Phoenix Fury by Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Feature Movie at AFRIFF, 2024 Globe Awards

by Babatunde Adekanmbi

Phoenix Fury a Nollywood Movie by Uzoamaka Onuoha wins Best Feature Movie with a hopping sum of ₦4.5M at AFRIFF, 2024 Globe Awards at Oriental Hotel Lekki Lagos on November 9th 2024
Directed by Ifeoma Nkiruka Chukwuogo, Phoenix Fury showcases a filmmaker’s ability to seamlessly blend past and present elements together serving us a fine collage of storytelling.

The film follows Ifeatu from her birth through a series of largely unfortunate events that lead her to seek revenge against a man who wrecked her life; Yali. Divided into four chapters, we are taken on a journey with two main characters for each period. Through seamless transitions, the film effortlessly moves between two worlds—one rooted in the struggles of the past and the other in the complexities of the present.

The rising actress stood out amongst other nominees for role in the movie, Agemo. Winning best Actress
The Nollywood actress Uzoamaka Onuoha also won the award for Best Director and best female performance in a feature award at the just-concluded African Film Festival on November 9, 2024.
The AFRIFF 2024 Globe Awards opens with red carpet glamour, with interviews sessions going on simultaneously whereby the Consent of both the dignitaries and attendees on their expectations at the globe awards.
The Globe Awards night also honours ,Herbert Wigwe as Headless premieres who continuously supported the festival for over a decade before his Demise and two memorial awards in fashion and Culinary was inaugurated in his memorial. The Family of the departed reiterate their commitment towards supporting the festival continuously with these two memorial

With over three nominations, Uzoamaka Onuoha stood out for her role in Agemo. Directed by Moshood Abiola Obatula, the film follows Agatha as she navigates a dangerous and mysterious world and highlights the challenges faced by women. The supernatural feature explores themes of manipulation, power dynamics, and the consequences of exploiting the vulnerable.

Onuoha who plays the lead character is a fast-rising actress with several works to her credit including, Inside Life (2022), If I Am President (2018) and Blood Sisters (2022).Although the film release its first-look pictures on December, 2023, it is set for release to the public this year.
The Movie was Written by Esther Olayinka, the film features Uzoamaka Onuoha, Raphael Ayara, Joe Kosoko, Yinka Quadri, Mojisola Afolayan, Kola Olaiya, Lawal Aramide Pabira and Darasimi Madi.
As AFRIFF shines as a beacon for African storytelling, forging connections that transcend borders and positioning African cinema as a driving force in the global film industry the Converner Chioma Ude took time to appreciate the French embassy, who have been a pillar of support to the festival.
The Afriff Convener Mrs Chioma Ude presneted an Award of meritorious service towards supporting the festival to the coordinating Director at French Embassy who will be rotating out, and likely this Will be his last time overseeing the tie between Afriff and The French Embassy
The French Embassy objective towards boosting the Nigerian creative industry through the festival can’t not be overemphasized, She reiterates

The meeting earlier had during the week took place within the framework of the Africa International Film Festival, AFRIFF with which the French Embassy is collaborated to carry out a qualitative event allowing French and Nigerian expertise in the audiovisual sector to be endorsed within the most prominent Nollywood platform

The embassy explained that the objective is to present and facilitate development and cooperation’s possibilities in Nigeria and to promote quality French content to Nigerian producers and distributors and the various tools made available to them to co-produce with France.

“Their knowledge will also be activated during the meetings to help identify and offer opportunities to the Nigerian talents of tomorrow. Indeed, the new generation of Nollywood is sensitive to the possibilities of international co-productions, the search for new audiences and the opportunity to one day is present in the selection of major international festivals, like Cannes.

“Altogether, the presence of this French delegation at AFRIFF is part of an overall action plan of the French Embassy in Nigeria, with the general objective of strengthening the Nigerian and French collaboration in the audio-visual sector and develop co-productions.

“The French Embassy’s actions, scattered throughout the year, encompass workshops, networking moments, delegations visits to France or welcoming French representatives to Nigeria.”

AFRIFF offers Awards in categories such as Feature, Documentary, Short, Animation and Students Short, as well as awards and prizes in Directing, Acting and Screenplay. It also features special awards for Audience choice and a Jury award for outstanding
The Jury took time to thoroughly analyzed and gave their decision without any sentiment.
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A total of 160 films were showcased, with around 60 being feature-length. Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo emerged as the standout winner of the night, securing top honors for both Best Film and Best Director.
Here is a full list of the winners and honorees at this year’s AFFRIF Globe awards which took place at the Oriental Hotel in Lagos

Winners List

BEST FEATURE FILM

Phoenix Fury – Directed by Ifeoma N Chukwuogo (Nigeria)

BEST DIRECTOR

Ifeoma N Chukwuogo – Phoenix Fury (Nigeria)

BEST FEMALE PERFORMANCE

Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo (Nigeria)

BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

Calladita/The Quiet Maid | Directed by Miguel Faus (Spain)

BEST SCREENPLAY

The Man Died- Bode Asiyanbi (Nigeria)

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

From God to Man| Directed by Lansana Mansaray (Sierra Leone)

BEST AFRICAN DOCUMENTARY

Mother City| Directed by Miki Redelinghuys (South Africa)

BEST INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY

Memories of Love Returned| Directed by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (American)

BEST ANIMATION

Hadu| Directed by Damilola Solesi (Nigeria) with a sum of $2000

BEST STUDENT SHORT FILM

Last Minutes| Directed by Nicole E. Emechebe (Nigeria)

BEST AFRICAN SHORT FILM

Adunni| Directed by Tola Falonipe ( Nigeria)

BEST INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM

Cookie Box| Directed by Adam Zurawiecki (Poland)

Honorees list

AMBITIOUS WORK JURY PRIZE

Freedom Way | Directed by Afolabi Olalekan (Nigeria)

THE HERBERT WIGWE TRAILBLAZER AWARDS FOR CULINARY ARTS

Chef Tolu Eros (Nigerian)

THE HERBERT WIGWE TRAILBLAZER AWARDS FOR FASHION

Ugo Mozie (Nigerian)

The Afriff 2024 Globe Awards Night wraps up with a performance from a Nigerian Artiste Reekado Banks who lit up the atmosphere with his sensational music
The Annual Ariff festival gathering served as a fitting dedicated to fostering collaboration and celebrating African cinema’s global impact.

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