May 10, (THEWILL) — The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held on Saturday, May 9, at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, celebrating excellence in African film, television, and digital content across 32 categories.
Hosted by comedian Bovi Ugboma alongside South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha, the ceremony brought together filmmakers, actors, and content creators from across the continent.
Nollywood stars and celebrities lit up the red carpet under the theme, “Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture,” appearing in luxury couture and elaborate traditional outfits.
Veteran actress Joke Silva served as head judge for this year’s edition.
“My Father’s Shadow” emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night, taking home Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing (Movie), Best Sound Design, and Best Score Music.
Linda Ejiofor made AMVCA history after winning both Best Lead Actress for “The Serpent’s Gift” and Best Supporting Actress for “The Herd.”
Uzor Arukwe also secured his first AMVCA win, taking home the Best Lead Actor award for his role as Akinbode in the fantasy epic “Colours of Fire.”
Bucci Franklin won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “To Kill a Monkey.”
Nollywood veterans Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale received Industry Merit Awards in recognition of their contributions to African cinema.
The ceremony also featured performances and emotional moments, including a tribute by Nigerian Idol Season 10 winner Purp, who honoured industry icons lost within the past year.
The night ended with performances from Afrobeats stars Tiwa Savage and BNXN.
Below is the full list of winners:
Best Movie — My Father’s Shadow
Best Director — Akinola Davies Jr (“My Father’s Shadow”)
Best Lead Actor — Uzor Arukwe (“Colours of Fire”)
Best Lead Actress — Linda Ejiofor (“The Serpent’s Gift”)
Best Supporting Actor — Bucci Franklin (“To Kill a Monkey”)
Best Supporting Actress — Linda Ejiofor (“The Herd”)
Trailblazer Award — Uche Montana
Industry Merit Award — Sola Sobowale
Industry Merit Award — Kanayo O. Kanayo
Technical and Production Categories
Best Cinematography — To Kill a Monkey
Best Editing — “To Kill a Monkey”
Best Art Direction — Colours of Fire
Best Costume Design — “Colours of Fire”
Best Makeup — Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Best Sound Design — “My Father’s Shadow”
Best Score Music — “My Father’s Shadow”
Best Writing (Movie) — “My Father’s Shadow”
Best Writing (TV Series) — MTV Shuga Mashariki
Series and Digital Categories
Best Scripted Series — Inimba
Best Scripted M-Net Original — The Low Priest
Best Unscripted Series — Nigerian Idol Season 10
Best Indigenous M-Net Original — “Inimba”
Best Digital Content Creator — Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom (“Leave To Live”)
Indigenous Language Film Winners
West Africa — “Lisabi: A Legend Is Born”
East Africa — Addis Fikir
North Africa — Artal Alhanin: Our Memories
Central Africa — Mabanda
South Africa — Tlhaho Ya Mosadi
Documentary and Short Film
Best Documentary — Beyond Olympic Glory
Best Short Film — Hussainin
Evi Ben Ezaga writes on entertainment, culture, and trending stories.
