The nominees for the 2021 Ghana Movies Awards, which is geared towards rewarding excellence in African cinematography, have been officially released. Ghana movies
Movies like ‘Borga’, ‘Sugar’, ‘Savannah’, ‘Coming To Africa’, ‘Cross, Shemale’, ‘The Therapist’, ‘Cold Road’ and ‘Famous’ are all in contention for various awards. The above-mentioned movies are also in contention for the Best Picture category.
Actors Kwadwo Osei Tutu, Eugene Boateng, Anthony Woode, Anwar Jamison, and Quasi Blay Jnr are neck to neck for the Best Actor in the lead role category for their performances in the movies, ‘Uncharted Path’, Borga, ‘Savannah’, ‘Coming To Africa’ and ‘Cross’ in that order.
The Best Actress in the lead role category is also being keenly contested by talented actresses Habiba Sinare, Dela Seade, Jasmine Baroudi, Ashley Oluigbo, and Nadia Buari.
There is fierce competition for the Discovery of the year award. Nominees in that category include: Ann Sophie Ave ( Fire And Ice), Eugene Boateng (Borga), Dennis Dwanena (Kidi) (Sugar), PY Addo Boateng (Coming To Africa), Ashley Oluigbo (Uncharted Path), Nana Yeboah (Shemale), Jude Arnold ( Borga), Andy Tetteh (Hog Tie), Kwaku Brown ( Coming To Africa), and Sherifatu Issah (Savannah).
The Ghana Movie Awards is an annual award scheme that celebrates outstanding achievements in the Ghana movie industry since 2010. This year’s event, slated for December 30, 2021, is expected to be spectacular and an improvement over previous events.
Meanwhile, amidst the movie awards, is controversies regarding the renaming of the Ghana Movie Industry to ‘Black Star Films’ by National Film Authority (NFA).
Currently, Tourism Minister, Dr Ibrahim Mohammed Awal, has ordered the immediate suspension of the newly selected brand name.
A statement posted on the Facebook page of the Deputy Tourism, Mark Okraku-Mantey, indicated that Mr Awal Mohammed “has directed that the usage of the newly selected brand name for Ghana’s film industry; ‘Black Stars Films’, be put on hold pending the outcome of the ongoing stakeholder engagements”.
This comes after some movie industry players, who are displeased with selecting the brand name, petitioned the sector Minister on the matter. The name, ‘Black Star Film’, which stood tall amongst the list, was protested against by George Quaye and a few others.
The Office of the Tourism Minister has announced that it is engaging all the aggrieved parties to resolve the issue.
“As we await the outcome of the stakeholder engagements, it is hereby directed that the brand name be put on hold with immediate effect.The Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, led by the able Honourable Awal Mohammed, assures Ghanaians that it is focused on developing the film industry in unity and will avoid any move that will create a divided front”.
Awal Mohammed
Meanwhile, veteran actor, Abeiku Sagoe who is of a different view, noted that those petitioning the use of ‘Black Star Films’ as an industry name “has no case”.
Abeiku Sagoe believes the NFA was tasked to provide proper names that best represents the Ghanaian Movie Industry. He added that over 400 names were submitted which was later shortlisted to 10 names. Therefore, they should just accept the change.
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