The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA 2026) took place on May 9, 2026, at the prestigious Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos, Nigeria. Hosted by Bovi and Nomzamo Mbatha, the star-studded ceremony celebrated excellence across African film, television, and digital content. While the red carpet dazzled with glamour and fashion debates, the real highlight was the recognition of outstanding talent and storytelling that pushed boundaries. en.wikipedia.org
My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr., emerged as the biggest winner of the night, sweeping five major awards including the coveted Best Movie. Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman made history by becoming the first actress to win both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress in a single edition. Other standout films like Colours of Fire, To Kill a Monkey, and Lisabi (A Legend Is Born) also shone brightly.bbc.com
This comprehensive guide presents the full official list of winners across all categories, along with key highlights, notable moments, and what these victories mean for the future of African cinema.
Major Film Wins: My Father’s Shadow Dominates
Best Movie
Winner: My Father’s Shadow (Producers: Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel) Other nominees: Gingerrr, The Herd, 3 Cold Dishes, The Serpent’s Gift, Behind the Scenes. The semi-autobiographical drama, which weaves personal grief with Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis, stood out for its emotional depth, technical excellence, and authentic storytelling. This win marks a significant boost for thoughtful, festival-calibre African narratives. punchng.com
Best Director
Winner: Akinola Davies Jr. – My Father’s Shadow Other nominees: Tunde Kelani (Cordelia), James Omokwe (Osamede), Daniel Etim Effiong (The Herd), Yemi Filmboy Morafa (Gingerrr), Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi (3 Cold Dishes). Davies Jr.’s assured debut direction earned high praise for its poetic visuals and sensitive handling of complex themes.Best Writing in a Movie
Winner: Wale Davies – My Father’s Shadow Other nominees included scripts from The Herd, Gingerrr, and 3 Cold Dishes.Best Score/Music
Winner: Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow Best Sound Design
Winner: Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow These technical wins underscored the film’s immersive soundscape and emotionally resonant score. zikoko.com
Acting Categories: Historic Night for Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman
Best Lead Actor
Winner: Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire Other nominees: Mike Ezuruonye (Oversabi Aunty), Lateef Adedimeji (Lisabi: A Legend Is Born), William Benson (To Kill a Monkey), Kanayo O. Kanayo (Grandpa Must Obey), and more. Uzor delivered a compelling performance that resonated with voters. en.wikipedia.org
Best Lead Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman – The Serpent’s Gift Other nominees: Bimbo Akintola (To Kill a Monkey), Sola Sobowale (Her Excellency), Genoveva Umeh (The Herd), and others. Best Supporting Actor
Winner: Bucci Franklin – To Kill a Monkey Best Supporting Actress
Winner: Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman – The Herd Linda’s double victory created one of the most memorable moments of the night. Her powerful roles in two vastly different films showcased remarkable range and depth.
Technical and Craft Awards
Best Cinematography
Winner: Kabelo Thathe – To Kill a Monkey (Some sources also highlight strong work by Jermaine Edwards on My Father’s Shadow).Best Editing
Winner: Daniel Anyiam – To Kill a Monkey Best Art Direction
Winner: Ajamolaya Bunmi – Colours of Fire Best Costume Design
Winner: Valerie Okeke – Colours of Fire Best Makeup
Winner: Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) – Warlord (Variations note Lisabi in some reports).
Indigenous Language and Regional Film Awards
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Winner: Lisabi (A Legend Is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji Lateef also received heartfelt tributes, especially after welcoming triplets with his wife Mo Bimpe.Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Winner: Addis Fikir Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Winner: Tlhaho Ya Mosadi Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
Winner: Artal Alhanin: Our Memories Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Winner: Mabanda These categories highlighted the rich diversity of storytelling across the continent.
Television and Series Awards
Best Scripted Series
Winner: Inimba Best Unscripted Series
Winner: Nigerian Idol (S10) Best Scripted M-Net Original
Winner: The Low Priest Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Winner: Nigerian Idol (S10) Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Winner: Inimba Best Writing – TV Series
Winner: MTV Shuga Mashariki
Digital, Short Film, and Documentary
Best Digital Content Creator
Winner: Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom – “Leave To Live” Best Short Film
Winner: Hussaini Best Documentary
Winner: Beyond Olympic Glory
Special Awards
Trailblazer Award
Winner: Uche Montana Her fiery red-carpet look and inspiring speech added to the night’s memorable moments.Industry Merit Awards
Winners: Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo These legends received well-deserved recognition for their decades-long contributions to African entertainment.
Why AMVCA 2026 Matters for African Storytelling
The dominance of My Father’s Shadow signals a maturing Nollywood and broader African film industry that values substance alongside spectacle. Films tackling personal trauma, political history, and cultural nuances gained top honours, encouraging more ambitious projects. Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman’s historic double win inspires a new generation of actresses to embrace versatility. Regional indigenous wins celebrate linguistic and cultural diversity, strengthening pan-African connections.Social media buzzed throughout the night with reactions to wins, fashion, and emotional speeches.
The event reinforced AMVCA’s position as Africa’s premier awards platform, blending glamour with genuine celebration of craft.As the industry evolves with global streaming deals and international festival recognition, nights like AMVCA 2026 remind us that authentic stories remain the heart of great cinema. Congratulations to all winners — your work continues to light up screens and hearts across the continent and beyond.Whether you’re a film buff, aspiring creator, or simply love Nollywood, AMVCA 2026 delivered a night to remember. Which win surprised you the most? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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