Eyimofe' actress Temi Ami-Williams wins record breaking FESPACO award

The actress will be the second to scoop the award in 36 years.

'Eyimofe' actor Temi Ami-Williams has made history at the just concluded 2021 Pan African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO).

The actress recently scooped the highly coveted Best Young Actor in West Africa category 36 years after Clarion Chukwurah won it in 1985.

The award, which comes with a monetary prize of CFA 1 million, honors young West African film actors under the age of 30 who have distinguished themselves by appearing in a fictional film in competition at FESPACO 2021.

In the critically acclaimed film by Chuko and Arie Esiri, Ami-Williams makes her on-screen debut as Rosa, a young Nigerian who attempts to make ends meet by taking on several means of income.

She revealed in an interview how her life experiences helped her identify with Rosa.

“Eyimofe is my first film, so I had to understand many new things. Being the person to carry the story of Eyimofe to people is something I am very proud of, so I had to do it right. I had to understand shots, how much and how little was expected of me during scenes.

"I am glad the directors and producers took all these into consideration and they even got Cynthia Egbijie and me a coach whom they flew in to take us through the story, how to bring it to life and the techniques needed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Somalia's entry 'The Gravedigger's Wife' by Finish-Somali writer-director Khadar Ayderus Ahmed won the Stallion of Yennenga grand prize for best film at the festival's finale on Sunday October 23.