Photo source: Instagram
And just like that, another Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) is here. This isn’t just a simple award show; it is a full-blown, dazzling showcase of fashion, culture, and entertainment that is unofficially regarded as the “Oscars” of Africa. Now in its 12th year, it has evolved into an influential platform boosting African cinema’s global visibility.
Taking place in Lagos on May 9, this yearly event, hosted by MultiChoice Africa and broadcast on DStv and GO TV, recognizes outstanding achievements in television, film, entertainment, and digital content creation throughout Nollywood and the entire African continent.
The AMVCA Red Carpet
Since its inception in 2013, the AMVCA has not only celebrated outstanding films from across Africa but has also made a name for itself in the red carpet department. It presents an opportunity for African fashion designers to showcase their talent and creativity.
From the moment celebrities begin stepping onto the red carpet, social media practically catches fire. Fashion lovers open Instagram with one mission: to judge outfits. It becomes a battle of “Who wore it best?”
Last year, Nana Akua Addo set the red carpet ablaze in a show‑stopping futuristic gown that screamed drama, detail, and divine execution. Osas Ighodaro brought Mother Earth Vibes in a refreshingly unconventional dress by one of Nigeria’s finest designers, Veekee James.
Naturally, this year was no exception. The industry’s finest hit the red carpet, leaving no crumbs behind. They had one goal in mind – to break the internet and make sure they remain the topic of discussion for days.
Social media was flooded with stunning photos of their outfits, showcasing rich African traditions and bold fashion statements.
Photo source: Instagram
Who Will Win at the AMVCA 2026?
AMVCA continues to highlight African filmmakers’ work, helping to position Africa’s cinematic output as a significant force in international entertainment.
As a result, actors, directors, and filmmakers put in their best to win. As we all know, winning an AMVCA is no small deal. It has become some sort of badge of honor, motivating filmmakers to prioritize quality. Even getting nominated is a remarkable achievement that can boost one’s career in the movie industry.
The 2026 edition features 32 award categories, comprising 18 jury-voting categories, 11 public voting categories, and 3 special recognition awards, including Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer honours to be presented on the awards day.
In a move aimed at broadening continental representation, the AMVCA also introduced two new categories, Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa).
Photo source: Instagram
Below is the list of AMVCA 2026 nominees and winners:
Best Digital Content Creator (Sponsored by Johnnie Walker)
Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion – Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh
The Marriage List – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
Leave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom – Winner
The Rate Race – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
Luxury Koko – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
August Meeting Election – Steve Chuks
Did I Just Hear Muah – Akwaman
Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, and Barbara Njeri Maina
Sayari – Omar Hamza and June Wairegi
Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw – Winner
My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile
Kimote – Hassan Mageye
Best Short Film
Rise – Jessie J. Rowlands
Fleas – Jordy Sank
Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo
Hussainin – Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa – Winner
My Body, God’s Temple – Uzoamaka Power
Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji – Winner
Labake Olododo – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Alaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun
Aljana – Grace Yachat Yakubu
Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina
Best Indigenous Language (North Africa)
The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben Khalifa
The Delivery – Abdalla Ezyan
The Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
This Is Portsaid – Abdalla Ezyan
Artal Alhanin – Our Memories – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma – Winner
Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa)
Mabanda – Kang Quintus
Safou: A Gift From Nature – Nyasha Makamba
Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
Best Indigenous Language (South Africa)
Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise
Sebata (The Beast) – African Entertainers
Ben Made It – Thabang Mathuumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso
Terra of Queens and Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi– Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa – Winner
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Adam To Eve – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
Mother of the Brides – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Low Priest – Femi D. Ogunsanwo – Winner
Bobo – Maurice Muendo
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nigerian Idol (S10) – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder – Winner
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
Chapa Chapa My Love – Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida and Gabriela Ueno
