As a follow up to last year’s maiden edition, the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) 2014 held at Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday, the 8th of March, 2014. The event was well attended and successful, with remarkable winners across Africa in 27 categories.
One winner who has been on everyone’s lips is Nigerian born Tope
Tedela, the recipient of the AMVCA Award for best actor in a drama for his role
in the movie titled ‘A Mile from Home’. The movie is one of Nollywood’s few
original action thrillers and a must watch. View the Movie Trailer here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BOwWHbTpAAs and
Tope’s Nomination video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cs7doD0UuOk.
THE IP JOURNAL: Tell us about
yourself, your passions and values?
TOPE TEDELA: My name is Christopher
Temitope Tedela but I'm commonly called Tope Tedela. I was born and raised in
Lagos, Nigeria and I have a degree in Mass Communication from University of
Lagos, Nigeria. I'm passionate about acting as much as I'm passionate about
young people being guided early. I'm also passionate about mental health issues
in Nigeria. My values are hinged largely on God's love: Loving my neighbour as
I would love myself and I try to see that it influences every aspect of my
life.
THE IP JOURNAL: How did you feel when you were announced the
winner? And what was peculiar about the movie?
TOPE TEDELA: I felt shock really. In a split second I wondered if it was
real. Of course, I was also delighted and felt honoured being a recipient of
the award. Like I've repeatedly said, the movie was birthed and eventually made
out of a desire to tell a story we're all familiar with differently. The script
was great and I was invited to be a part of it.
THE IP JOURNAL: What's
your personal industry goal?
TOPE TEDELA: In my own corner of the industry, I hope I can properly
interpret the scripts I work on, to serve the story the best way I can.
THE IP JOURNAL: What's your vision for Nollywood?
TOPE TEDELA: I think
Nigeria has come a long way but a lot still needs to be done. In the near
future, I see a people who are passionate about getting things right in every
aspect of film production.
THE IP JOURNAL: What are your thoughts on the importance of creativity and
originality in movie and music productions?
TOPE TEDELA: I feel that there
are a lot of ideas that have not been explored which we ought to be doing more
of. It's best that we remain ourselves because only then can we be loved and
appreciated by others. People want to see fresh perspectives on story-telling
and so on; it's our responsibility to give it to them so that they can return
for more.
THE IP JOURNAL: Any thoughts on how increased creative works can be
beneficial to the nation's image and ranking?
TOPE TEDELA: Regardless of how we
think our nation is, it is also the responsibility of the creators to portray
the positives of our country to the outside world. That is something a lot of
other countries have managed to succeed at. It's not all negative in this
country because good things are still coming out of Nigeria. These need to be
reflected in the arts.
THE IP JOURNAL: Any advice to youths out there and aspiring
actors?
TOPE TEDELA: I'm also a youth navigating the path I've chosen and I've learnt
that having a good attitude, being consistent in your approach to work and how
far you're willing to go in its pursuit (by this I mean seminars, workshops,
reading, etc), building healthy relationships and so on, are all important.
Tope Tedela’s Thank you
Speech at the AMVCA’s can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PySE5EBvVNo
He has since appeared on several notable
interviews such as YNaija: http://www.ynaija.com/how-the-amvca-win-has-affected-my-life-tope-tedela-speaks-to-ynaija/ , Jara: http://africamagic.dstv.com/2014/03/24/jara-tope-tedela-interview/ and Studio 53. He continues to act in other productions,
while playing his guitar and doing
back-up vocals with a music band.
 |
| Tope on Studio 53 with Nse Ikpe-Etim et al |
If you missed the AMVCA 2014, here is the full list of winners:
Best Movie Drama: Frank Rajah Arase – The Groom’s Bride
Best Movie Comedy: Elvis Chucks – A Wish
Best Actor in a
Drama: Tope Tedela – A Mile From Home
Best Supporting
Actress: Bikiya Graham-Douglas – Flower Girl
Best Supporting
Actor: Desmond Elliot – Finding Mercy
Best Actress in a
Comedy: Funke Akndele – Return of Sheri Koko
Best Actor in a
Comedy: Osita Iheme – The Hero
Best Television Series
Comedy/Drama: Catherine Phiri
– Love GamesEpisode 6
Best Short Film: Walter “Waltbanger” Taylaur – The Wages
Best
Documentary: Dr. Gilbert Chigbo
(Narrator) – The Deadwood
Best Indigenous
Language Movie/Series (Swahili): Njoki Muhoho –Mama
Duka
Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Yoruba):
Mercy Aigbe – Komfo
Best Indigenous Language Movie/Series (Hausa):
Abba Muko Yakassai – Habib
Best Online Video: Amarachukwu Onoh – Mother
Tongue
Best Writer (Drama): Shirley Frimpong-Manso &
Hertey Owusu – The Contract
Best Writer (Comedy): Jigi Bello – Flower
Girl
Best Cinematographer: Christian Almesberger – Nairobi
Half Life
Best Art Director: Barbara Minishi – Nairobi
Half Life
Best Sound Editor: Obi Emelonye & Luke
Corradine – Last Flight to Abuja
Best Video Editor: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
– The Contract
Best Lighting Designer: Mohammed Zain – Nairobi
Half Life
Best Costume
Design: Chiemela Nwagboso – The Kingdom
Best Make-up
Artist: Elayne Okaya – Nairobi Half Life
Industry Merit Award: Pete Edochie
Trailblazer Award: Michelle Bello
New Era Award: Rita Dominic
That's a wrap, catch you next time with another rising star!
Keep being creative!
© April 2014 by Lola Agbaje-Williams
Photo Credits: Africa Magic, Studio 53, Tope Tedela.
Lola Agbaje-Williams is a Legal Practitioner who is passionate about Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law. You can contact her via her email address: lolaagbajewilliams@gmail.com or follow on her on Twitter: @lolawilliams02
Lola Agbaje-Williams is a Legal Practitioner who is passionate about Intellectual Property, Media and Entertainment Law. You can contact her via her email address: lolaagbajewilliams@gmail.com or follow on her on Twitter: @lolawilliams02
I commend Tope's achievements. And the humility with which I knew him back in University days is still evident in his dealings. He will go far. No doubt! We are here cheering!
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