Afolayan’s October 1, Makun’s 30 days in Atlanta win at AMAA

Kunle Afolayan

October 1, a 2014 Nigerian dark psychological thriller film written by Tunde Babalola, produced and directed by Kunle Afolayan has won best Nigerian film at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2015.

Also, 30 Days in Atlanta, a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters won best comedy film.

October one stars Sadiq Daba, Kayode Olaiya, David Bailie, Kehinde Bankole, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Fabian Adeoye Lojede, Nick Rhys, Kunle Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Bimbo Manuel, Ibrahim Chatta and introducing Demola Adedoyin; it also features special appearance from Deola Sagoe.

The film, which is set in Colonial Nigeria, narrates the story of Danladi Waziri (Sadiq Daba), a police officer from Northern Nigeria who is posted to a remote town of Akote in Western Nigeria to investigate the frequent female murder cases in the community, and have the mystery solved before the Nigerian flag is raised on October 1, Nigeria's Independence Day.

The lead character of the film, Dan Waziri, particularly posed a challenge during casting, as the director had a particular look he wants for the character; Daba was eventually selected for the role after a series of research, and thereby marked his return to the big screen after over a 10-year absence from the industry. The film received sponsorships from the Lagos State Government, Toyota Nigeria, Elizade Motors, Guinness and Sovereign Trust Insurance. It was shot in Lagos and Ondo State for a period of over forty days using RED cameras, after four months of preproduction.

Production design for the film was done by Pat Nebo, who has also worked with Afolayan in his previous film projects; he and his team made almost half of the props used in the film, while the other props such as television sets from the '50s, shotguns and antique vehicles, were acquired and refurbished for the film. Golden Effects also partnered with Haute Couture to provide primordial costumes used in the film.

30 Days in Atlanta is a 2014 Nigerian romantic comedy film produced by Ayo Makun and directed by Robert Peters. The film was shot on location in Lagos and Atlanta. It premiered on 31 October 2014 It has been declared the highest grossing film of all time in Nigerian cinemas, although the film was met with mixed to negative critical reception.

African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) 2015 Winners 1. Best Short Film- Twaaga – Burkina Faso 2. Best Animation- The Legacies Of Rubies – Nigeria 3. Best Documentary- Egypt’S Modern Pharaohs – Egypt 4. Best Film In An African Language- Timbuktu – Mauritania 5. Best Film By An African Living Abroad- Fevers – Morocco 6. Best Diaspora Short- Sound Of Tears - Canada 7. Best Diaspora Documentary- The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of The Revolution – USA 8. Best Diaspora Feature- Supremacy - USA 9. Achievement In Production Design- I Number Number 10. Achievement In Costume Design- October 1 – Nigeria 11. Achievement In Make-Up- Njinga: Queen Of Angola – Angola 12. Achievement In Soundtrack- Triangle Going To America – Ethiopia 13. Achievement In Visual Effect- I Number Number 14. Achievement In Sound- Lobraz Khan – Mauritius 15. Achievement In Cinematography- Lobraz Khan – Mauritius 16. Achievement In Editing- Timbuktu 17. Achievement In Screen Play- Le President 18. Best Comedy Film- 30 Days In Atlanta 19. Best Nigerian Film- ' October 1 20. Best Child Actor- Layla Walet Mohammed And Mehdi A.G Mohammed – Timbuktu 21. Best Young/ Promising Actor- Kemi Lala Akindoju (Dazzling Mirage) And Hassan Spike Insingoma – (Boda Boda Thieves) 22. Best Actor In A Supporting Role- Samson Tadesse - Triangle Going To America 23. Best Actress In A Supporting Role- Hilda Dokubo - Stigma 24. Best Actor In A Leading Role- Sadiq Daba – October 1 25. Best Actress In A Leading Role- Lesliana Pereira - Njinga: Queen Of Angola 26. Best First Feature Film By A Director- Destiny Ekaragha - Gone Too Far 27. Best Director- Abderrahmane Sissako - Timbuktu 28. Best Film: Timbuktu – Mauritania