Former Lagos State commissioner for tourism, art and culture Steve Ayorinde has been announced as president of the jury for the 2020 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA).
The announcement was confirmed in a statement sent sent to Qed.ng on Monday.
A journalist and public administrator, Mr Ayorinde also served as commissioner for information and strategy under immediate past Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos.
He is also regarded as one of Nigeria’s best-renowned film and art critics, who has served on the juries for some of the world’s most recognised film festivals and awards, such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival and Mumbai International Film Festival.
He has been the chairman of the governing council for AMAA for over 10 years.
Nominations for the 2020 AMAA awards will be announced on November 20 2020 and the award ceremony will be held on December 20.
AMAA founder Peace Anyiam-Osigwe said 2020 has been a compelling and interesting year with the COVID-19 pandemic which has negatively impacted the creative and tourism sector globally.
“This year, due to the pandemic, there has been delays and date changes because we have been hoping for the world to open up so we can congregate physically for the AMAAs. Filmmaking and awards are about team and networking, rooms filled with happiness, laughter, wine, dances, and jubilations, for the year’s hard work,” Ms Anyiam-Osigwe said.
She also promised a better awards and prayed that all professionals in the film and creative industry will recover from the impact of coronavirus.
