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The stars have aligned once again as the organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) officially pull back the curtain on the nominees for its landmark 12th edition. With the main ceremony set for May 9, the buzz is already electric following the appointment of the legendary Joke Silva as Head Judge.
This year, the AMVCAs are more inclusive than ever, featuring 32 categories that span the breadth of the continent. In a major move to celebrate African diversity, two brand-new categories: Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa), have been introduced to the roster. Whether it’s the high-stakes drama of the jury-voted awards or the fan-fueled excitement of the audience categories, the 2026 lineup proves that African storytelling is reaching new, unprecedented heights.
1. Best Overall Movie
Gingerrr
The Herd
My Father’s Shadow
3 Cold Dishes
The Serpent’s Gift
Behind The Scenes
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. Digital & Short Film Categories
Best Digital Content Creator: Elozonam Ogbolu & Genoveva Umeh, Akwaman, Destiny Ogie Osarewinda, Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom, Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo, Taaooma, Steve Chuks.
Best Short Film: Fleas, Rise, Telephone, Hussaini, My Body, God’s Temple.
Best Documentary: Beyond Olympic Glory, The Good, The Bad of Afrobeat, The People Shall, Not Addressing This Anymore, BOU.
8. Indigenous Language Films (By Region)
West Africa: The Serpent’s Gift, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, Labake Olododo, Olorisha, Aljana.
East Africa: Inside Job, Sayari, Addis Fikir, My Son, Kimote.
South Africa: Bet I Love You, Sebata: The Beast, Ben Made It, Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2, Tlhaho Ya Mosadi.
North Africa (New!): The Omnipresent, The Delivery, The Hidden Voice, This Is Portsaid, Artal Alhanin: Our Memories.
Central Africa (New!): Mabanda, Safou: A Gift From Nature, Golden Spoon.
9. Television & Series
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 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), Undugu.
Best Indigenous M-Net Original: Inimba, Kukoyi, Undugu, Out N’ About (Harar), Kampala Creme, The Chocolate Empire, Mgbuka.
10. Technical Categories
Best Cinematography: My Father’s Shadow, To Kill A Monkey, The Herd, Finding Nina, The Serpent’s Gift, Stitches, Gingerrr.
Best Editing: Cordelia, My Father’s Shadow, Landline, 3 Cold Dishes, Osamede, To Kill A Monkey.
Best Sound Design: My Father’s Shadow, Gingerrr, Ben Made It, The Party, Sebata: The Beast, The Herd.
Best Music Score: My Father’s Shadow, 3 Cold Dishes, Osamede, Gingerrr, The Party, MTV Shuga Mashariki, To Kill A Monkey.
Best Art Direction: The Serpent’s Gift, The Herd, Colours Of Fire, Aljana, Suky, Inimba.
Best Costume Design: The Serpent’s Gift, The Real Housewives Of Lagos, Colours Of Fire, Something About The Briggs, To Kill A Monkey.
Best Makeup: Behind The Scenes, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, Gingerrr, Abanisete, Warlord, Suky, Labake Olododo.
11. Writing Categories
Best Writing (TV Series): The Wives, MTV Shuga Mashariki, Our Husband, Addis Fikir, Baba Oh, The Party, Gizat.
Best Writing (Movie): The Herd, My Father’s Shadow, Blackout, Cards On The Table, Gingerrr, Suky, 3 Cold Dishes.
From breakout digital creators to the heavyweights of the big screen, the 2026 AMVCA nominees reflect a year of incredible technical growth and emotional depth in African filmmaking. With 18 jury-voted awards and 11 categories left in the hands of the fans, the stage is set for a night of surprises and well-deserved celebrations.
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