Award-winning musician and filmmaker Jason Mohan also known as Jay Mo has cruised into the record books as the first ever person of Indian descent to be awarded an African Oscar.

 

Held in Washington D.C. at the legendary Warner Theater, the Nollywood Film Critics’ Awards USA , also known as the African Oscars recognize excellence in the African film industry and are the most prominent celebration of African cinema in the USA. Watched by over 500 million viewers worldwide, the ceremony is a star-studded affair with dignitaries and stars from cinema, music and culture gracing the red carpet.

 

Mohan picked up the Best Original Soundtrack Oscar for his work on America – The Dream. The soundtrack was created for the film "The Fetus".

As the first ever musician of Indian descent to receive an African Oscar, Mohan joins an illustrious list of African Oscar Award winners including former South African president Nelson Mandela, President Yahya AJJ Jammeh of The Gambia, and Actree Genevieve Nnaji who is referred to as the "Julia Roberts of Africa".

 

 

As well as England, Mohan also grew up in Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana , Dubai and India. In the last 12 months he has collaborated with and promoted various music artists around the world, and has now directed and produced over 100 music videos, 40 shorts and documentaries, seven commercials and one TV Pilot.

 

Fresh from his African Oscars success, the musician and filmmaker has seen his debut short film The Successor of Katunga winning rave reviews on the independent film and festival circuits. It was screened at the iconic Warner Bros Studios in Hollywood earlier this year.

 

Mohan is now working on a spate of new projects including new musical scores and films. He said, “It is a tremendous honor to receive an African Oscar for my work on America The Dream. It was an incredible project to work on, alongside John Chuka and the rest of the team. I’m delighted to be the first recipient of the award of Indian descent.”