Lights. Anticipation. Celebration. As the African film and television community looks toward another night of prestige and recognition, the nominees for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been unveiled — and this year’s list reads like a celebration of storytelling evolution on the continent’s screens.

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The annual awards, regarded as one of Africa’s most influential entertainment accolades, spotlight the continent’s finest creative talents and productions from the past year. This year’s nominations reflect not just popularity, but artistic depth, technical craftsmanship, and narrative diversity — signaling how African cinema continues to grow in complexity, quality, and global relevance.

Top Contenders

The headline news from the AMVCA 2026 nomination list is the commanding presence of Gingerrr and The Herd, each earning nine nominations, the highest for this edition. These two films stand out across major categories, including Best Movie, Best Director, and key technical achievements, underscoring their cinematic impact.

Trailing closely is To Kill A Monkey, which secured eight nominations, followed by My Father’s Shadow with seven nods — all signaling a vibrant year in African storytelling.

The nominees span 32 award categories, including 18 jury‑decided, 11 public‑voted, and three special recognition honours. This blend ensures both industry expertise and audience voices shape the outcomes at the ceremony, scheduled for May 9, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.

Stars, Breakthroughs

In the acting categories, a compelling mix of established stars and rising talents has been recognised. Veteran actor Sola Sobowale received nominations in both lead and supporting roles, reaffirming her enduring influence in Nollywood. Meanwhile, Genoveva Umeh earned her first-ever nomination for Best Lead Actress — a milestone that reflects her growing stature as a performer with international appeal.

Other familiar names like Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji also scored multiple nods, illustrating how the nominees list bridges experience with fresh voices.

The AMVCA continues to evolve, expanding categories and celebrating indigenous languages and storytelling forms — an effort that amplifies diverse African narratives on screen. For instance, past coverage has showcased the awards’ Cultural Day and its emphasis on Africa’s rich creative heritage, setting the tone for meaningful recognition.

What It Means For African Film

The prominence of films like Gingerrr, The Herd, and To Kill A Monkey reflects a broader shift in African cinema — one that values technical excellence, layered storytelling, and cultural resonance. These films achieved not just critical recognition but commercial traction following their 2025 releases, demonstrating that African films can connect meaningfully with audiences at home and abroad.

As the continent’s filmmakers push creative boundaries, the AMVCA serves both as a celebration and a barometer of industry growth — inspiring new talent while affirming established voices.

12th Edition Nominees Full List

Best Digital Content Creator

Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
Elozonam Ogbolu & Genoveva Umeh – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
Destiny Ogie Osarewinda – The Marriage List
Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom – Leave To Live
Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo – The Rate Race
Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) – Luxury Koko
Steve Chuks – August Meeting Election
Akwaman – Did I Hear Muah

Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)

Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise
Sebata: The Beast
Ben Made It – Thabang Mathumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso
Terra of Queens and Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – Naledi Galane et al.

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)

Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u et al.
Sayari – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi
Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw
My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile
Kimote – Hassan Mageye

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 (West Africa)

The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji
Labake Olododo – Iyabo Ojo et al.
Aljana – Grace Yakubu
Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina

Best Indigenous Language (North Africa)

The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben Khalifa
The Delivery – Abdalla Ezyan
The Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
This Is Portsaid – Abdalla Ezyan
Artal Alhanin – Mohamed Awad et al.

Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa)

Mabanda – Kang Quintus
Safou: A Gift From Nature – Nyasha Makamba
Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown

Best Scripted M-Net Original

Adam To Eve
Mother of the Brides
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 (S2)
The Chocolate Empire
Mgbuka

Best Supporting Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Herd
Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series
Nadia Dutch – Aljana
Amal Umar – The Herd
Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Funke Akindele – Behind The Scene

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 Cinematography

My Father’s Shadow
To Kill A Monkey
The Herd
Finding Nina
The Serpent’s Gift
Stitches
Gingerrr

Best Art Direction

The Serpent’s Gift
The Herd
Colours of Fire
Aljana
Suky
Inimba

Best Documentary

Beyond Olympic Glory
The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat
The People Shall
Not Addressing This Anymore
BOU

Best Score/Music

My Father’s Shadow
3 Cold Dishes
Osamede
Gingerrr
The Party
MTV Shuga Mashariki
To Kill A Monkey

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

Best Costume Design

The Serpent’s Gift
The Real Housewives of Lagos S2
Colours of Fire
Something About The Briggs
To Kill A Monkey

Best Sound Design

My Father’s Shadow
Gingerrr
Ben Made It
The Party
Sebata (The Beast)
The Herd

Best Series (Scripted)

To Kill A Monkey
The Yard
The Chocolate Empire
Inimba
Kash Money

Best Make-up

Behind The Scenes
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Gingerrr
Abanisete
Warlord
Suky
Labake Olododo

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 Supporting Actor

Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr
Gabriel Afolayan – Colours of Fire
Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey
Femi Adeboye – Agesinkole 2
Femi Branch – Red Circle
Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes

Best Director

Akinola Davies Jr – My Father’s Shadow
Tunde Kelani – Cordelia
James Kalu Omokwe – Osamede
Daniel Etim-Effiong – The Herd
Yemi Morafa – Gingerrr
Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes

Best Editing

Cordelia
My Father’s Shadow
Landline
3 Cold Dishes
Osamede
To Kill A Monkey

Best Movie

Gingerrr
The Herd
My Father’s Shadow
3 Cold Dishes
The Serpent’s Gift
Behind The Scenes

Best Series (Unscripted)

The Real Housewives of Lagos S3
Nigerian Idol S10
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Offair With Gbemi and Toolz
Out N’ About (Harar)