NOLLYWOOD’S GENEVIEVE NNAJI SHINES IN MONACO, AS SHE WINS BIG

On Thursday 12th May 2011, African film star GENEVIEVE NNAJI was awarded the ‘Best Breakthrough Performance’ accolade at the annual Monaco Charity Film Festival (MCFF) last night. A specially selected jury, headed by Russian film actor Oleg Vidov awarded the actress the prize for her gripping role as ‘Teema’ in the 2011 Nollywood movie ‘THE MIRROR BOY.’ The glittering ceremony was held at the prestigious Hermitage Hotel in Monte Carlo

Now in its 6th year, the Monaco Charity Film Festival is a non-profit charity event for the benefit of poor children around the world. The festival also helps new and developing filmmakers to find financing and distribution for their films.

Nnaji, who was unable to attend the ceremony, said in a statement; “I’m thrilled to have received such an amazing honour from the MCFF. I put a huge amount of passion and love into every role I play so it’s wonderful to be recognized not only in my country Nigeria, but now on the international stage. I would like to thank the MCFF jury, my amazing team, family and of course my fans.”

Written and directed by award-winning filmmaker OBI EMELONYE and produced by PATRICK CAMPBELL, The Mirror Boy is the compelling and uplifting story of a young British born African teenage boy named Tijan [Edward Kagutuzi] who is taken back to The Gambia – the birth land of his mother Teema [Genevieve Nnaji]. Once in The Gambia Tijan gets mysteriously lost in a crowded street market after witnessing a strange apparition. He then embarks on a magical journey that teaches him about himself and the mystery of the father he has never met

The Mirror Boy is set for general release in UK on June 10, Ghana June 17 and Nigeria June 24. Additional release dates to be announced.

MONACO CHARITY FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS 2011
6th MCFF AWARDS
FEATURE AWARDS

BEST MOVIE – (Unanimous)
FACE TO FACE (Australia) Directed by Michael Rymer

BEST ENTERTAINING MOVIE
INALE, Director Jetta Amata & Producer Keke Bongos & Hakeem Kae-Kazim

SPECIAL JURY PRIZE (Unanimous)
HELLO, HOW ARE YOU? Directed by Alexandru Maftei (Romania)

BEST ACTOR
MORGAN SIMPSON in Black, White & Blues (USA)

BEST ACTRESS (A TIE)
EVELYNE ROMPRE in Twice a Woman (Canada)
&
JULES BRUFF in Part Time Fabulous (USA)

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST (Unanimous)
FACE TO FACE (Australia)

BEST DIRECTOR
SYLLAS TZOUMERKAS for Homeland (Greece)

BEST SCREENPLAY
LEN ROSEN for Fallen Leaves Golden Sky, (China/Austria)

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY (Unanimous)
Philippe Bottiglione for THE RICE PADDY (LA RIZIERE), (China)

EXCELLENCE IN ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT
LEAVING HONG KONG (Yakutia, Russian Federation)

Most promising DIRECTOR (1st Time Director) (Unanimous)
ALEXANDRU MAFTEI for Hello, How are You? (Romania)

Breakthrough Performance (Actor)
JULIAN ALCARAZ in BECOMING EDUARDO (USA)

Breakthrough Performance (Actress)
GENEVIEVE NNAJI in THE MIROR BOY (UK)

The Mirrror Boy Trailer

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