fcinOut N About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu – Winner
Kukoyi – David Akande
Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
Out N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
Kampala Creme (S2) – Joel Ndugwa
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
Mgbuka – Eze Izu
Photo Source: Instagram / ihuomalindaejiofor
Best Supporting Actress
The Herd – Linda Ejiofor – Winner
Oversabi Aunty – Olamide Kidbaby
Gingerrr – Bisola Aiyeola
The Covenant Series – Sola Sobowale
Aljana – Nadia Dutch
The Herd – Amal Umar
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Juliebrenda Nyambura
Behind The Scenes – Funke Akindele
Best Lead Actor
Oversabi Aunty – Mike Ezuruonye
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji
To Kill A Monkey – William Benson
Grandpa Must Obey – Kanayo O. Kanayo
Bet I Love You – Khumbuza Meyiwa
Colours of Fire – Uzor Arukwe – Winner
3 Cold Dishes – Wale Ojo
Red Circle – Femi Branch
Best Cinematography
My Father’s Shadow – Jermaine Edwards
To Kill A Monkey – Kabelo Thathe – Winner
The Herd – Emmanuel Igbekele
Finding Nina – Daanong Gyang
The Serpent’s Gift – Emmanuel Igbekele
Stitches – KC Obiajulu
Gingerrr – Emmanuel Igbekele
Best Art Direction
The Serpent’s Gift – Zainab Oladipupo
The Herd – Omolade Abisola
Colours of Fire – Ajamolaya Bunmi and Yakub Oladejo – Winner
Aljana – Olatunji Afolayan and Gideon O Stephen
Suky – Victor Akpan
Inimba – Thabiso Senne
Best Documentary
Beyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack Salami – Winner
The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat – Louis Ejiofor
The People Shall – Mark Maina and Nick Wambugu
Not Addressing This Anymore – Huzzain Bello
BOU – Mwaka Gerald Remmy
Best Score/Music
My Father’s Shadow – Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra – Winner
3 Cold Dishes – Nissi Ogulu
Osamede – Chubb Okobah
Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
The Party – Tolu Obanro
MTV Shuga Mashariki – SoFresh
To Kill A Monkey – Oscar Herman-Ackah
Best Writing TV Series
The Wives – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo – Winner
Our Husband – Xavier Ighorodje
Addis Fikir – Besufekade Mulu
Baba Oh – Temilola Balogun
The Party – Stephen Okonkwo
Gizat – Yednekachew Ayne
Best Writing Movie
The Herd – Lani Aisida
My Father’s Shadow – Wale Davies – Winner
Blackout – Ikenna Okpara
Cards On The Table – Shirleen Wangari
Gingerrr – Xavier Ighorodje
Suky – Isaac Ayodeji
3 Cold Dishes – Tomi Adesina
Best Costume Design
The Serpent’s Gift – Mary Chukuma
The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
Colours of Fire – Valerie Okeke – Winner
Something About The Briggs – Yolanda Okereke
To Kill A Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum and John Joseph Angel
Best Sound Design
My Father’s Shadow – Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra – Winner
Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
Ben Made It – Vaughan Phillips
The Party – Tolu Obanro
Sebata (The Beast) – Vaughan Phillips
The Herd – Fisayo Adefolaju
Best Series (Scripted)
To Kill A Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu – Winner
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Benson
Best Make-up
Behind The Scenes – Mojisola Imam
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Gingerrr – Dablaq ArtistryAbanisete – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Warlord – Hakeem Onilogbo – Winner
Suky – Ruth Harcourt
Labake Olododo – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Lead Actress
The Serpent’s Gift – Linda Ejiofor – Winner
To Kill A Monkey – Bimbo Akintola
The Lost Days – Ifeoma Fafunwa
Something About The Briggs – Ariyike Owolagba
Her Excellency – Sola Sobowale
Behind The Scenes – Scarlet Gomez
The Herd – Genoveva Umeh
Mother Of The Brides – Gloria Anozie-Young
Best Supporting Actor
The Yard – Simileoluwa Hassan
Gingerrr – Lateef Adedimeji
Colours Of Fire – Gabriel Afolayan
To Kill A Monkey – Bucci Franklin – Winner
Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2 – Femi Adeboye
Red Circle – Lateef Adedimeji
Owanbe Thieves – Femi Branch
Behind The Scenes – Uzor Arukwe
Best Director
My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr – Winner
Cordelia – Tunde Kelani
Osamede – James Kalu Omokwe
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong
Gingerrr – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Best Editing
Cordelia – Kazeem Agboola
My Father’s Shadow – Omar Guzman Castro
Landline – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere and Dele Doherty
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Osamede – Winston Aig-Ohioma
To Kill A Monkey – Daniel Anyiam – Winner
Best Movie
Gingerrr – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, Ladun Awobokun
My Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel – Winner
3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Behind The Scenes – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun
Best Series (Unscripted)
The Real Housewives Of Lagos S3 – Deola Art Alade and Darey Art Alade
Nigerian Idol S10 – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
Offair With Gbemi And Toolz – Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Toolz Oniru-Demuren
Out N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah – Winner
Trailblazer Award
Uche Montana
Industry Merit Award
Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O Kanayo
