The glitz and glamour of the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards dimmed for the highly anticipated Nollywood film, “A Tribe Called Judah,” as it left empty-handed, sparking a fervent debate among movie enthusiasts on various social media platforms.
The prestigious event, held at the illustrious Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, celebrated the best of African cinema. However, for actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele, the brains behind “A Tribe Called Judah,” the night did not yield the expected results.
Despite securing nominations across several categories such as Best Makeup, Best Writing in a Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Movie, and Best Supporting Actor, the film failed to clinch victory in any, facing tough competition from other exceptional contenders.
Feyisayo Oyebisi’s exceptional makeup artistry was outshone by Campbell Precious’ stellar work on “Mami Wata,” while the writing brilliance of Funke Akindele, Collins Okoh, and Akinlabi Ishola was surpassed by Tunde Babalola’s poignant script for “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.”
For many African cinema aficionados, Funke Akindele’s powerful performance was overshadowed by Kehinde Bankole’s magnetic portrayal in “Adire,” which earned her the coveted Best Lead Actress accolade.
Despite the impressive feat of grossing N1bn within just 21 days of its release, “A Tribe Called Judah” fell short in the Best Movie category, losing out to the captivating “Breath of Life.”
Additionally, Timini Egbuson’s supporting role failed to match Demola Adedoyin’s outstanding performance in “Breath of Life,” leading to the latter’s victory.
In a surprising turn of events, “Breath of Life” emerged as the night’s biggest winner, securing five prestigious awards, including Best Movie, Best Sound Design, Best Director (BB Sasore), Best Lead Actor, and both Best Supporting Actor and Actress (Ademola Adedoyin and Genoveva Umeh respectively). Chimezie Imo, who also played a supporting role, received the Trailblazer Award.
The snubbing of “A Tribe Called Judah,” a notable film in its own right, has sparked heated discussions across social media, with fans divided over whether the movie was unjustly overlooked or if “Breath of Life” truly deserved its accolades.
As the fervor surrounding this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards gradually settles, one thing remains evident – the event underscores the enduring influence of African cinema in captivating, inspiring, and stirring spirited dialogue.
Despite the lack of recognition at this particular event, the legacy of “A Tribe Called Judah” serves as a testament to the resilient spirit of Nigerian filmmaking and the ever-evolving realm of African cinema.