Cynthia Dankwa
Ghanaian film, ‘The Burial of Kojo’, picked two awards at the 2019 edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards held at the Landmark event centre in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday.
The film’s director, Blitz Bazawule, took an award for Best Director-First Feature Film category, while young actress Cynthia Dankwa was also adjudged Best Young/Promising Actor for her role as Esi in ‘The Burial of Kojo’.
They were the only Ghanaian winners at the ceremony, after five Ghanaian films secured various nominations for the award ceremony.
They included; The Burial of Kojo, Azali, The Fisherman, Before the Vows and the short film, Vagabonds.
The Burial of Kojo had 10 nominations in categories including Best Achievement in Production Design; Best Achievement in Make-Up; Best Achievement in Visual Effects; Best Achievement in Sound; Best Achievement in Cinematography; Best Achievement in Editing.
Burial of Kojo tells the story of Kojo (Joseph Otsiman), who is left to die in an abandoned gold mine, as his young daughter Esi (newcomer Cynthia Dankwa) travels through a spirit land to save him.
The film was produced by Blitz Bazawule, Ama Abebrese and Kwaku Obeng Boateng.
It had its world premiere in New York on September 21, 2018, at the Urban World Film Festival, where it was recognized as Best Narrative Feature (World Cinema).
By Francis Addo