By Mohalenyane Phakela
MASERU — The Forgotten Kingdom star, 15-year-old local actor, Lebohang Ntsane, has been nominated for the Best Child Actor award at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) to be held in Nigeria on May 24.
The AMAA ranks among the continent’s prestigious awards for actors and filmmakers in the African diaspora. This will be the 10th edition of the pan-African event since its inception in 2005. AMAA has established itself as the most glamorous and prestigious awards ceremony, celebrating films from around the continent.
The gala event attracts Hollywood celebrities alongside their African counterparts, as well as prominent politicians.
Ntsane got nominated for his role in Lesotho’s first ever feature film, The Forgotten Kingdom.
At the age of 12, Ntsane was chosen out of 800 children who auditioned to star in the award-winning film.
His role is of a young orphaned boy, Tau, with two horses as his only inheritence from his deceased parents. Tau tries to make friends with Atang, played by South African actor Senzo Nqobe, who formerly starred as South African soapie, Rhythm City’s Stone Khuse.
Atang is initially reluctant to accept the friendship request until he realises that they need each other.
Ntsane has been lauded for his seamless execution of his role as Tau giving the impression he had years of acting under his belt.
However, before landing the role opposite Senzo Nqobe in The Forgotten Kingdom, Ntsane had never acted professionally.
The teenager resides in Khubetsoana with his family and is currently a Form C student at Methodist High School.
“This was my first-time acting on the big screen. I only acted in school plays and never thought it would get me this far,” Ntsane told the Weekender this week.
“I was so excited when I got the message that I had landed the role, and now being nominated for this prestigious award is awesome and I am praying that I bring it home.”
“It was quite a priviledge to act alongside some of South Africa’s best actors,” the AMAA nominee further remarked.
“They are people whom I never thought I would work with on any given day, and now I will be rubbing shoulders with actors and filmmakers from around the globe.”
The Forgotten Kingdom has 11 international awards to its name and was officially selected in 10 festivals, including the prestigious Seattle International Film Festival, the Palm Springs International Film Festival in California, United States, and the Durban Film Festival in South Africa.
Besides Ntsane’s nomination, The Forgotten Kingdom has also been nominated for a number of AMAA awards, namely the Best Film in an African language, Achievement In Costume Design, Achievement In Sound, Achievement In Cinematography and Best Feature Film among others.
Ncqobe has also been nominated for the Best Actor in Leading Role award for his role in The Forgotten Kingdom.
