AMVCA 2026: See full list of nominees ahead of May 9 ceremony

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa’s most prestigious film and television event, is set to return for its 12th edition, continuing its legacy of not just celebrating creative excellence but also driving significant cultural and economic impact across the continent.

As the awards build towards its star-studded ceremony on Saturday, May 9th, 2026, Africa Magic convened a press conference today, Thursday, March 26, 2026, at the MultiChoice Studio in Ilupeju, Lagos, to officially set the stage for one of the most anticipated editions yet.

Since its inception in 2013, the AMVCAs have become a cornerstone of Africa’s creative economy, fostering job creation, revenue generation, and industry growth. Over the past decade, the awards have invested significantly in events, training, and logistics, creating over 30,000 jobs across various sectors, benefiting professionals from production designers and screenwriters to sound engineers and artisans. Above all, it has remained a stage for stars and talent behind some of Africa’s most celebrated films and television shows to shine their brightest, ensuring their work is seen, honoured, and remembered.

Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head of Content and Channels, MultiChoice West Africa, spoke to the significance of this edition at today’s press conference.

According to Babatunde “beyond the lights, the red carpet, and the applause, there is a deeper story – one of craftsmanship. The writers, the directors, the editors, the designers, the technicians – the many hands and minds that shape the stories we love. This year, we are being as intentional as we’ve always been about recognising that ecosystem of excellence.”

The 12th edition of the AMVCAs introduces key changes that deepen its pan-African reach and commitment to equitable representation.

This year’s edition expands its Indigenous Language categories with the introduction of Best Indigenous Language – North Africa and Best Indigenous Language – Central Africa, a landmark step in ensuring that Africa’s diverse languages, regions, and creative voices are more fully celebrated on a continental stage.

Speaking further, Atinuke Babatunde said “we are celebrating culture – in all its richness, and authenticity. From Lagos to Nairobi, from Dakar to Johannesburg, African stories continue to reflect who we are, how we live, and how we connect with the world.

With this, the 12th AMVCA will feature 32 award categories in total, including 18 jury-decided categories and 11 public voting categories, alongside 3 special recognition awards for Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer.

This edition also marks a significant appointment in the awards’ judging process.

Veteran actress and one of Nollywood’s most enduring figures, Joke Silva, has been named Head Judge for the 12th AMVCA, bringing with her decades of experience both in front of and behind the camera.

The 12th AMVCA is proudly headlined by Don Julio as lead sponsor, marking a continued evolution of the awards into a premium, culturally influential celebration of African excellence, creativity, and craftsmanship.

The Head of Marketing Africa Partner Markets, Segun Ogunleye said, “At Diageo, we are driven by a simple but powerful purpose, to celebrate life every day and everywhere. Moments of joy, culture, creativity and connection sit at the heart of everything we do, and there are few platforms that embody this as authentically as the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards.”

This edition of the AMVCAs is also proudly sponsored by Guinness, Singleton, Onga, Johnnie Walker – Blonde, Johnnie Walker – Blue, Johnnie Walker – Black, Orijin, MTN, Smirnoff Ice, QuickTeller, Verve, Indomie, and Lush Hair.

The highly anticipated nominee announcement took place on Sunday, March 29, 2026, airing live on Africa Magic channels at 7PM and hosted by AMVCA-winning actor Chiemezie Imo.

LIST OF NOMINEES

Best Digital Content Creator
Elozonam Ogbolu, Genoveva Umeh
Akwaman
Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
Emmanuel Kanaga, Sophia Chisom
Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
Taaooma
Steve Chuks

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
The Serpent’s Gift
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Labake Olododo
Olorisha
Aljana

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Inside Job
Sayari
Addis Fikir
My Son
Kimote

Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Bet I Love You
Sebata: The Beast
Ben Made It
Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi

Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
The Omnipresent
The Delivery
The Hidden Voice
This Is Portsaid
Artal Alhanin: Our Memories

Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Mabanda
Safou: A Gift From Nature
Golden Spoon

Best Scripted M-Net Original
Adam to Eve
Mother of the Bride
The Yard
The Low Priest
Bobo

Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nigerian Idol S10
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Chapa Chapa My Love
Out N About (Harar)
Undugu

Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Inimba
Kukoyi
Undugu
Out N’ About (Harar)
Kampala Creme
The Chocolate Empire
Mgbuka

Best Short Film
Fleas
Rise
Telephone
Hussaini
My Body, God’s Temple

Best Supporting Actor
Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr
Gabriel Afolayan – Colours Of Fire
Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey
Femi Adebayo – King Of Thieves 2
Lateef Adedimeji – Red Circle
Femi Branch – Owambe Thieves
Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes

Best Supporting Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Herd
Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Sola Sobowale – The Covenant
Nadia Dutch – Aljana
Amal Umar – The Herd
Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Funke 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
Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes
Femi Branch – Red Circle

Best Lead Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift
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 Cinematography
Jermaine Edwards – My Father’s Shadow
Kabelo Thathe – To Kill A Monkey
Emmanuel Igbekele – The Herd
Daanong Gyang – Finding Nina
Emmanuel Igbekele – The Serpent’s Gift
KC Obiajulu – Stitches
Emmanuel Igbekele – Gingerrr

Best Editing
Kazeem Agboola – Cordelia
Omar Guzman Castro – My Father’s Shadow
Wanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty – Landline
Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Winston Aig-Ohioma – Osamede
Daniel Anyiam – To Kill A Monkey

Best Sound Design
Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow
Tolu Obanro – Gingerrr
Vaughan Phillips – Ben Made It
Tolu Obanro – The Party
Vaughan Phillips – Sebata: The Beast
Fisayo Adefolaju – The Herd

Best Music Score
Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow
Nissi Ogulu – 3 Cold Dishes
Chubb Okobah – Osamede
Tolu Obanro – Gingerrr
Tolu Obanro – The Party
Sofresh – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Oscar Heman-Ackah – To Kill A Monkey

Best Art Direction
Zainab Oladipupo – The Serpent’s Gift
Omolade Abisola – The Herd
Ajamolaya Bunmi – Colours Of Fire
Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen – Aljana
Victor Akpan – Suky
Thabiso Senne – Inimba

Best Costume Design
Mary Chukwuma – The Serpent’s Gift
Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade – The Real Housewives Of Lagos
Valerie Okeke – Colours Of Fire
Yolanda Okereke – Something About The Briggs
Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel – To Kill A Monkey

Best Makeup
Mojisola Imam – Behind The Scenes
Adeola Bamgboye – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Dablaq Artistry – Gingerrr
Adeola Bamgboye – Abanisete
Hakeem Effect – Warlord
Ruth Harcourt – Suky
Adeola Bamgboye – Labake Olododo

Best Writing TV Series
Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu – The Wives
Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Xavier Ighorodje – Our Husband
Besufekade Mulu – Addis Fikir
Temilola Balogun – Baba Oh
Stephen Okonkwo – The Party
Yednekachew Ayne – Gizat

Best Writing in a Movie
Lani Aisida – The Herd
Wale Davies – My Father’s Shadow
Ikenna Okpara – Blackout
Shirleen Wangari – Cards On The Table
Xavier Ighorodje – Gingerrr
Isaac Ayodeji – Suky
Tomi Adesina – 3 Cold Dishes

Beyond Olympic Glory
The Good, The Bad of Afrobeat
The People Shall
Not Addressing This Anymore
BOU

Best Scripted Series
To Kill A Monkey
The Yard
The Chocolate Empire
Inimba
Kash Money

Best Unscripted Series
The Real Housewives Of Lagos
Nigerian Idol
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Offair With Gbemi And Toolz
Out N’ About (Harar)

Best Director
Akinola Davies Jr.- My Father’s Shadow
Tunde Kelani – Cordelia
James Omokwe – Osamede
Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
Yemi Filmboy Morafa – Gingerrr
Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes

Best Overall Movie
Gingerrr
The Herd
My Father’s Shadow
3 Cold Dishes
The Serpent’s Gift
Behind The Scenes