Nominees for the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been announced ahead of the ceremony slated for May 9, 2026.
The unveiling officially kickstarts another award season in the African entertainment industry, with actors, filmmakers and digital content creators competing across 32 categories.
Organisers had earlier appointed veteran actress, Joke Silva, as Head Judge for the 2026 edition, replacing filmmaker Femi Odugbemi.
According to the organisers, this year’s awards will comprise 18 jury-based categories, 11 audience voting categories and three honorary recognitions, including the Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards.
The AMVCA also expanded its category list with the introduction of Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa), a move designed to increase regional representation across the continent.
The nominees announcement was broadcast live on Africa Magic channels, with AMVCA-winning actor Chimezie Imo anchoring the show.
Below is the full 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)
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
Best Documentary
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
