The nominations for the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been announced, with the main ceremony set for May 9th. A key change this year is the appointment of veteran actress Joke Silva as Head Judge, succeeding long-time juror Femi Odugbemi.
This edition reinforces AMVCA’s pan-African focus, introducing two new categories to celebrate regional cinema: Best Indigenous Language – North Africa and Best Indigenous Language – Central Africa. The awards will feature 32 categories in total, including 18 jury-voted awards, 11 public-voted awards, and 3 special recognition honours, such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards.
We give a juicy rundown of who we think should win and who will actually take home the AMVCA plaques come May.
BEST MOVIE
Gingerrr – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, Ladun Awobokun
My Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Rachel Dargavel
3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi, Ly Oumar
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Behind the Scenes – Funke Ayotunde Akindele, Wendy Uwadie Imaseun
Who should win: While a lot of people might be rooting for My Father’s Shadow, Etim Effiong’s The Herd came at the right time and spoke to the current Nigerian climate. It wasn’t afraid to confront the failings of the Nigerian society.
Who would win: My Father’s Shadow. Freedom Way’s win last year showed that the AMVCA now has its eyes on indie and festival films. My Father’s Shadow made history at Cannes last year as the first Nigerian film; it feels almost preordained that it snags the award for best movie.
BEST DIRECTOR
My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies JR
Cordelia – Tunde Kelani
Osamede – James Kaluu Omokwe
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong
Gingerrr – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Who should win: Tunde Kelani. His comeback film stole the hearts of many.
Who would win: Tunde Kelani. Everybody loves a comeback story, more so a great one. The period drama follows Dr. Adekunle (William Benson), who thought that by leaving home, he was ending his sad marriage, only for his life to be transformed forever.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
The Yard – Simileoluwa Hassan
Gingerrr – Lateef Adedemeji
Colours of Fire – Gabriel Afolayan
To Kill a Monkey – Bucci Franklin
Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2 – Femi Adebayo
Red Circle – Lateef Adedimeji
Owambe Thieves – Femi Branch
Behind the Scenes – Uzor Arukwe
Who should win: Bucci Franklin. His performance as Oboz had people talking for days. He captured everybody’s attention and held it till the end.
Who would win: Bucci Franklin. The AMVCA has not always been kind, but this might just be his year.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
The Herd – Linda Ejiofor
Oversabi Aunty – Olamide Kidbaby
Gingerrr – Bisola Aiyeola
The Covenant Series – Sola Sobowale
Aljana – Nadia Dutch
The Herd – Amal Umar
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Juliebrenda Nyambura
Behind the Scenes – Funke Ayotunde Akindele
Who should win: Amal Umar. Her performance as a subdued matriarch of the ring in The Herd is one of the overlooked performances of 2025, but she deserves her flowers. Each moment of her on screen was truly unforgettable.
Who would win: Linda Ejiofor. Seasoned actress, the bigger face in the memorable thriller.
BEST LEAD ACTOR
Oversabi Aunty – Mike Ezuruonye
Lisabi (A Legend is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji
To Kill a Monkey – William Benson
Grandpa Must Obey – Kanaya O. Kanayo
Bet I Love You – Khumbuza Meyiwa
Colours of Fire– Uzor Arukwe
3 Cold Dishes – Wale Ojo
Red Circle – Femi Branch
Who should win: Wale Ojo. Ojo is by far the best thing about the blockbuster. He held the fort for the acting category in 3 Cold Dishes. Truly a striking performance.
Who would win: William Benson. To Kill A Monkey is by far one of the most talked-about productions from Nollywood in 2025. The buzz around the show and the actor is too heavy for him not to walk away with an AMVCA.
BEST LEAD ACTRESS
The Serpent’s Gift – Linda Ejiofor
To Kill a Monkey – Bimbo Akintola
The Lost Days – Ifeoma Fafunwa
Something About The Briggs – Ariyike Owolagba
Her Excellency – Sola Sobowale
Behind the Scenes – Scarlet Gomez
The Herd – Genoveva Umeh
Who should win: Genoveva Umeh. Ever since stepping into the scene, she has delivered class act performances, but it is in this role that she truly shone.
Who would win: Genoveva Umeh. It might feel like a stretch because she has one of the plaques already, but this category is hers.
