Keith Shiri returns to lead AMAA 2023 Jury

The Africa Film Academy (AFA), the driving force behind the prestigious Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), has announced the re-appointment of renowned international film curator and programme advisor, Keith Shiri, as the President of the Jury for the 19th edition of the AMAA.

Born in Zimbabwe but based in the UK, Shiri brings his wealth of experience and expertise to preside over the esteemed panel of jurors for the second consecutive year.

In 2022, Keith Shiri steered the 12-member international jury to select outstanding films from across Africa, setting the stage for an unforgettable awards ceremony.

As he takes the helm once more, the film industry eagerly anticipates his discerning eye and vast knowledge of African cinema to shape the 2023 AMAA.

Shiri will lead a distinguished group of curators, filmmakers, and critics, including luminaries like Dorothee Wenner, known for her role as a film curator and programmer at the Berlin International Film Festival, and June Giviani, a film curator and archivist.

Joining the jury are notable figures such as Berni Goldblat, a Burkinabe-Swiss filmmaker, and former Burkina Faso Minister of Culture Phillipe Savadego.

The jury’s composition further includes accomplished individuals like John Akomfrah, an acclaimed filmmaker; Hon. Steve Ayorinde, a journalist, author, and former Commissioner of Culture in Lagos State; and Charles Brunnet, an award-winning filmmaker.

Shaibu Husseini, a journalist and Creative Industry Expert, Asentewa Olatunji, Executive Director of the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles, and Ayoku Babu, Co-founder of PAFF, bring their expertise to the panel as well. Additionally, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, former Managing Director of the Nigerian Film Corporation (NFC), adds depth to the jury.

Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, representing the Africa Film Academy, expressed excitement about Keith Shiri’s return as Jury President, emphasizing the tradition of extending jury presidents’ tenures over two consecutive editions.

This tradition echoes the leadership of Hon. Steve Ayorinde, who served as jury president for both the 2020 and 2021 editions. Anyiam-Osigwe highlighted Keith Shiri’s unparalleled experience spanning over three decades and his dedication to promoting African art and film.

In response to his re-appointment, Keith Shiri expressed his gratitude to the AFA board while acknowledging the absence of the beloved founder and CEO, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, in this inaugural edition.

He shared: “I don’t know what to say, but of course, it is rather sad to preside over this first edition without our CEO, founder, and sister Peace Ogechi Marie Anyiam-Osigwe. But we have an award to deliver, and deliver we must.”

Apart from his role as Jury President, Keith Shiri is currently curating the Icons of the Africa Centre Series for a legendary London-based cultural institution. He also serves as a consultant on film business development for the International Trade Centre (ITC), a United Nations agency working on promoting film exports from the Caribbean to the UK and European markets.

Shiri’s contributions to the world of cinema extend to his membership on the Berlinale World Cinema Fund from 2004 to 2007 and his role as a trainer for Esodoc/EU (European Social Documentary), a program for documentary filmmakers.

He has also served as an expert advisor for the EU-ACP program for the ACP cinema and on the advisory board of Focus Features Africa First Programme in New York, supporting young African filmmakers through mentorship.

The 19th edition of the AMAA has received an impressive 368 entries from filmmakers across Africa. Following meticulous selection by the committee led by Dr. Shaibu Husseini, 102 outstanding films across various genres have been forwarded to the AMAA jurors for nominations.

The eagerly awaited nominations would be unveiled on September 20th, promising another memorable celebration of African cinema excellence in Lagos this October.