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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.