AT two gala events held tonight, in Lagos and Nairobi, Africa Magic and MultiChoice Africa presented their latest joint initiative The Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.

The exciting announcement was made during a special episode of the popular Africa Magic magazine show Jara, which is screened to DStv audiences in 47 countries across the continent.

Created to celebrate African film and television talent, both in front of and behind the cameras, the awards will feature several special categories in which viewers will decide the winners directly, alongside several professionally judged categories. In total, 28 awards in 26 categories will be awarded ranging from acting and directing to script-writing and cinematography. Other fields which will be honored include editing, make-up, sound, lighting and costuming among others.

In addition the awards will feature two categories destined to become annual talking points – the Industry Merit Award and the TrailBlazer of the Year Award. Awards will be handed out at two separate events to be held in March 2013 in Lagos – the first event will be dedicated to standout technical accomplishments while the main event will be a glittering, glamourous gala night. Both events will be screened to DStv audiences across the continent with the gala being screened live. With the awards now officially launched by Africa Magic and MultiChoice, the process now begins with a call to producers to make their submissions for consideration.

Details of where and how to enter are available on www.africamagic.tv and the deadline for all submissions is Wednesday 31October 2012 at 9pm (CAT). Entry is free.