The Africa Film Academy (AFA) has called for submissions ahead of its 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).

The organisers of the annual award ceremony also unveiled plans and activities for the 2024 edition.

According to a statement, Shaibu Husseni, the director-general of the Nigeria Film and Video Censor Board, will return as the head of AMAA’s college of screeners for the 20th edition.

Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, the designated CEO of the AFA board, said the decision to unveil the activities ahead of AMAA 2024 was a deliberate move to involve every film practitioner in Africa and the diaspora.

Anyiam-Osigwe said entries in all award categories will end in April.

He said Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Lagos state governor, will return as the host for the 20th edition of the AMAAs.

“This is an avenue to officially end the 19th edition of the AMAAs under the supervision of the Africa Film Academy and begin the journey to AMAA 2024,” he said.

“The 20th edition of the AMAA will serve as a testimony to African creativity as we celebrate and toast not just the Founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and her contribution in placing African film and filmmakers on the global stage."

“But also 20 years of AMAA which showcases the finest in African film and cinematography and has brought the World to appreciate African film and filmmakers. AMAA is currently calling for entries in all categories, and this will last till April 2024. We are now accepting submissions for the 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards."

“The Africa Film Academy invites filmmakers to submit their feature, film shorts, animation, and documentary work for consideration in nearly 30 film categories of the awards. One of the reasons for creating AMAA is to provide and create a networking platform and avenue for African filmmakers and practitioners to interact while getting rewarded for their creativity, uniqueness, authenticity, and professionalism."

“We are not a popularity contest, we are a professional contest that rewards professionalism across Africa and Diaspora based on Merit and best practice, hence, why AMAA has two faces to it, which is the critical look and judgement of professionalism and the glamorous part.”

Husseini, who spoke on behalf of the jury and college of screeners, said they are looking forward to receiving great films from African filmmakers.

“I would like to reiterate that the country of film is different from the origin of film. We don’t encourage films that don’t have Africans or filmmakers of African descent. Films can be uploaded on the film freeway,” he said.