Film "Across The Tracks" Nominated for the 2016 AMAA Awards

ATLANTA - May 25, 2016 - PRLog -- The organizers of the African Movie Academy Awards announce the 2016 nomination list. The list was announced by the AMAA Jury President Husseini Shaibu on May 23, 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria. The short film "Across The Tracks" was nominated for the AMAA 2016 AWARD FOR BEST DIASPORA SHORT. The other films nominated in the same category are "Lines", "Raptors", and "Reset" which were all produced in the United States.

ABOUT THE MOVIE

Across the Track" a family drama directed and co-written by Michael Cook and Kimberly Y. James. The movie is the story of Tara and Ella Hines, sisters that are living very different lives. Tara is a big city architect with a fighting spirit that has brought her great success. Ella a few years younger, never left the hometown of their youth and has been the primary caretaker of the family. Estranged for 40 years, they are brought together finally with the death of their mother.

Through a series of flashbacks, their childhood in rural 1960s Georgia unfolds. The "Coloreds only" bathroom and side entrance to shops. The train tracks that separated the town by skin color. We see them navigate this world full of inferiority and bullying, ultimately leading to Ella's decision to become white. As the sisters lay their mother to rest, the past rises up to meet them and we're finally shown the moment that tore their family apart.

ABOUT THE AFRICAN MOVIE ACADEMY AWARDS (AMAA)

The African Movie Academy Awards, popularly known as AMAA and The AMA Awards (and fondly dubbed 'The African Oscars'), are presented annually to recognize excellence of professionals in the film industry. Founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe and run through the Africa Film Academy. The awards are aimed at honoring and promoting excellence in the African movie industry as well as uniting the African continent through arts and culture.

The award presentation is attended by numerous media executives, celebrities, politicians, journalists, actresses and actors from all across the world. The AMA awards are widely considered to be Africa's most important film event and the most prestigious film award in Africa. The 2016 ceremony is scheduled to hold on11th June 2016 and will take place in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State - Nigeria.

ABOUT THE TEAM

Michael Cooke, Co-Writer, Director & Director of Photography

An Atlanta native, Mike was fortunate enough to begin his career as a camera assistant at Turner Broadcasting. His humble beginnings cleaning lenses and hanging lights quickly led to camera operating positions. Turner Broadcasting, parent company to notable networks like CNN and Cartoon Network, put Mike to work shooting content to match each of their diverse brands and it wasn't long before the opportunity arose to begin his career as a Director of Photography. Turner provided practice in the skills of light, color, and composition, but music videos and commercials crafted Mike's shooting style. His first feature film, God Loves the Fighter, was filmed on location in Trinidad and won Best Narrative feature at the 2013 Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival. Mike has shot for clients and brands all over the world, including upstart interactive software companies and Billboard 100 artists who trust him to execute their vision and bring their story to life.

Kimberly James, Co-Writer & Producer

Kimberly is a Writer and Producer with 13yrs of experience in international TV & Film. Born and raised in the Midwest, she spent half her life moving to Asia, Africa and different parts of the US, and has worked in over 30 countries and wandered through 17 others. Concepts she has written were official selections in 3 major TV pitch competitions in Asia. Various seasons of The Amazing Race that she worked on have won 5 awards internationally, including an Emmy Award for The Amazing Race Australia. She has dangled off of skyscrapers and snuggled up to cheetahs, but she counts this film as her greatest leap of faith. Kimberly is a member of the Producer's Guild of America and is now based in New York City.

Don Battee, Producer & "Walter Lee"

Don has credits in The Matrix Trilogy, X-Men Wolverine, and recently in the fantastic musical film that swept the world, The Sapphires. He's been on panels discussing diversity in filmmaking and has great distribution contacts all over Asia and Australia - places where stories like ours are just as relevant as in America. He's also played Walter Lee in the film.

Errol Sadler is the founder of Supremacy Films an Atlanta based film company. Sadler has been awarded the Georgia Entertainment Gala People to Watch Award. Sadler is a powerhouse talent; quickly becoming one of the most sought after producer in the Atlanta Film Industry.

The 2016 AMAA awards holds on 11th of June 2016 in Port Harcourt, Rivers State - Nigeria. Kindly visit www.ama-awards.com for all updates on the 2016 AMAA awards. For press inquiries, speaking engagements, or film panels please contact publicist Rahru. R. Arceneaux of Haute Choc'lat Multimedia Group at hautechoclat.publicity@gmail.com