9th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards 2014
TOP NOLLYWOOD PRODUCER OBI EMELONYE APPOINTED AS CREATIVE DIRECTOR!
One week after the Screen Nation nominations were announced, Obi Emelonye, Nigeria’s most successful Director/Producer of the last few years now firmly takes the helm as Creative Director for the 9th Screen Nation Awards. The Nigerian born, British-based filmmaker will bestow his artistic vision to a variety of homegrown and international African heritage stars from the UK and international film & TV industries.
The 2014 nominations saw global Nigerian talent lead the way with the overwhelming number of nominations in the much coveted People’s Choice African International Awards section with Ghana, South Africa and Kenya making up the numbers. Nigeria was also well represented within the highly competitive UK Screen Awards with Oscar contender Chiwetel Ejiofor and star of The Butler, David Oyelowo being the picks of the nominees.
With all the major nominees converging on London for the film Bafta’s on the week before, this year’s Screen Nation is set to be one of the ‘hot’ awards ticket of the 2014 awards season. And with Obi at the helm the prestigious ceremony is anticipated to also host many Nigerian dignitaries and elite stars from both Hollywood and Nollywood who will attend to celebrate diversity.
Obi reveals: ‘as a previous Screen Nation Award winner, I know what this award means to a filmmaker. So, to be part of birthing the 2014 show…well that’s the stuff dreams are made of! It is indeed an honour beyond words to serve as this year’s Screen Nation Awards Creative Director.’
Over the last 3 years Obi has become arguably the successful Nollywood cinematic talent working today. His 2011 film The Mirror Boy broke barriers for Nollywood cinema across the world; Last Flight to Abuja set new standards in moviemaking as it flew high to become the most watched online video in Nigeria in 2013 and his latest hit Onye Ozi has single handedly revived the Ibo language film industry. He is currently nominated with Last Flight to Abuja at the prestigious Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) 2014 for Best Sound Editor, Best Movie Director, Best Movie and Best Movie (Drama). Vote here
He says: ‘No one will celebrate us, unless we celebrate ourselves. After 9 years of Screen Nation recognizing and appreciating UK and international African heritage Film and TV talent with awards, it looks like black talent has suddenly become fashionable for the mainstream award bodies. However, even after this new fad has faded and the mainstream has returned to business as usual, Screen Nation will remain to continue recognising the talents that help to give our people a voice and a face on TV and in films.’
The 9th Screen Nation Film & Television Awards takes place on Sunday 23rd February 2014 at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel, London. The star-studded ceremony will be hosted by the hilarious comedian Ali Baba aka the Godfather of Nigerian comedy who shares the stage with Caroline Chikezie, the gorgeous Hollywood based actress and newest star of the iconic 24 series starring Kiefer Sutherland.
You can see the full list of nominees and vote for your favorite rising African talents exclusively at www.screennation.com. Voting for nominees in all categories are open now until February 20th, with public voting categories accessed exclusively via the Screen Nation website.
