The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) reached its grand finale on Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, with a vibrant celebration of excellence in African cinema, television, and digital storytelling.
The prestigious ceremony, which commenced at 7 p.m., served as a major convergence point for seasoned filmmakers, actors, and visionary content creators from across the continent. The night was marked by emotional tributes and a showcase of Africa’s rapid evolution in the creative economy.
Outstanding works were honoured across diverse categories, reflecting the high standards of modern African production. From gripping historical epics to contemporary digital narratives, the winners were selected for their technical precision and storytelling depth.
The star-studded event was broadcast live to millions of viewers across Africa via DStv and GOtv channels, as well as digital streaming platforms, underscoring the award’s position as a premier pan-African cultural institution.
LEADERSHIP reports that the 2026 edition saw several productions, including My Father’s Shadow and Colours of Fire, dominate the technical and acting categories.
Below is a full list of nominees across the major categories, with winners highlighted:
Best Lead Actor
Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire (WINNER)
Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi
William Benson – To Kill a Monkey
Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes
Femi Branch – Red Circle
Best Lead Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift (WINNER)
Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency
Scarlet Gomez – Behind the Scenes
Genoveva Umeh – The Herd
Gloria Anozie-Young – Mother of the Brides
Best Movie
My Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo & Rachel Dargavel (WINNER)
Gingerrr – Bisola Aiyeola & team
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong & team
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Oluseyi & team
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Behind the Scenes – Funke Akindele & Wendy Imaseun
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 Heman-Ackah
Best Writing (Movie)
My Father’s Shadow – Wale Davies (WINNER)
The Herd – Lani Aisida
Blackout – Ikenna Okpara
Cards on the Table – Shirleen Wangari
Gingerrr – Xavier Ighorodje
Suky – Isaac Ayodeji
3 Cold Dishes – Tomi Adesina
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Lisabi (A Legend is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji (WINNER)
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Labake Olododo – Iyabo Ojo & team
Aljana – Grace Yachat Yakubu
Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina
Best Supporting Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Herd (WINNER)
Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Funke Akindele – Behind the Scenes
Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series
Nadia Dutch – Aljana
Best Supporting Actor
Bucci Franklin – To Kill a Monkey (WINNER)
Femi Adebayo – Agesinkole 2
Gabriel Afolayan – Colours of Fire
Uzor Arukwe – Behind the Scenes
Lateef Adedimeji – Red Circle
Technical Categories
Best Costume Design: Valerie Okeke – Colours of Fire (WINNER)
Best Art Direction: Ajamolaya Bunmi – Colours of Fire (WINNER)
Best Cinematography: Kabelo Thathe – To Kill A Monkey (WINNER)
Best Editing: Daniel Anyiam – To Kill a Monkey (WINNER)
Best Sound Design: Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow (WINNER)
Best Makeup: Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) – Warlord (WINNER)
Digital & Originals
Best Digital Content Creator: Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom – Leave To Live (WINNER)
Best Writing (TV Series): MTV Shuga Mashariki – Annette Shadeya & others (WINNER)
Best Unscripted M-Net Original: Nigerian Idol (S10) – Sulaiman Kassim, Anneke De Ridder (WINNER)
Best Scripted M-Net Original: The Low Priest – Femi D. Ogunsanwo (WINNER)
Best Indigenous M-Net Original: Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu (WINNER)
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