On Saturday, December 11, 2021, in Niamey, Niger, the first edition of the African Comedy Awards (ARA) will be held. For the first time, the world of African comedy is organizing a grand ceremony to reward its best talents across the continent. This celebration of the comedy family is organized by Mamane and his production company Gondwana-City Productions (Le Parlement du rire, Festival Abidjan Capitale du Rire, Festival CFA, etc.).
Seven prizes will be awarded: Female Comedian of the Year, Male Comedian of the Year, Revelation of the Year, Web Comedian Award, Best TV/Radio Show, Official Partner Special Award: Zamani Award, and ARA of Honor.
The jury is made up of professionals from the entertainment world: Michel Gohou, the great Ivorian actor, is the president. He is joined by four personalities from the worlds of culture and media: Etienne Minoungou, from Burkina Faso, creator of the Les Récréatrales festival in Ouagadougou; Alphadi, from Niger, famous Nigerien fashion designer; Charlotte Ntamack, actress from Cameroon; and Claudy Siar, journalist at RFI and renowned expert in African music. The diversity of the jury's professional and geographical backgrounds alone demonstrates the strength of African culture and how humor combines theater, fashion, music, and everything else that allows a comedian to win over an audience.
The ARA ceremony is first and foremost a show with all that that implies in terms of dreams, good humor, and entertainment. It will therefore be a magnificent spectacle not to be missed, combining humor, dance, and music, which will take place in the superb plenary hall of the Mahatma Gandhi International Conference Center. The ceremony will be broadcast on Canal+ Afrique.
The aim of these awards is to encourage emulation and motivation within the world of comedy. The media impact of the ARA, with prestigious partners such as Canal+, RFI, and France 24, will push comedians to work hard in the hope of being rewarded themselves and achieving continental and international recognition.
The more professional and seasoned artists there are, the more Africans will take ownership of their narrative in the concert of nations. Culture is a vehicle for pride and economic development.
Source: press release