The main ceremony of the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) took place on May 9 after a weeklong series of activities. Split into voting and non-voting categories, audiences had the chance to vote for their favourites in select categories. This edition saw a few changes, like the appointment of Joke Silva as head judge and the introduction of North and Central Africa categories.
On the main stage, My Father’s Shadow won five out of its seven nominations, making Akinola Davies Jr.’s debut feature the most awarded film at the event. The night also delivered a historic moment for Linda Ejiofor. The actress who was nominated in Best Actress (The Serpent’s Gift) and Best Supporting Actress (The Herd) categories became the first to win both awards in the same year.
Members of the 2026 AMVCA jury include Debbie Oditayo, Steve Ayorinde, Chris Ihidero, Leonard Amanya, Victoria Goro, Christopher Puta, Mimi Bartels, Winston AIG-Ohioma, Jahman Anikulapo, Shawn Butler, Winifred Okpapi, Nikita Graham-Douglas, Yemi Morafa, Taiwo Egunjobi, Rogba Arimoro, Julie Ako, Moses Akerele, Patience Oghre-Imobhio, James Omokwe, Chichi Nworah, Lani Aisida, Bunmi Ajakaiye, and Matthew Yusuf.
The Joke Silva-led jury also recognised veteran actors Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale with the Lifetime Achievement and Industry Merit Awards for their contributions to Nollywood, while actress Uche Montana received the Trailblazer Award.
See the full list of this year’s winners.
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Best Digital Content Creator
Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh – Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
Destiny Ogie Osarewinda – The Marriage List
Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom – Leave To Live – WINNER
Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo – The Rate Race
Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) – Luxury Koko
Steve Chuks – August Meeting Election
Akwaman – Did I Just Hear Muah
Best Short Film
Rise – Jessie J. Rowlands
Fleas – Jordy Sank
Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo
Hussaini – Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa – WINNER
My Body, God’s Temple – Uzoamaka Power
Best Indigenous Language Film (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 Film (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 Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise
Sebata – The Beast
Ben Made It – Thabang Mathumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso
Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa – WINNER
Best Indigenous Language Film (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 Film (Central Africa)
Mabanda – Kang Quintus – WINNER
Safou – A Gift From Nature – Nyasha Makamba
Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
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
Out 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
Best Supporting Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Herd – Linda Ejiofor – WINNER
Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series
Nadia Dutch – Aljana
Amal Umar- The Herd
Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Funke Ayotunde Akindele – Behind The Scenes
Best Lead Actor
Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty
Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi A Legend Is Born
William Benson – To Kill A Monkey
Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey
Khumbuza Meyiwa – Bet I Love You
Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire – WINNER
Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes
Femi Branch – Red Circle
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 – 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 (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
Best Series (Scripted)
To Kill A Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillipe Bresson
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu – WINNER
Kash Money – Grace Khaki and Phillipe Benson
Best Make-up
Behind The Scenes – Mojisola Imam
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Gingerrr – Dablaq Artistry
Abanisete – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Warlord – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) – WINNER
Suky – Ruth Harcourt
Labake Olododo – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Lead Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift – WINNER
Bimbo Akintola – To Kill A Monkey
Ifeoma Fafunwa – The Lost Days
Ariyike Owolagba – Something About The Briggs
Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency
Scarlet Gomez – Behind The Scenes
Genoveva Umeh – The Herd
Gloria Anozie-Young – Mother Of The Brides
Best Supporting Actor
Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr
Gabriel Afolayan – Colours Of Fire
Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey – WINNER
Femi Adeboye – Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2
Lateef Adedimeji – Red Circle
Femi Branch – Owanbe Thieves
Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes
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 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 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, And Ladun Awobokun
My Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo And Rachel Dargavel – WINNER
3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou, Surf Amuwa Oluseyo And Ly Oumar
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Behind The Scenes – Funke Ayotunde Akindele And Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun
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(Updated 13/05/2026: An earlier version of this article did not have the members of the jury stated; this has now been updated.)
