Organisers of the forthcoming All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) have finally closed submission of entry for its maiden edition.
The call for entry was initially opened on May 15 and billed to close on July 5. However, the International Committee of AFRIMA extended the closing date to July 19 to accommodate the deluge of more entries from interested participants across the continent and also to give an equal chance to many who felt disenfranchised due to lack of Internet access.
The entry finally closed on July 21.
AFRIMA insisted on submission of entries online in order to achieve transparency and get artistes to adapt to modern and future forms of communication.
A total of 2,025 entries were received on the AFRIMA website and Facebook page from artistes, record companies, music enthusiasts and music/entertainment journalists across the continent and in the diaspora whose works were produced in the year under review – May 31, 2013 to July 20, 2014.
Director, Brand Communication and Sponsorships, Matlou Tsotetsi, expressed excitement over the high record of entries.
Her words: “The International Committee is excited about the entries received. It is a reflection of the understanding and acceptability of the vision and ideals of AFRIMA’s intent to pursue and communicate to the rest of the world.”
The submitted works will be further screened by a 13-person jury panel that are part of the AFRIMA Academy of Voters comprising of 527 members grouped into two layers of adjudicators spread across the five regions of Africa.
The award ceremony, which promises to be a premium and star-studded event, will take place on November 9. It will be broadcast in 84 countries on 109 television stations across the world.
This will be preceded by the AFRIMA Village – a four-day event of music festivities featuring national pavilions, cultural/entertainment exhibitions and music concerts between November 4 and 7.
