By Ahmad Muto
Cinematographer Loukman Ali won two awards, the most by any nominee at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) on Saturday, May 20, 2023 in Lagos, Nigeria.
He won the Best Cinematographer award for the film Brotherhood. And also won the award for Best Director for the same film. Note that another Ugandan cinematographer Morris Mugisha was also a nominee for his effort in Tembele.
Online however, he said he deserved the former more because of how hostile the filming environment was from the cast to atmosphere.
“Thank you for best cinematographer, this one I really deserve cos shooting that film was hot in all meanings of the word.”
Speaking to the The Kampala Sun, he noted that West Africans are loud, aggressive and temperamental: “Temperature wise and the temper of the people. It’s far more than an East African mind can imagine.”
The 2022 film cast were Big Brother Naija alumni Tobi Bakre, musician Falz, comedian Basketmouth, actors Mr. Macaroni, Sam Dede, Zubby Michael, actresses Ronke Oshodi Oke, Toni Tones among others.
The AMVCA recognizes outstanding achievement in film and television on the continent annually.
Loukman who was absent at the ceremony told The Kampala Sun last week that he was not going to attend because travelling needs a lot of effort and doing it to just go attend an award ceremony is not for him.
And the other nominees that didn’t win were;
Loukman Ali’s Sixteen Rounds, that was nominated in the Best Short Film category had the award picked by Nigeria’s Pa Aromire directed by Adeoye Adetunji.
Morris Mugisha’s Tembele lost the Best Overall Movie on the continent award to Anikulapo by Nigeria’s Kunle Afoloyan.
Jeff Roberts Walusimbi who was nominated in the Best Supporting Actor in a movie/TV series category for his effort in Bedroom Chains lost it to Abdisattar Ahmed for the film Gacal.
Local TV series, Prestige that was nominated in the Best Original Telenovela category saw the award go to Mpali.
The Best Picture Editor category for which Kimera Paul was nominated for editing Tembele went to Holmes and Daniel Tom for Crime and Justice.
Ismail Kyobe Ssebowa lost the Best Sound Editor category award for Bedroom Chains to Anu Afolayan for Anikulapo.
For the Best Movie East Africa category, Eleanor Nabwiso was nominated for the film Karamoja, Morris Mugisha for the film Tembele, and Hassan Mageye for Bedroom Chains. The award went to Click Click Bang by Kenya’s Philip Karanja Njenga.
And comedienne Anne Kansiime lost the Best Unscripted Original award to King Bugar.
