama Duka, Lies that Bind, Ray of Hope and Nairobi Half Life which won big at the 2014 AMVCAs have become iconic works on the continent having featured and won on the AMVCA stage. We encourage the filmmakers present to not only enter their works, but also encourage their peers to do the same as the AMVCAs, besides being Pan African in nature, also celebrates the best of African entertainment content for the world to see.”

From right:  Director, M-net West Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, Head of Production M-net West, Risper Muthama and Media Pros Africa Wangechi Murage pose during the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards Stakeholders Cocktail held at the Tune Hotel in Nairobi.

To enter for the AMVCAs, filmmakers who have broadcast or publically exhibited their works from October 1st, 2015 to September 30th 2016, should prepare a two or three minute long showreel for an online submission. They must then log on to www.africamagic.tv and navigate to the AMVCA submission page which must be filled with the showreel uploaded. Once successfully done, a unique reference number will be generated and allocated to each completed submission. Quoting this unique reference number, filmmakers can then send a hard drive of their submitted work to: Attn: Margaret Mathore; 2nd floor, M-Net Offices, Local Production studio, Jamhuri Grounds off Ngong Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

Also speaking, the Head of Production, M-Net West Africa, Risper Muthamia said: “The recognition that the AMVCAs bring to nominated and winning works cannot be quantified or overstated. The quality and quantity of the works entered have improved dramatically from the first edition in 2013.  When you are nominated for an AMVCA, then you know you have gained continental and global recognition. But you cannot gain this if you do not enter your work and this is why I urge all East African filmmakers who meet the criteria to enter their films and show the rest of Africa and the amount of talent and creativity abundant in this region.”

Entries for the AMVCAs are open until the 28th of October, 2016.

For more information, please visit www.africamagic.tv