The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations were unveiled this Sunday, with the prestigious ceremony slated for May 9. Nollywood films ‘Ginger’ and ‘The Swarm’ each secured nine nominations, leading the pack in this year’s recognition.
Kemi Adetiba’s ‘To Kill A Monkey’ and Akinola Davis Jr.’s ‘My Father’s Shadow’ followed closely, earning seven nominations apiece. Both ‘The Serpent’s Gift’ and ‘3 Cold Dishes’ received six nominations, while ‘Behind The Scenes’ garnered five. This year’s event highlights the evolving landscape of African cinema and television.
One of the evening’s key moments was the appointment of renowned actress Joke Silva as the chief judge, stepping in for Femi Odugbemi. The AMVCA continues its commitment to inclusivity by introducing two new award categories: Best Indigenous Language Film for North Africa and Central Africa, enhancing its representation across the continent.
This year’s AMVCA will feature 32 categories overall. Among these, 18 will be determined by a jury, 11 through public vote, and an additional three awarded for special recognition, which includes the Lifetime Achievement Award and the Pioneer Award.
Complete List of Nominations
Best Digital Content Creator
Elozonam Ogbolu, Genoveva Ume, Akwaman, Destiny Ogie Osarewinda, Emmanuel Kanaga, Sophia Chisom, Benedict Ehimale Oriaifo, Taaoma, Steve Chakus.
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
The Serpent’s Gift, Risabi: The Birth of a Legend, Labake Olododo, Olorisha, Arjana.
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 Bears 2, Toraho Ya Mosadi.
Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
Omnipresence, Delivery, Hidden Voices, This Is Portside, Altar Arhanin: Our Memories.
Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Mabunda, Sahu: Gift of Nature, Golden Spoon.
M-Net Original Screenplay Award
Adam to Eve, Mother of the Bride, Garden, Low Priest, Bobo.
Best Non-Scripted M-Net Original Work
Nigerian Idol S10, Ultimate Girls’ Trip: Africa, Chapa Chapa My Love, Out and About (Halal), Undugu.
Best Indigenous M-Net Original Award
Inyimba, Kukoi, Undugu, Out and About (Halal), Kampala Cream, Chocolate Empire, Magbuka.
Best Short Film Award
Flea, Rise, Telephone, Hussaini, My Body, Temple of God.
Best Supporting Actor Award
Similar to Hassan – The Yard, Lateef Adedimeji – Zingal, Gabriel Afolayan – Colors of Fire, Butch Franklin – To Kill a Monkey, Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves 2, Lateef Adedimeji – Red Circle, Femi Branch – Owambe Thief, Uzor Arkwe – Behind the Scenes.
Best Supporting Actress Award
Linda Ejiofor – The Hard, Olamide Kidbaby – Oversubi Ante, Bisola Aiyola – Zingal, Sola Sobowale – The Covenant, Nadia Dutch – Arjana, Amar Umar – Herd, Julie Brenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki, Funke Akindele – Behind the Scenes.
Best Actor Award
Mike Ezuluonye – Oversabble Auntie, Lateef Adimeji – Risabi: Birth of a Legend, William Benson – To Kill a Monkey, Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey, Kumbuzha Meiwa – Bet I Love You, Uzor Arkwe – Colors of Fire, Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes, Femi Branch – Red Circle.
Best Leading Actress Award
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift, Bimbo Akintola – To Kill a Monkey, Ifeoma Fafunwa – Lost Days, Arike Owolagba – About Briggs, Sola Sobowale – Your Excellency, Scarlett Gomez – Behind the Scenes, Genoveva Plum – Herd, Gloria Anozie-Young – Mother of the Bride.
Best Cinematography Award
Jermaine Edwards – Father’s Shadow, Cabello That – To Kill a Monkey, Emmanuel Igbeker – The Herd, Daanon Gyan – Looking for Nina, Emmanuel Igbekere – The Gift of the Serpent, KC Obiajule – Stitch, Emmanuel Igbekele – Ginger.
Best Editing Award
Kazeem Agboola – Cordelia, Omar Guzmán Castro – Father’s Shadow, Wangma Peter Chidebele, Dele Doherty – Landline, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes, Winston Aig-Ohioma – Osamede, Daniel Anyam – To Kill a Monkey.
Best Sound Design
Pius Fatke, CJ Milla – Father’s Shadow, Tolu Obanro – Ginger, Vaughan Phillips – Ben Made It, Tolu Obanro – The Party, Vaughan Phillips – Sebata: The Beast, Fisayo Adefolage – Herd.
Best Music Award
Duval Timothy, CJ Mira – Father’s Shadow, Nissi Ogulu – 3 Cold Dishes, Chub Okoba – Osamede, Tolu Obanro – Ginger, Tolu Obanro – The Party, Sofresh – MTV Shuga Mashariki, Oscar Hemann-Acker – How to Kill a Monkey.
Best Art Direction Award
Zainab Oladipupo – The Gift of the Serpent, Omolade Abisola – Herd, Ajamolaya Bunmi – Colors of Fire, Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen – Arjana, Victor Akpan – Sookie, Thabiso Senne – Inyimba.
Best Costume Design Award
Mary Chukwuma – The Gift of the Serpent, Deola Art Arad, Dalay Art Arad – Real Housewives of Lagos, Valerie Okeke – Colors of Fire, Yolanda Okereke – About Briggs, Ikechukwu Ulum, John Joseph Angell – To Kill a Monkey.
Best Makeup
Mojisola Imam – Behind the Scenes, Adeola Bamboye – Risabi: The Birth of a Legend, Dablaq Artistry – Gingal, Adeola Bangboye – Abanisete, Hakim Effect – Warlord, Ruth Harcourt – Sookie, Adeola Bangboye – Labake Olododo.
Best Scripted TV Series
Donald Tombia, Timendu Agahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu – Wives, Annette Shedeya, Natasha Likimani, Mukamzi Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjira, Makgano Mamabolo – MTV Shuga Mashariki, Xavier Igologe – Our Husband, Besfekade Mul – Addis Fikir, Temilola Balogun – Baba O, Stephen Okonkwo – The Party, Yednekachu Ein – Gizat.
Best Screenplay Award for a Movie
Rani Aishida – Herd, Wale Davis – Father’s Shadow, Ikenna Okpala – Blackout, Charlene Wangari – Cards on the Table, Xavier Igologe – Zingal, Isaac Ayodeji – Sookie, Tomi Adesina – 3 Cold Dishes.
Best Documentary Award
Beyond Olympic Glory, alongside the exploration of the Afrobeats movement.
Best Scripted Series
To Kill a Monkey, The Yard, The Chocolate Empire, Inyimba, Kash Money.
Best Unscripted Series
The Real Housewives of Lagos, Nigerian Idol S10, and the Ultimate Girls’ Trip: Off-Fair, Outing with Africa, Gbemi and Tools (Halal).
Best Director Award
Akinola Davis Jr. – My Father’s Shadow, Tunde Kelani – Cordelia, James Omokwe – Osamede, Daniel Etim Effiong – The Hard, Yemi Filmboy Morafa – Ginger, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes.
Best Overall Film Award
Ginger, Herd, Father’s Shadow, Three Cold Dishes, The Serpent’s Gift, Behind the Scenes.
Public voting has now commenced for select categories, with winners set to be revealed during the awards ceremony on May 9.
