Amina is a 2021 Nigerian action drama film directed by Izu Ojukwu. It is based on the story of the life of 16th century Zazzau empire warrior Queen Amina. Amina premiered on Netflix on November 4, 2021.[1] The film got the most nominations at Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, 2022.[2]
The film begins with a duel between Zazzau's champion Kabarkai and Danjuma. After witnessing the fight, a young Amina goes on to tell her father, the Emir of Zazzau (Abu Chris Gbakann) that she wants to be a warrior. This comes with resistance from Magaji Mjinyawa who advises that the Zazzau’s armies has never recruited a woman. The plot developed around events leading to Amina's ascension to the throne of Zazzau.[3]
The film was criticised for being in Hausa and for its lead actor being non-Hausa. It has also been criticized for containing several historical inaccuracies. Ojukwu responded that the lack of sufficient archives and data for Nigeria's historical events made it difficult to produce the movie.[5]
| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Clarion Chukwura | [6] [7] [8] | |
| Best Supporting Actor | Magaji Mijinyawa | ||||
| Best Art Director | Tunji Afolayan | ||||
| Best Costume Designer | Millicent T. Jack | ||||
| Best Lighting Designer | Stanley Ibegbu Okechukwu | ||||
| Best Sound Editor | Jim Lively and James Nelson | ||||
| Best Sound Track | Dabs Agwom | ||||
| Best Make Up | Dagogo Diminas And Gabriel Okorie Gabazzini | ||||
| Best Writer | Frank Chinedu Uba | ||||
| Best Cinematographer | Peter Kreil, Wale Adebayo, Samuel Jonathan and Moruf Fadaro | ||||
| Best Movie West Africa | Okey Ogunjiofor | ||||
| Best Overall Movie | Izu Ojukwu And Okey Ogunjiofor | ||||
| Best Director | Izu Ojukwu |