Movies produced in Kumasi are mostly done in Twi, a local language in Ghana. ‘Wood’ has become a generic name for movies. The industry in that part of Ghana now is termed as ‘Kumawood’.
Kumawood has nurtured lots of movie personalities who are doing marvellous in the make-believe fraternity. It has also brought to the limelight lots of budding talents both in the acting and directing field.
Yesterday in Kumasi, the organisers of the ‘Kumawood Film Festival & Akoben Movie Awards’ encountered their first major setback as top actors and actresses dominating the screens when it comes to movies produced in Kumasi boycotted the launch of the awards meant to honour them.
The idea behind the ‘Kumawood Film Festival & Akoben Movie Awards’ is to award Actors, Actresses, Writers, Directors, Producers, Technician and other personalities in the local film making industry in Ghana.
One would have thought that, the awards instituted to acknowledge their exploits and honour them will be viewed as a step in the right direction, especially when they complain of not being given the needed attention and their movies subjected to mockery.
The ceremony started without any of the top actors/actresses being present. Their where about was not readily known as no explanation at all was given. Only few of not so well known faces graced the occasion.
Later after the launch, GhanaCelebrities.Com eavesdropped on conversation between some movie enthusiasts who had graced the occasion hoping to meet their favourite stars and pose for the camera with them.
Information GhanaCelebrities.Com gathered after the launch indicate that, the unexpected boycott by the top stars was because most of them were on location shooting. Some even wondered why, the organisers didn’t liaise with the production houses to release them to attend the media launch.
Mr. Kwaku Twumasi, an Actor, Director and Producer who also doubles as the head of the awards committee denied the above. He explained to GhanaCelebrities.Com that, indeed they extended invitations to some of them but the attention was centered greatly on the media.
“As for the actors, of course, we invited some of them but we needed the media more than any other thing. It is the awards night and the festival itself that we really want the actors to participate”.
The award is not for only movie produced in Twi or in Kumasi. “Actually, the whole program [awards] is not for only actors in Kumasi. It is award that was instituted for producers who are conscious of traditions and customs. Promoting traditions and customs, so you can be in Accra, Walewale, Azim, provided you are conscious of customs and traditions, then you qualify for this award. It’s something for the whole Ghana”.
The ‘K.F.F. & Akoben Movie Awards’ is organised by Kumawood Entertainment and Concept Developers with support from major stakeholders of the film industry. The awards provide opportunities for film makers to have spotlight on their films and also aims at promoting, supporting indigenous Ghanaian film making.
The Committee members for the awards include; Nana Safo Kantanka, Nana Brefo, James Aboagye, Socrate Safo, Nana Wiafe Akenten and headed by Kwaku Twumasi.
The trophy to be given to each winner on December 2, 2011 and theme for the awards was also revealed at the launch.
HOW TO ENTER:
Pick, complete and return an official entry form at the offices of Joy FM, Accra and the office of the Akan Film Producers Association, Culture Centre, Kumasi.
Kumawood Entertainment & Concept Developers is located in Patasi, Kumasi, adjacent KSTS. Visit www.kumawood.com for more details.
Below Are The Categories For The Maiden Edition Of The Awards:
Best Picture [TV Series]
Best Actor [TV Series]
Best Actress [TV Series]
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Visual Effects
Bes Story
Best Picture [Movies]
Most Favourite TV Personality
Most Favourite Actor
Most Favourite Actress
Discovery of the Year
Best Twinglish Personality [Male]
Best Twinglish Personality [Female]
Best Directing
Best Film Editing
Best Screenplay
Best Light Man
Best Script
Best D.O.P.
Best Soundman
Best Marketer
Best TV Comedian
Best TV Comedy
Movie of the Year
The Most Promising Star
Best Traditional Movie
Best Producer
Best Original Song
Best Art Director
Best Cinematography
Best Wardrobe
Best Make Up
Best Production Manager
Click Here To See Photos From The Launch Of The Awards
lmao!kumawood??as inn kumasi hollywood?looll!like c’mon..
WTF what is wrong with Africans and this wood shyt? KUMAWOOD? GC, tell me you guys are lieing? These Kumasi based people have issues
@Tracy,
“Kumawood” sounds belly than gollywood or ghallywood, give us a break!!!!
@Tracy,
“Kumawood” sounds better than gollywood or ghallywood (both goofy), give us a break!!!!
KUMAWOOD? YOU CANT BE SERIOUS
“Kumawood” sounds belly than gollywood or ghallywood, give us a break!!!!
@ka, i no da likes of u..nd da tribe u come from why cant u accept the truth and stop this pride thing?both kumawood and ghollywood re hideous but u and i no kumawood is plain ridiculous.mtsceeww
@inchristalone, if u have issues with ashanti’s then am sorri, u will continue to be bitter ok, wat do u mean by wat u said, pls dis not good behave.
@Louisa, hehe u make lol.ma husband to be is an ashanti so why will i hav somthin against them?wat i wanted dis guy to no is to accept dat kumawood is simply bad…. der shouldnt be any comparism..if u re an ashanti u will bear with me dat u guy somtimes find it hard to accept the truth maybe cos of pride or somthing…nevertheless not all of u…i love my boyfriend.peacout.
Am 100% from Kumasi but am not proud of this. What’s kumawood? Couldn’t they have thought of any other name?
@B.B, U should say that again.. Sounds like someone’s surname..
… yeah, they should call it something very original in Twi. Please don’t ask me what, but since the award is based on traditions and customs, then so should the name. I love me Twi movies and, from Kumasi my self. So nice to see the old hood when watching some the movies! 😀
And what is Best Twinglish Personality [Male] and Best Twinglish Personality [Female] ? Damnnnnnnnnnn TWILISH PAA? so this means the person who can speak twi and english huh? Awuradeii
@akosuaghana, LOL!I know right, ridiculous indeed!
@akosuaghana, and dats for an award dats supposed to honour producers who are conscious of traditions and customs..is twinglish our custom?????..jokers…
anoda avenue to make money………….is Afia part of the committee??? or she’s an invited guest?????
@Opanin, Yes Afia is part of it. I read it on Peacefmonline.com. Very much so!!!
@Opanin, Afia is the head of PR…
@Posted By: Chris-Vincent Agyapong Febiri, ok…..and on wht basis is she holdin dat position????anyways, lemme hold on to ma fire and see wht happens..
I dnt understand us ghanaians sometimes. If it comes 2 da name Hollywood, it is excellent, Bollywood sounds beautiful and Nollywood is just lovily bt wen it comes to Gollywood or Kumawood, it is ridiculous, why????
@Afia,
bollywood sounds goofy and dumb too. maybe in ur eyes/ears bollywood is ok so dont confuse yourself with all gh!!!
@ka, oh it is jst a shame dat u didn´t get da point i ws heading to. So if bollywood sounds goofy, nollywood sounds well ryt?
Source: http://www.ghanacelebrities.com/2011/10/21/top-actorsactresses-boycotts-%e2%80%98kumawood-film-festival-akoben-movie-awards#ixzz1bpSyzW1Q
meeeehn somtymz these kumasi p’pl disgrace us film makers and it affect the whole industry not jus them.who did they discuss with to come up with such a ridiculous name for an award.who told them jua a part of an industry can be called anything wood.c’mmon we should be original small n grow.oh Ghana.well we cant expect anything better from a committee dats made of socrate n thems.That man is jus a devil who came to destroy our industry.God help Ghana movie industry
seriously i can’t stop laughing. Kumawood???? WTF
oh it is jst a shame dat u didn´t get da point i ws heading to. So if bollywood sounds goofy, nollywood sounds well ryt?