TheAfrica Movie Academy Awards (AMMA) is an annual entertainment award ceremony, presented to recognize excellence among African and non-African professionals, who have contributed to the Africanfilm industry. The award was founded byPeace Anyiam-Osigwe currently run by theAfrica Film Academy. It is regarded as one of Africa's most notable film events,[1][2][3] and have been sometimes referenced as the "African Oscars".[4][5]
The first Africa Movie Academy Awards was held inYenagoa,Bayelsa State,Nigeria, on 30 May 2005.[6][7] All other subsequent African Academy Awards before 2012 were held at the same venue, except for the 2008 AMAA Awards, which was moved toAbuja,FCT, for security reasons.[8] In 2012, the awards ceremony was held atEko Hotels and Suites,Victoria Island, Lagos, inLagos State. The 9th and 10th edition saw AMAA returning toYenagoa, while the 2015 ceremony was held outside Nigeria for the first time.
They have been hosted in various Nigerian cities, usually in Lagos,[9] and once internationally inKigali, Rwanda, in the year 2018. The ceremonies have been held at different venues within these locations, including the Jewel Aeida Hall, Eko Hotels and Suites, Balmoral Center, and the Landmark Event Centre in Lagos. Over time, the AMAA has expanded its reach beyond Nigeria. Though detailed archival venue data is limited, ceremonies have drawn global attention, through strategic host cities and online formats particularly during theCOVID-19 pandemic. This approach reflects AMAA's evolving commitment to inclusion and accessibility across the African continent and beyond.
AMAA has cemented its role as a catalyst for African cinema. It brings visibility to films in indigenous languages, supports diaspora narratives, and honours technical excellence. The awards foster cross-continental collaboration, spotlight African talent globally, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.[19]
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