The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards has long stood as the premier celebration of African creativity, showcasing excellence across film, television, and digital content. Now in its 12th edition, the 2026 AMVCA nominations were officially announced on 30 March 2026, with the ceremony set for 9 May 2026 in Lagos, Nigeria. This year’s nominations reflect the vibrancy, diversity, and evolving talent across the continent, blending veteran performers, rising stars, and innovative storytellers.
The nominations cover 32 award categories, spanning films, series, technical achievements, digital content creation, and indigenous language films. They highlight both established talent and emerging voices, offering a full view of Africa’s entertainment landscape as it stands in 2026.
Below is a complete breakdown of nominees in every category, along with context for each segment.
Best Digital Content Creator (Audience Voted)
Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion – Elozonam Ogbolu & Genoveva Umeh
The Marriage List – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
Leave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom
The Rate Race – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
Luxury Koko – Maryam Apaokagi‑Greene (Taaoma)
August Meeting Election – Steve Chuks
Did I Just Hear Muah – Akwaman
These nominees represent the growing power of digital storytelling in African entertainment, blending creativity, humor, and audience engagement on multiple platforms.
Indigenous Language Films
Best Indigenous Language Film – East Africa
Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda & Barbara Njeri Maina
Sayari – Omar Hamza & June Wairegi
Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw
My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile
Kimote – Hassan Mageye
Best Indigenous Language Film – West Africa
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena‑Ajakpovi
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji
Labake Olododo – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Alaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa & Ladun Awobokun
Aljana – Grace Yachat Yakubu
Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina
Best Indigenous Language Film – North Africa
The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben Khalifa
The Delivery – Abdalla Ezyan
The Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
This Is Portsaid – Abdalla Ezyan
Artal Alhanin – Our Memories – Mohamed Awad & Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma
Best Indigenous Language Film – Central Africa
Mabanda – Kang Quintus
Safou: A Gift From Nature – Nyasha Makamba
Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown
The expanded indigenous categories underscore AMVCA’s commitment to celebrating Africa’s cultural and linguistic diversity.
Film Categories
Best Movie
Gingerrr – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga‑Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola & Onyeka Nnama
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn & Ladun Awobokun
My Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo & Rachel Dargavel
3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi & Ly Oumar
The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena‑Ajakpovi
Behind The Scenes – Funke Akindele & Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun
Best Director
My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr
Cordelia – Tunde Kelani
Osamede – James Kalu Omokwe
The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong
Gingerrr – Yemi Filmboy Morafa
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Best Lead Actor
Oversabi Aunty – Mike Ezuruonye
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji
To Kill A Monkey – William Benson
Grandpa Must Obey – Kanayo O. Kanayo
Bet I Love You – Khumbuza Meyiwa
Colours Of Fire – Uzor Arukwe
3 Cold Dishes – Wale Ojo
Red Circle – Femi Branch
Best Lead Actress
The Serpent’s Gift – Linda Ejiofor
To Kill A Monkey – Bimbo Akintola
The Lost Days – Ifeoma Fafunwa
Something About The Briggs – Ariyike Owolagba
Her Excellency – Sola Sobowale
Behind The Scenes – Scarlet Gomez
The Herd – Genoveva Umeh
Mother Of The Brides – Gloria Anozie‑Young
Best Supporting Actor
The Yard – Simileoluwa Hassan
Gingerrr – Lateef Adedimeji
Colours Of Fire – Gabriel Afolayan
To Kill A Monkey – Bucci Franklin
Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2 – Femi Adeboye
Red Circle – Lateef Adedimeji
Owanbe Thieves – Femi Branch
Behind The Scenes – Uzor Arukwe
Best Supporting Actress
The Herd – Linda Ejiofor
Oversabi Aunty – Olamide Kidbaby
Gingerrr – Bisola Aiyeola
The Covenant Series – Sola Sobowale
Aljana – Nadia Dutch
The Herd – Amal Umar
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Juliebrenda Nyambura
Behind The Scene – Funke Akindele
Best Writing Movie
The Herd – Lani Aisida
My Father’s Shadow – Wale Davies
Blackout – Ikenna Okpara
Cards On The Table – Shirleen Wangari
Gingerrr – Xavier Ighorodje
Suky – Isaac Ayodeji
3 Cold Dishes – Tomi Adesina
Best Cinematography
My Father’s Shadow – Jermaine Edwards
To Kill A Monkey – Kabelo Thathe
The Herd – Emmanuel Igbekele
Finding Nina – Daanong Gyang
The Serpent’s Gift – Emmanuel Igbekele
Stitches – KC Obiajulu
Gingerrr – Emmanuel Igbekele
Best Costume Design
The Serpent’s Gift – Mary Chukuma
The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 – Deola Art Alade & Darey Art Alade
Colours Of Fire – Valerie Okeke
Something About The Briggs – Yolanda Okereke
To Kill A Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum & John Joseph Angel
