by Wilfred Okiche

Africa’s biggest film awards go down tonight.

After a brief detour in Lagos last year, the AMAA train heads back to it’s original home, Yenagoa in Bayelsa state.

We attempt a prediction of who wins what in selected categories. These predictions are almost impossible to make and hence, not authoritative as a majority of the nominated films are not in wide release yet.

Still we try.

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY

The Contract

Ninah’s Dowry

Hereos And Zereos

Alan Poza

Blood And Henna

Zama Zama

What will win: To be honest we don’t know much about these films but we think this one will go to ‘Ninah’s Dowry’ because it is the only film on this list that scores a ‘Best film’ screenplay.

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM

Blood And Henna

Hereos And Zereos

The Meeting

Confusion Na Wa

The Twin Sword

Kokomma

Okoro The Prince

What will win: ‘Confusion na wa’

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE

Moi Zaphira – Burkina Faso

Elelwani (South Africa)

The Last Fishing Boat (Malawi)

Nairobi Half Life (Kenya)

Blood And Henna – Nigeria

Sherifa – Togo

Kokomma- Nigeria

What will win: ‘Nairobi half life’

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Gabriel Afolayan – Hoodrush

Ali Nuhu – Blood And Henna

Olwenya Maina – Nairobi Half Life

Alfred Atungu – Twin Sword

Ikponmwosa Gold – Confusion Na Wa

What will win: Gabriel Afolayan (Hoodrush)

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Hermelinda Cimela – Virgin Magarida

Patience Ozokwo – Turning Point

Linda Ejiofor – The Meeting

Crista Eka – Ninah’s Dowry

Foluke Daramola – Cobweb

Who will win: Between Hermelinda Cimela (Virgin Magarida) and Crista Eka (Ninah’s dowry)

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Oc Ukeje – Alan Poza

Bimbo Manuel – Hereos And Zereos

Lindani Nkosi – Zama Zama

Justus Esiri – Assasins Practice

Hlomla Dandala – The Contract

Femi Jacobs – The Meeting

Amurin Wumnembom – Ninah’s Dowry

Who will win: While a post-humous recognition for Justus Esiri (Assassins Practice) would be great, don’t count out Bimbo Manuel (Heroes and Zeroes) or ‘Ninah’s dowry’s’ Amurin Wumnembom

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Yvonne Okoro – The Contract

Florence Masebe – Elelwani

Mariam Ouedraogo – Moi Zaphira

Rita Dominic – The Meeting

Mbutung Seikeh – Ninah’s Diary

Flora Suya – Last Fishing Boat

Who will win: We’ll go with Ghanaian Yvonne Okoro (The Contract) for sentimental reasons.

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST DIRECTOR

Kenneth Gyang – Confusion Na Wah

Shemu Joyah – Last Fishing Boat

Shirley Frimpong Manso- Contract

Niji Akanni – Hereos And Zeroes

David Kitounga – Nairobi Half Life

Ntshavheni Wa Luruli – Elelwani

Who will win: David Kitounga (Nairobi half life)

AMAA 2013 PRIZE FOR BEST FILM

Nairobi Half Life (Kenya)

Ninah’s Dowry (Cameroun)

Last Fishing Boat – (Malawi)

Virgin Margarida (Mozambique)

Elelwani (South Africa)

Last Flight To Abuja (Nigeria)

Confusion Na Wa (Nigeria)

What will win: ‘Nina’s dowry’