The 2013 Africa Movie Academy Awards took place over the weekend, on Saturday, April 20th, in a ceremony housed in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital. 

The theme of the 9th edition of the AMAAs was: Africa One.

A record 671 films (up from 328 entries last year) were submitted for consideration for one of the continent’s most prestigious awards for filmmakers.

Among the highlights, you’ll recognize several of the winning films, as we’ve covered them (and continue to cover them) on this site, including: Kwaku Ananse, which won the award for Best Short Film, Fueling Poverty (Best Documentary), Stones In The Sun (Best Diaspora Feature), Last Flight To Abuja (Best Film By An Africans Abroad), Virgin Magarida (Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Hermelinda Cimela), and Confusion Na Wa, which picked up the trophy for Best Film.

The late veteran Nigerian actor, Justus Esiri, who died in February, was posthumously awarded the trophy for Best Actor in a Leading Role, for his performance in Assasins’ Practice.

Overall, a good year for the AMAAs, which continues to make progress year after year. Not only did the awards see an unprecedented number of film submissions, from more countries throughout the African continent and its Diaspora, it also saw an increase in the quality of the films submitted – technically, as well as in acting, directing and diversity of the storylines. It might be its most impressive lineup to date, highlighting the continuous progression of a robust African cinema that tells rich, complex stories reflective of and created by African people, for, not only Africans, but also the world.

“We should stop being apologetic of what and who we are. We should be proud to tell the world who we are. We should use our films to tell our story and not wait for someone to else to do that for us,” urged Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, founder of the African Movie Academy Awards.

The awards are aimed at honoring and promoting cinema excellence within the continent, as well as uniting the continent through arts and culture.

The full list of winners follows below (individual highlights to follow):

Best Short Film: Kwaku Ananse (Ghana)

Best Documentary: Fuelling Poverty (Nigeria)

Best Diaspora Feature: Stones In The Sun (Haiti/USA)

Best Diaspora Documentary: Fan Do Brasil (Brazil/Guatamala)

Best Animation: Adventure Of Zambezia (South Africa)

Best Film By An Africans Abroad: Last Flight To Abuja (UK/Nigeria)

Achievement In Production Design: Elelwani

Achievement In Costume Design: Blood And Henna (Nigeria)

Achievement In Make-Up: The Meeting

Achievement In Soundtrack: The Last Fishing Boat (Malawi)

Achievement In Visual Effects: The Twin Sword

Achievement In Sound: Nairobi Half Life (Kenya)

Achievement In Cinematography: Uhlanga, The Mark (South Africa)

Achievement In Editing: Heroes And Zeros

Best Actress In A Leading Role: Florence Masebe – Elelwani

Achievement In Lightning: Moi Zaphira

Achievement In Screenplay: Heroes And Zeros

Best Nigerian Film: Confusion Na Wa (Nigeria)

Best Film In An African Language: Moi Zaphira (Burkina Faso)

Best Promising Actor: Belinda Effah – Kokomma

Best Actor In A Supporting Role: Gabriel Afolayan – Hoodrush

Best Actress In A Supporting Role: Hermelinda Cimela – Virgin Magarida

Best Actor In A Leading Role: Justus Esiri – Assasins Practice

Best Director: Niji Akanni – Heroes And Zeros (Nigeria)

Best Film: Confusion Na Wa (Nigeria)

Lifetime Achievement Awards: Tunde Kelani, Chief Eddi Ugbomah, Sir Ositadinma Okeke Oguno (Ossy Affason), Ayuko Badu and Chief Pete Edochie

Special Recognition of Pillars of Nollywood: Emem Isong, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Kenneth Okonkwo and Film/Video Producers and Marketers Association of Nigeria (FVPMAN)

Special Jury Award: Ninah’s Dairy (Cameroon)