Ghana’s maiden movie award scheme dubbed: “Emerging Movie Awards Ghana” (EMAG) has extended the official opening of its nominations site from March 10 to March 31 to enable interested film makers to apply.
This would give adequate time and opportunity for those in the movie industry who have not already applied to make a case for themselves and win laurels for their exploit in the year under review.
The award which aims at honouring young talented film makers and personalities in the movie industry has 31 categories.
It included best film, best cinematographer, best lead and supporting actor/actress, best photographer, best screen play original and adapted, best production, assistant, manager and design, best make up, costume, design, best tv and web series among others.
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Speaking in an interview with the site, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of EMAG, Mr Raymond Kombat explained that the extension was based on popular demand, hence nomination forms were still available online and urged young film makers to download and file for their nominations.
He said at the launch of the awards on Saturday in Accra, that interested film makers such as producers, directors, actors and actress should assess the forms on the site, adding that “they have to add 3CDs which contain their art and submit them together with the forms at the Gh Media School in Achimota, Accra.”
In ensuring there is fairness in the nominations, Mr Kombat mentioned that equal platform has been created and juries of the award scheme would accept nominations from filmmakers in all regions of the country.
He assured that the awards would not only recognise achievements, experience and innovation in filmmaking but would also honour production crew and technicians to encourage more youth to take up the challenge to engage in production.
Mr Kombat further stated that he would open more rooms to award hardworking actors, actresses, directors, script writers and influential personalities who have helped to market Ghana’s movies to the foreign countries.
Talented actress, Jessica Williams lauded Mr Kombat for such initiative, saying this would propel film makers in the country to strive for excellence and influence more youth to engage in the sector.
She however called on various corporate entities to assist the good course to make the award a success.
Jessica Williams observed that EMAG came at the right time to revive the current industry from dying and underscored the need for industrial stakeholders to put in much effort to make the country’s movie functional.
Elo Obokia, sensation actress of Nigeria observed that many producers and filmmakers were sidelined, thus encouraged Ghanaian filmmakers to embrace the opportunity to get awarded for their contributions in the industry.
She noted that the award would serve as a network to build strong relationship between Ghana and Nigeria in helping both industries meet foreign markets.
BY JOYCELINE NATALLY CUDJOE