Lifetime achievement award for King Ampaw
Film director King Ampaw felt on top of the world when the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations, Hannah Tetteh, presented him with a lifetime achievement award at the dinner/awards event that closed the Accra International Film Festival (AIFF).
The function at the Banquet Hall of the State House in Accra last Sunday, was the climax of the six- day festival organised by Katamadara Concepts.
Trained at the Munich Film Academy in Germany, King Ampaw is best-known for his films Kukurantumi-Road To Accra and No Time To Die. He was a producer on the Cobra Verde film that starred the famous Klaus Kinski.
In brief comments after receiving his award, Ampaw urged all present at the ceremony and stakeholders in the cinema business here to help nurse the AIFF into a distinctive event for Africa and the Diaspora.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations who presented the award on behalf of President John Mahama, challenged Ghanaian and African filmmakers to see films as much more than avenues for entertainment.
“When you see some of the American blockbuster movies, no matter how much violence takes place, no matter the crisis, at the end of the day, America succeeds,” she said. “I think it would be good that at the end of the day in Ghanaian or African films, Africa is also seen to succeed.”
Other award winners on the night were Adjetey Anang, Hajia Hawa Mei Zongo, Kofi Bucknor, George Williams, Tetteh ‘Wrally T’ Apain, David Dontoh, Grace Nortey, Hammond Mensah, Nadia Buari, Jackie Appiah, Shirley Frimpong- Manso and Bill Duke.
Osmo Kwame Addo, AIFF’s Executive Director, said though there were challenges, he and his colleagues did their best to contain them.
“We had fairly good patronage for the events that comprised the festival and we are looking forward to another good one next year, ” the Executive Director said.
The Managing Director of Katamadara Concepts, Emma K. Boakye also said the festival had been an eye-opener and they would work harder to build on it.
“We learnt as we went along and we hope to bring on a bigger and better affair next year,” she stated.
Well-known fashion designer Kofi Ansah showcased some of his exquisite designs and singers Dada KD and Nana Kwame Ampadu also entertained guests with their music.
The AIFF was presented by PZ Imperial Leather and supported by His Majesty’s Freight Services, Viasat 1 Tv., Porche Car Company, Silverbird Cinema, SIC Company, TV3, AIT and Graphic Communications Group Limited.