Best Make Up
Behind The Scenes – Mojisola Imam
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Gingerrr – Dablaq Artistry
Abanisete – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Warlord – Hakeem Onilogbo
Suky – Ruth Harcourt
Labake Olododo – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Art Direction
The Serpent’s Gift – Zainab Oladipupo
The Herd – Omolade Abisola
Colours Of Fire – Ajamolaya Bunmi
Aljana – Olatunji Afolayan & Gideon O Stephen
Suky – Victor Akpan
Inimba – Thabiso Senne
Best Sound Design
My Father’s Shadow – Pius Fatoke & CJ Mirra
Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
Ben Made It – Vaughan Phillips
The Party – Tolu Obanro
Sebata (The Beast) – Vaughan Phillips
The Herd – Fisayo Adefolaju
Best Score Music
My Father’s Shadow – Duval Timothy & CJ Mirra
3 Cold Dishes – Nissi Ogulu
Osamede – Chubb Okobah
Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
The Party – Tolu Obanro
MTV Shuga Mashariki – SoFresh
To Kill A Monkey – Oscar Herman‑Ackah
Best Editing
Cordelia – Kazeem Agboola
My Father’s Shadow – Omar Guzman Castro
Landline – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere & Dele Doherty
3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
Osamede – Winston Aig‑Ohioma
To Kill A Monkey – Daniel Anyiam
Best Documentary
Beyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack Salami
The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat – Louis Ejiofor
The People Shall – Mark Maina & Nick Wambugu
Not Addressing This Anymore – Huzzain Bello
BOU – Mwaka Gerald Remmy
Series Categories
Best Scripted Series
To Kill A Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki & Phillippe Benson
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele & Yolanda Ndhlovu
Kash Money – Grace Kahaki & Phillippe Benson
Best Unscripted Series
The Real Housewives Of Lagos S3 – Deola Art Alade & Darey Art Alade
Nigerian Idol S10 – Suleiman Kassim & Anneke De Ridder
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel & Jemma Ford
Offair With Gbemi And Toolz – Gbemi Olateru‑Olagbegi & Toolz Oniru‑Demuren
Out N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
Best Writing TV Series
The Wives – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa & Chiemeka Osuagwu
MTV Shuga Mashariki – Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila & Makgano Mamabolo
Our Husband – Xavier Ighorodje
Addis Fikir – Besufekade Mulu
Baba Oh – Temilola Balogun
The Party – Stephen Okonkwo
Gizat – Yednekachew Ayne
Best Indigenous M‑Net Original
Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele & Yolanda Ndhlovu
Kukoyi – David Akande
Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
Out N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
Kampala Creme (S2) – Joel Ndugwa
The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki & Phillippe Bresson
Mgbuka – Eze Izu
Key Highlights from the 2026 Nomination List
The 2026 AMVCA nominations showcase a dynamic mix of seasoned professionals and emerging talents, reflecting the evolving landscape of African cinema and digital content. One of the most notable trends is the blurring of boundaries between traditional film and digital storytelling, with digital content creators competing alongside established filmmakers.
Gingerrr’ and ‘The Herd’ dominated the major categories, earning 9 nods each across acting, directing, and technical craftsmanship. Following closely is ‘To Kill A Monkey’ with 8 nominations, while ‘My Father’s Shadow’ picked up 7 nominations across varied categories.
The Best Digital Content Creator category highlights how platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram have become vital spaces for storytelling, humor, and social commentary, giving fresh voices like Elozonam Ogbolu, Taaoma, and Destiny Ogie Osarewinda recognition on a continental stage.
The expansion of indigenous language film categories across West, East, North, and Central Africa signals a commitment to cultural preservation and regional representation. Films such as The Serpent’s Gift, Inside Job, and Mabanda are more than entertainment; they are reflections of local histories, languages, and traditions that now reach wider audiences.
Veteran actors and rising stars dominate the acting categories, with performances from Linda Ejiofor, Bimbo Akintola, Genoveva Umeh, and Lateef Adedimeji demonstrating cross-generational excellence. This mix of experience and fresh talent strengthens the depth of African storytelling, ensuring that complex narratives and relatable characters resonate with diverse audiences.
On the technical side, nominations in cinematography, sound, costume, and editing emphasize the professionalization of African filmmaking, showcasing meticulous craft that elevates each production. Films like My Father’s Shadow, Gingerrr, and The Herd exemplify how technical innovation complements strong storytelling to create memorable cinematic experiences.
Lastly, the recognition of scripted and unscripted series alongside traditional films highlights Africa’s growing presence in serialized storytelling, streaming platforms, and original content production. Shows like Inimba, The Yard, and Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa illustrate the continent’s ability to craft engaging narratives that reflect contemporary social dynamics while pushing creative boundaries.
These key highlights reveal that the 2026 AMVCA nominations are not just about awards—they are a mirror of African creativity, celebrating cultural authenticity, technical mastery, and the storytellers who are shaping the continent’s entertainment future.