BEST DIGITAL CONTENT CREATOR
Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion” – Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh
The Marriage List – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
Leave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
The Rate Race – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
Luxury Koko – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
August Meeting Election – Steve Chuks
Did I Just Hear Muah – Akwaman
BEST SCRIPTED MNET ORIGINALS
Adam to Eve – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
Mother of the Brides – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Low Priest – Femi D. Ogunsanwo
Bobo – Maurice Muendo
BEST INDIGENOUS MNET ORIGINALS
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, and Yolanda Ndhlovu
Kukoyi – David Akande
Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
Out N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
Kamapala Creme – Joel Ndugwa
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
Mgbuka – Eze Izu
BEST USCRIPTED MNET ORIGINALS
Nigerian Idol (Season 10) – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
Chappa Chappa My Love – Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida and Gabriela Ueno
Out N’ About – Bruk Yibrah
Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
BEST SHORT FILM
Rise – Jessie J. Rowlands
Fleas – Jordy Sank
Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo
Hussainin – Orire Nwani, Josh Olaoluwa
My Body, God’s Temple – Uzoamaka Power
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (WEST AFRICA)
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Lisabi (A Legend is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji
Labake Olododo – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Aalaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun
Aljana – Grace Yachat Yakubu
Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (EAST AFRICA)
Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, Barbara Njeri Maina
Sayari – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi
Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw
My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile
Kimote – Hassan Mageye
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS ( SOUTHERN AFRICA)
Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise
Sebata (The Beast) – African Entertainers
Ben Made It – Thabang Mathuumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso
Terra of Queens and Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (NORTH AFRICA)
The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben Khalifa
The Delivery – Abdalla Ezyan
The Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
This is Portsaid – Abdalla Ezyan
Artal Alhanin: Our Memories – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (CENTRAL AFRICA)
Mabanda – Kang Quintus
Safou (A Gift From Nature) – Nyasha Makamba
Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
Mother of the Brides – Gloria Anozie-Young
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE FILMS (EAST AFRICA)
Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, Barbara Njeri Maina
Sayari – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi
Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw
My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile
Kimote – Hassan Mageye
BEST ART DIRECTION
The Serpent’s Gift – Zainab Oladupupo
The Herd – Omolade Abisola
Colours of Fire – Ajamolaya Bunmi
Aljana-Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon Stephen
Suky – Victor Akpan
Inimba – Thabiso Senne
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
My Father’s Shadow – Jermaine Edwards
To Kill A Monkey – Kabelo Thathe
The Herd – Emmanuel Igbekele
Finding Nina – Daanong Gyang
The Serpent’s Gift – Emmanuel Igbekele
Stitches – KC Obiajulu
Gingerr – Emmanuel Igbekele
BEST COSTUME DESIGN
The Serpent’s gift – Mary Chukuma
The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3) – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
Colours of Fire – Valerie Okeke
Something About The Briggs – Yolanda Okereke
To Kill a Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel
BEST MAKEUP
Behind the scenes – Mojisola Imam
Lisabi (A Legend Is Born) – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Gingerr – Diablaq Artistry
Abanisete – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Warlor – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
Suky – Ruth Harcourt
Labake Olododo – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
BEST SOUND/SOUND DESIGN
My Father’s Shadow – Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra
Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
Ben Made It – Vaughan Phillips
The Party – Tolu Obanro
Sebata (The Beast) – Vaughan Phillips
The Herd – Fisayo Adefolaju
BEST SCORE MUSIC
My Father’s Shadow – Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra
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 EDITING
Cordelia – Kazeem Agboola
My Father’s Shadow – Omar Guzman Castro
Landline – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Osamede – Winston AIG-Ohioma
To Kill a Monkey – Daniel Anyiam
BEST WRITING (MOVIE)
The Herd – Lani Aisida
My Father’s Shadow – Wale Davies
Blackout – Ikenna Okpara
Cards on the Table – Shirleen Wangari
Gingerrr – Xavier Ighorodje
Suky – Isaac Ayodeji
3 Cold Dishes – Tomi Adesina
BEST WRITING (TV SERIES)
The Wives – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
MTV Shuga Masahariki – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo
Our Husband – Xavier Ighorodje
Addis Fikir – Besufekade Mulu
Baba OH – Temilola Balogun
The Party – Stephen Okonkwo
Gizat – Yednekachew Ayne
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Beyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack Salami
The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat – Louis Ejiofor
The People Shall – Mark Maina, Nick Wambugu
Not Adressing This Anymore – Huzzain Bello
BOU – Mwaka Gerald Remmy
BEST SERIES (SCRIPTED)
To Kill a Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki, Philippe Bresson
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, Yolanda Ndhlovu
Kash Money – Grace Khaki, Phillipe Benson
BEST SERIES (UNSCRIPTED)
The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3) – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
Nigerian Idol (S10) – Sulaiman Kassim, Anneke De Ridder
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel
Off Air – Gbemi and Toolz
Out N’ About – Bruk Yibrah
Today’s post was brought to you by Praise Okeoghene Vandeh and Shalom Tewobola.