THE African Voice newspaper , UK, has released its shortlist of nominees for the 2011 African Film Awards a.k.a Afro Hollywood Awards. The winners in each award category, who will be attending the prestigious annual awards in London, will be announced at a special ceremony on Sunday 9th October in Osogbo, Osun State, South West Nigeria.The African Actor of the Year will be contested by one of South Africa's leading actors, Presley Chweneyagae (famed for his lead role in Tsotsi), who will slug it out with Saheed Balogun of Nigeria and Majid Michael of Ghana. The keenly contested list of award nominees features heavyweights such as Tonto Dike, Halima Abubakar, Toyin Aimaku, Jamila Umar Nagudu, Funke Adesiyan, Lekan Oladiipo and Peter Edochie contesting in various other categories.The award has helped to make Nollywood popular and opened an array of opportunities for past recipients. The 16th Afro Hollywood Award has the theme 'Tourism in Africa & the film industry'.Commenting on the theme of the award this year, Prince Mike Abiola, publisher of African Voice Newspaper, UK, said: 'Our aim is to create a synergy between filmmakers and government tourism boards; to ensure films are used to promote investment in tourism.'Osogbo has been chosen as the special place to announce the winners of this year's awards because the state is blessed with natural scenery ideal for film making. There is no reason why the government should not designate the state as a film friendly state with incentives for filmmakers.'A distinguished and independent panel of film critics, respected for their expertise in the film industry, will decide the eventual winners of each award.The year's awards, Celebrating Excellence in African Film and Tourism, will be an opportunity to highlight the tourism development plans of African states, as the event coincides with the World Tourism Market, the leading global event for the tourism industry. The awards ceremony will be held on Sunday 6 November at the historic Stratford Town Hall, 29 Broadway, Stratford, London.The annual event is supported by the Nigeria High Commission, London. Arik Air is the headline sponsor for this year's African Film Awards.The nominees are:African Actor of the Year(African Film category)Saheed Balogun (Nigeria)Majid Michael (Ghana)Presley Chweneyagae (South Africa)(Nollywood Film category)Best Actor (English language film)Femi BrainardJoseph BenjaminYemi Blaq Best Actress (English language film)Susan PetersChika IkeTonto DikeBest Actress (Supporting Role in an English language film)Rukky SandyHalima AbubakarNkiru Sylvanus Best Actress (Yoruba language film)Simeon DorisToyin AimakuAyo Adesanya Best Actress (Supporting Role in a Yoruba language film)Toyin Oladiran (Abeni Agbon)Laide BakareFunke Adesiyan Best Actor (Yoruba language film)Odunlade AdekolaMuyiwa AdegokeYomi Fash-Lanso Best Actor (Supporting Role in a Yoruba language film)Muka RayLekan OladiipoTayo Adeleye Best Actor (Hausa language film)Aminu Sherif MomohIbrahim MaishunkuBabelle Hayatu Best Actress (Hausa language film)Sadiya MohammedMayam BoothJamila Umar Nagudu Veteran ActorTafa OloyedeKayode OlasehindeGbolagade Akinpelu Veteran ActressGrace Oyin Adejobi (Iya Osogbo)Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero)Iyabo Ogunsola Best Director (English film)Kingsley Omo EfeTeco BensonChidi Nwakobia Best Director (Yoruba film)Abbey LanreAntar LaniyanBayo TijaniTelevision Soap Actress (Nigeria)Yinka OlukungaBukky Ogunnote-OgunadeBola Sowunmi New Acting TalentBukola AwoyemiMayowa AtandaFunke Etti Entertainment Journalist (Print)Ayo Lawal (PM News)Amatus Arinze (Sun Newspaper)Bayo Adeoye (Weekend Life) Entertainment Journalist (Broadcast)Tolulope Olusola Lamidi (TV Continental)Jacqueline (AIT)Michael Nwadibe (Silverbird TV) Photo - Journalist (Print)Femi AdagunodoTaofiq AdejareAdekunle AjayiNew Comedy TalentAhmed Basheer AdekunleBernard Babatunde Tayo (Baba Tee)Okoh SolomonSpecial categoryPosthumousSam Loco - EfeSpecial Contributions to the development of filmsHon. Rotimi MakindeSpecial Arts Personality of the Year & Custodian of CultureHRH, Oba Olasunkami Gbolagade, Olojo of OjoSpecial Contributions to the development of Arts & CultureChief Yemi Elebuibon
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