Malawi movie wins award in Africa Magic: APM congratulates Joyce Mhango Chavula for ‘Lilongwe’ movie gong

Malawi has won its first ever Africa Magic Viewers Choice Best Southern Africa Movie Award, thanks to actress and producer Joyce Mhango Chavula’s movie, “Lilongwe”.

The Armstel Malta’s Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) were held on Saturday in Nigeria where the Malawian movie producer and director was decorated with the Best Southern Africa Movie Award.

This is the first a AMVCA Award for Malawi and third for the region. Southern Africa also won Best Makeup Artist– through “Ayanda” by South Africa’s Louiza Calore while Best Cinematography Award went to Paul Michaelson for “Tell Me Sweet Something”.

Chavula, who was joined onstage by lead actress in the movie, Brenda Mselu, dedicated the award to all Malawians.

Presidential congratulations

Meanwhile, President Peter Mutharika has congratulated the local movie director and actress Joyce Mhango Chavula for winning the Best Southern Africa movie at the AMVCA in Nigeria.

Mutharika said the award symbolises the growth of Malawi’s creative industry and that recognition will compel players to do more to grow the sector.

“We are glad that sons and daughters of this nation continue to put our mother Malawi on the map and let me take this opportunity to congratulate all those that have taken part in the movie ‘Lilongwe’ to gain this international accolade.

“I would therefore ask everyone to emulate this and continue working hard in their respective careers and embrace the three pillars of handwork, patriotism and integrity. Together we can do more to make our nation great,” posted Mutharika on his official Facebook page.

Lilongwe the movie

Lilongwe is a story of young woman played by Brenda Mselu who is a professional prostitute and has three children from three different men.

She has a decent day job but her main cash cow is the married men she sleeps with.

The climax is when she seduces and falls in love with a foreign married man played by Joab Chakhaza who is in Lilongwe on duty.

When his wife played by Chavula later comes to visit, hell breaks loose as Lilongwe’s past comes back to haunt her. Throughout the story according to Chavula, Lilongwe is saying, “don’t judge me, you don’t know my story.”

Following is the full list of winners of 2016 Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards;

Best Art Director – Frank Raja Arase for “The Refugees”

Best TV Series – Ariyike Oladipo for “Daddy’s Girls”

Best Makeup Artist– Louiza Calore for “Ayanda”

Best Short Film – Oluseyi Amuwa for “A Day With Death”

Best Writer – Trish Malone for “Ayanda”

Best Lighting – Stanlee Ohikhuare for “Common Man”

Best Cinematography – Paul Michaelson for “Tell Me Sweet Something”

Best Sound Editor – Marquez Jose Guillermo for “Dry”

Best Picture Editor – Shirley Frimpong-Manso for “Rebecca”

Best Costume Design – Uche Nancy for “Dry”

Best Local Language (Swahili) – Single Mtambalike for “Kitendawali”

Best Local Language (Hausa) – Salisu Balarabe for “Dadin Kowa”

Best Local Language (Yoruba) – Abiodun Jomoh & Jumoke Odetola for “Binta Ofege”

Best Local Language (Igbo) – Paul Igwe for “Usekwu Igbo”

Best Documentary – Remi Vaughan Richards for “Faaji Agba”

Best Supporting Actor – Sambassa Nseribe for “A Soldier’s Story”

Best Supporting Actress – Tunbosun Aiyedehin “Before 30”

Best Actor (Comedy) – Folarin Falz Falana for “Jenifa’s Diary”

Best Actress (Comedy) – Funke Akindele for “Jenifa’s Diary”

2016 AMVCA Trailblazer – Kemi Lala Akindoju

2016 AMVCA Industry Merit Awards – Bukky Ajayi & Sadiq Daba

• Best Movie (Southern Africa) – “Lilongwe” by Joyce Mhango Chavula

Best Movie (Eastern Africa) – “Mapenzi” by Elizabeth Michael

Best Movie (Western Africa) – “Road To Yesterday” by Chinny Onwugbenu, Genevieve Nnaji & Chichi Nwoko

Best Actress (Drama) – Adesua Etomi for “Falling”

Best Actor (Drama) – Daniel K. Daniel for “A Soldier’s Story”

Best Director – Akin Omotosho for “Tell Me Sweet Something”

Best Overall Movie – “Dry” by Stephanie Linus

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