Jackie Appiah Wins Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards for “Red Carpet”

Jackie Appiah. Photo Credit: Emmy Gallery Photos/Instagram

In a dazzling celebration of African cinema, Jackie Appiah has taken home the coveted award for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2024 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) gala held in Lagos, Nigeria, on November 2. The Canadian-Ghanaian screen icon won the accolade for her stunning performance in “Red Carpet”, a film that has resonated with audiences across the continent and beyond for its rich storytelling and captivating portrayal of the pressures and triumphs behind the glitzy facade of celebrity life.

The movie, directed by Frank Rajah Arase, is a bold production by Samis Media, led by celebrated filmmaker and costume designer Samira Yakubu. It features an all-star cast, including Kalsoume Sinare, Grace Omaboe, Selly Galley, Roselyn Ngissah, Adjetey Annang, Abeiku Santana, Beverly Afaglo, and Deyemi Okanlawon, among others.

Jackie Appiah. Photo Credit: Thom Felix/Instagram

In “Red Carpet”, Jackie Appiah plays the role of Amara, an ambitious actress caught between her dreams and the realities of stardom. The film dives into the challenges of balancing fame with personal life, as Amara’s career flourishes yet her private life frays. Appiah’s portrayal captures the emotional depth of a woman wrestling with her identity amidst the spotlight, while conveying the heartbreak and pressure that fame often entails.

Jackie Appiah has long been a celebrated figure in the African film industry, known for her versatile roles and consistent dedication to her craft. With a career spanning nearly two decades, Appiah has become one of Ghana’s most recognized and respected actresses, starring in a range of movies that highlight her talent and depth. She’s also known for her advocacy for African cinema and her efforts to inspire the next generation of filmmakers and actors on the continent.

Her win at the 2024 AMAA reaffirms her position as a trailblazer in the industry. From her early days in television to her current status as a leading lady in Nollywood and Ghanaian cinema, Appiah has continually pushed boundaries, using her platform to tell powerful stories and to represent African women on the global stage.

The AMAA, often referred to as the “African Oscars,” is one of the most prestigious events celebrating African cinema, and it has served as a springboard for many African actors, directors, and filmmakers. The event is known for bringing together stars and creative minds from across the continent for a glamorous night celebrating the best in African filmmaking.

A total of 26 awards were won by African film practitioners, including actors, cinematographers, costumiers, producers, set designers, and more.

See full list of winners:

EFERE OZAKO AWARD FOR BEST SHORT FILM

The Last Shoe Maker (Uganda)- WINNER
Seben (Mali)
Dear Future Wife (South Africa)
Isolated (Nigeria)
Joia (Angola)
Strike A Blow And Die (Malawi)
Don’t Call Me Beautiful (Ghana)
Sins Of A Father (Zimbabwe/USA)

JUBRIL MALAFIA AWARD FOR BEST ANIMATION

Heavy Crown (Libya)
Counter Punch (Kenya) – WINNER
Journey of the Legend (Cameroon)
Hadu (Nigeria)
Between Paya and Koulou (Senegal)
Oya (The goddess of gods) (Nigeria)
Set Pieces (Sudan)

BEST DOCUMENTARY

A Quand L’Afrique (Congo Brazzaville)
The Night Still Smells of Gun Powder (Mozambique) – WINNER
The Return Train (Mali)
Gateway To Dreams (Cameroon)
Rainbow Nation (South Africa)
Dela- The Making of EL-Anatsui (Nigeria)
Donga (Libya)
Rising Up At Night (DRC)

BEST DIASPORA SHORT FILM

The Neigbourhood Alert (USA)- WINNER
Bottled Up (Jamaica)
The Golden Boy (USA)

BEST DIASPORA DOCUMENTARY

The Wu Tang Clan: Live at Red Rocks Amphitheatre (USA) – WINNER
A Rising Tide (USA)
Colour (USA)

BEST DIASPORA NARRATIVE FEATURE

Outlaw Posse (USA)- WINNER
Mickey Hardaway (USA)
Love After Holidays (USA)

MICHAEL ANYIAM OSIGWE AWARD FOR BEST FILM BY AN AFRICAN LIVING ABROAD

Out Of Breath (Nigeria/UK)
Orah (Nigeria/Canada)
Isolated (Nigeria/UK)
Under The Hanging Tree (Namibia/UK)- WINNER
Kipkemboi (Nigeria/ Canada)

