It might not be very popular in Rwanda but Imbabazi: The Pardon is making a splash on the international film scene.The documentary movie made a cut for the 9th annual Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in the category for Best Child Actor.

It is expected to be a very interesting night, as film personalities from different countries in Africa converge in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State in Nigeria, today, for the awards ceremony. Directed by Rwandan filmmaker Joel, Karekezi, Imbabazi: The Pardon follows two good friends in the same village, who find themselves on opposing sides in the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.

Manzi is elevated to the position of local leader and is unable to withstand the peer pressure when the genocide begins. He kills Karemara’s father and younger brother. After a long bout of illness, Karemara has managed to make a new start in the city with his wife and children, but when Manzi is released from prison after 15 years, Karemara begins to plot his revenge. The film intercuts between present day and the time just before and during the genocide.

‘Imbabazi: The Pardon’ was produced with support from Göteborg International Film Festival Fund.AMAA, the continent’s most prestigious awards for filmmakers are presented annually in recognition of professionals in the African film industry.

Founded in 2005 by African Film Academy (AFA) founder Peace Anyiam Osigwe the awards recognise directors, actors, writers and other professionals in the film industry with the aim of promoting excellence in the African movie industry in addition to highlighting the contribution of the African continent via arts and culture. The nominees:AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Film1. Nairobi Half Life : Kenya2. Ninah’s Dowry : Cameroon3. Last Fishing Boat : Malawi4. Virgin Margarida : Mozambique5. Elelwani : South Africa6. Last Flight To Abuja : Nigeria7. Confusion Na Wa : NigeriaAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Short Film1. Dead River - Tim Huebschle: Namibia2. Elegy For A Revolutionary - Paul van Zyl: South Africa3. Yellow Fever - Ngendo Mukii: Kenya4. Kwaku Ananse - Akosua Adoma Owusu: Ghana5. Nhamo - Eunice Chiweshe Goldstein: Zimbabwe6. Big Daddy - Chris Ihidero: Nigeria7. Release - Sofia de Fay: South Africa8. Burnt Forest - Zippy Kimundu: KenyaAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Documentary1. Fuelling Poverty: Nigeria2. Gun To Tape: Kenya3. Swimming The Zambezi: South Africa4. Give Me Back My Home: Kenya5. The African Cypher Fly On The Wall: South AfricaAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Child Actor1. Cobweb2. The Ugandan3. Imbabazi, The Pardon4. Ninah’s Dowry5. Swirl In Bamako6. Salimatu Traore (moi Zaphira)AMAA 2013 Prize For Best Promising Actor1. Belinda Effah : Kokomma2. Sumela Maculuva : Virgin Magarida3. Joseph Wairimu : Nairobi Half Life4. Shonelo Mbutho : Ulanga The Mark5. Karoumwi Olakunle : The Twin SwordAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Supporting Role1. Gabriel Afolayan : Hoodrush2. Ali Nuhu : Blood And Henna3. Olwenya Maina : Nairobi Half Life4. Alfred Atungu : Twin Sword5. Ikponmwosa Gold : Confusion Na WaAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actor In A Leading Role1. Oc Ukeje : Alan Poza2. Bimbo Manuel : Hereos And Zereos3. Lindani Nkosi : Zama Zama4. Justus Esiri : Assasins Practice5. Hlomla Dandala : The Contract6. Femi Jacobs : The Meeting7. Amurin Wumnembom : Ninah’s DowryAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Actress In A Leading Role1. Yvonne Okoro : The Contract2. Florence Masebe : Elelwani3. Mariam Ouedraogo : Moi Zaphira4. Rita Dominic : The Meeting5. Mbutung Seikeh : Ninah’s Diary6. Flora Suya : Last Fishing BoatAMAA 2013 Prize For Best Director1. Kenneth Gyang : Confusion Na Wah2. Shemu Joyah : Last Fishing Boat3. Shirley Frimpong Manso: Contract4. Niji Akanni : Hereos And Zeroes5. David Kitounga : Nairobi Half Life6. Ntshavheni Wa Luruli : Elelwani.