The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre in Lagos, bringing together some of the continent’s biggest names in film, television, and entertainment to celebrate excellence in African storytelling.
The ceremony, hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha and Bovi, formed part of the growing partnership between Canal+ and MultiChoice aimed at expanding and promoting African creative content.
The night opened with the Best Costume Design award, won by Valerie Okeke for Colours of Fire, setting the tone for an evening marked by recognition of outstanding cinematic achievements across the continent.
Among the biggest winners of the night was My Father’s Shadow, which secured five awards, including Best Movie, Best Sound Design, and Best Music Score. The film also earned Akinola Davies Jr. the Best Director award, while Akinola Davies and Wale Davies won Best Writing in a Movie.
Colours of Fire also emerged as one of the evening’s standout productions. Valerie Okeke won Best Costume Design, while Ajamolaya Bunmi and Yakub Oladejo received the award for Best Art Direction. Uzor Arukwe won Best Lead Actor for his performance in the production.
Another major winner was To Kill a Monkey, which claimed awards for Best Cinematography through Kabelo Thathe, Best Editing for Daniel Anyiam, and Best Supporting Actor won by Bucci Franklin.
In the acting categories, Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the night’s top performers, winning Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.
Other winners included Hakeem Onilogbo, also known as Hakeem Effect, who won Best Makeup for Lisabi, while MTV Shuga Mashariki secured the award for Best Writing in a TV Series.
The awards also recognised productions in indigenous language categories across Africa. Lisabi won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), while Leul Addis Fikir claimed the East Africa category. Tlhaho Ya Mosadi won in Southern Africa, Our Memories: Artal Alhanin took the North Africa category, and Mabanda emerged victorious in Central Africa.
In television and digital content categories, Inimba won both Best Indigenous M-Net Original and Best Scripted Series. Nigerian Idol Season 10 received the award for Best Unscripted M-Net Original, while Out and About won Best Unscripted Series.
Sophia Chisom and Emmanuel Kanaga won Best Digital Content Creator for Leave to Live, while Beyond Olympic Glory by Shedrack Salami received the Best Documentary award. Hussaini, produced by Josh Olaoluwa and Orire Nwani, won Best Short Film. Telecommunications company MTN also rewarded winners with a ₦5 million cash prize in recognition of their achievements.
Beyond the awards, the ceremony featured performances from Fave, Tiwa Savage, and BNXN. Purp, winner of Nigerian Idol Season 10, delivered a tribute performance in honour of entertainment industry figures who passed away.
Veteran actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were honoured with the Industry Merit Award for their contributions to African cinema, while Uche Montana received the Trailblazer Award.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also addressed guests during the ceremony, commending the organisers and partners for sustaining a platform that continues to celebrate African creativity and talent.
“If you don’t win tonight, you can win next year because it is not just about winning alone. Even being nominated is a big achievement,” he said.
With its blend of entertainment, cultural celebration, and recognition of creative excellence, the 12th AMVCA once again reinforced its status as one of Africa’s most prestigious platforms for honouring film, television, and storytelling across the continent.