OUSMANE SEMBENE AWARD FOR BEST FILM IN AN AFRICAN LANGUAGE

Makula (Uganda)
Jagun Jagun (Nigeria)
The Queenstown Kings (South Africa)- WINNER
Kaka (Nigeria)
Eskhalemi Sikantombella (South Africa)
Unheard (Uganda)
Out of Breath (Nigeria)

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN

The Beads
The Weekend
White and Black
Jagun Jagun
The Queenstown Kings
Mai Martaba- WINNER
Out of Breath

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKE-UP

The Weekend
Nawi
Letters to Goddo
Out of Breath
Jagun Jagun – WINNER
Anjola
White and Black

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECT

Kipkemboi
Jagun Jagun- WINNER
Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend
Bokwagter
Out of Breath

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUNDTRACK

The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings
Orah
Mojisola
Red Carpet
Boda Love – WINNER

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND

A Smile, A Wink and a Tear
The Weekend
Under the Hanging Tree
The Queenstown Kings- WINNER
Boda Love
Kipkemboi
Boda Love

ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN

Orah
The Queenstown Kings
The Weekend
Jagun Jagun
Kipkemboi
Makula
Out of Breath- WINNER

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

The Weekend- WINNER
Nawi
Kipkemboi
Letters to Goddo
This is Lagos
The Queenstown Kings
A Smile, A Wink and A Tear

ACHIEVEMENT IN EDITING

Under The Hanging Tree- WINNER
The Weekend
This is Lagos
Nawi
Kipkemboi
The Beads
Anjola

ACHIEVEMENT IN SCREENPLAY

Under The Hanging Tree
The Weekend- WINNER
Letter To Goddo
This is Lagos
Boda love
The Queenstown Kings
Out of Breath

NATIONAL FILM AND VIDEO CENSORS BOARD (NFVCB) AWARD FOR BEST NIGERIAN FILM

The Weekend- WINNER
This is Lagos
Afamefuna
Jagun Jagun
Mai Martaba
A Smile, A wink and a tear
Out of Breath

BEST YOUNG/ PROMISING ACTOR

Michell Lemuya (Nawi)- WINNER
Likhona Mgali (The Queenstown Kings)
Agape mngomezulu (Orah)
William Dias (Bokwagter)
Kofi Adu-Gyamfi (Tejiri)
Ruby Akubueze (She)
Fatima Muhammed (Mai Martaba)

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Sandile Mahlangu (The Queenstown Kings)
Ochungo Benson (Nawi)
Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey (The Weekend)
Ikechukwu Onunaku (This is Lagos)
Lucky Ejim (Orah)
Solomon Fixon Owoo (Letters to Goddo)
Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)- WINNER

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Meg Otanwa (The Weekend)
Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa (The Queenstown Kings)
Elsie Chidera Abang (Kipkemboi)- WINNNER
Tessa Twala (The Queenstown Kings)
Bukunmi Oluwashina (White and Black)
Somkele Iyamah-Idhalamah (Orah)
Chioma Akpotha (Mojisola)

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Zolixa Xaluva (The Queenstown Kings)- WINNER
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Duncan Murunyu Mungai (Boda Love)
Nenesenor Abloso (Letters to Goddo)
Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
Femi Jacobs (Anjola)
Chidi Mokeme (Out of Breath)

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Girley Jazama (Under The Hanging Tree)
Oyin Oladejo (Orah)
Unati Faku (The Queenstown Kings)
Uzoamaka Aniunoh (The Weekend)
Laura Pepple (This is Lagos)
Jackie Appiah (Red Carpet)- WINNER
Efe Irele (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)

BEST DEBUT FEATURE FILM BY A DIRECTOR

LETTERS TO GODDO (Harry Bentil)- WINNER
RISING UP AT NIGHT (Nelson Makengo)
SHE (Seun Richards)

BEST DIRECTOR

Daniel Emeka Oriahi (The Weekend)
Kenneth Gyang (This Is Lagos)
Jahmil X.T Qubeka (The Queenstown Kings)- WINNER
Perivi Katjavivi (Under The Hanging Tree)
Lonzo Nzekwe (Orah)
Harry Bentil ( Letters To Goddo)
Izu Ojukwu (A Smile, A Wink and A Tear)