By Ogova Ondego
Published March 26, 2011
VIVA RIVA,a film from Congo-Kinshasa, is in contention for 12 awards at the 7th Africa Movie Academy Awards Gala Night that takes place in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria, in the evening of March 27, 2011.
This Djo Munga-directed film about a man who wants to fulfill his dreams in Kinshasa through acquisition of truckloads of money, women and exhilaration, has been nominated for Best Director; Best Film; Best Actor in Leading Role (Patsha Bay); Best Actress in Leading Role (Mania Malone); Best Production Design; Best Make Up; Best Soundtrack; Best Achievement in Sound; Best Cinematography; Best Editing; Best Child Actor (Jordan Ntunga-Anto); Best Actor in Supporting Role (Hoji Fortuna); and Best Actress in Supporting Role (Marlene Longage).
Some of the films VIVA RIVA shall seek to do battle with include Ghana’s SINKING SANDS (10 nominations); South Africa’s HOPE VILLE (nine nominations), IZULU LAMI (seven nominations), A SMALL TOWN CALLED DESCENT (six nominations) and SHIRLEY ADAMS (five nominations); and Kenya/Germany’s SOUL BOY (seven nominations).
RELATED: Zambian Film Wins 5th Africa in Motion Short Film Competition
In Yenagoa for the ceremony from Eastern Africa are journalists George Orido and Christine Mungai, actors Godfrey Odhiambo, Sarah Hassan, Kenneth Sammy Muigai Ambani, and directors Judy Kibinge, Wanjiru Kairu, Simiyu Barasa, and Hawa Essuman, assistant director Rita Wachera from Kenya; director Sajani Sravista from Tanzania and director Kiripi Katembo Siku, actress Marlene Longambe, and actors Patsha Bay and Arly Kosi from Congo-Kinshasa; and actor Benjamin Abemigisha and his mother from Uganda.
