The highly anticipated Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has officially unveiled the complete list of nominees for its 12th edition, setting the stage for a thrilling award night scheduled for May 9, 2026.
This year’s edition promises to be bigger and more competitive, featuring 32 award categories, including 18 jury-decided awards, 11 audience-voted categories, and three special recognition honours such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards.
In a major development, veteran Nollywood icon Joke Silva has been appointed as Head Judge, taking over from Femi Odugbemi. The organizers have also expanded the awards with two new categories — Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa) — to boost pan-African representation and inclusivity.
AMVCA 2026 Full List of Nominees
Best Digital Content Creator
- Elozonam Ogbolu, Genoveva Umeh
- Akwaman
- Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
- Emmanuel Kanaga, Sophia Chisom
- Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
- Taaooma
- Steve Chuks
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
- Labake Olododo
- Olorisha
- Aljana
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
- Inside Job
- Sayari
- Addis Fikir
- My Son
- Kimote
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
- Bet I Love You
- Sebata: The Beast
- Ben Made It
- Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2
- Tlhaho Ya Mosadi
Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
- The Omnipresent
- The Delivery
- The Hidden Voice
- This Is Portsaid
- Artal Alhanin: Our Memories
Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
- Mabanda
- Safou: A Gift From Nature
- Golden Spoon
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
Best Short Film
- Fleas
- Rise
- Telephone
- Hussaini
- My Body, God’s Temple
Best Supporting Actor
- Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
- Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr / Red Circle
- Gabriel Afolayan – Colours Of Fire
- Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey
- Femi Adebayo – King Of Thieves 2
- Femi Branch – Owambe Thieves
- Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes
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
Best Lead Actor
- Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty
- Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi
- 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 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 Director
- Akinola Davies Jr. – My Father’s Shadow
- Tunde Kelani – Cordelia
- James Omokwe – Osamede
- Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
- Yemi Filmboy Morafa – Gingerrr
- Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Best Overall Movie
- Gingerrr
- The Herd
- My Father’s Shadow
- 3 Cold Dishes
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Behind The Scenes
