12th AMVCA 2026: Bovi and Nomzamo Mbatha Host as Gingerrr and The Herd Lead Nominations
12th AMVCA 2026: Bovi, Nomzamo Host; Gingerrr, The Herd Lead

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) is underway tonight, celebrating the best of African cinema. Widely known as the African Oscars, this year's event features a new hosting duo and a competitive lineup that has generated buzz since nominations were announced in March.

Following a vibrant Cultural Night on May 8, where stars like Omowunmi Dada, Uzor Arukwe, and Stan Nze dazzled in traditional attire under the theme Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture, the main ceremony has begun. For the first time in over a decade, veteran host IK Osakioduwa has passed the baton. Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma takes over as host, alongside South African actress and humanitarian Nomzamo Mbatha, known for her role in Shaka iLembe.

The jury, led by veteran actress Joke Silva, faces a tough task. Two films, Gingerrr and The Herd, lead with nine nominations each across 32 categories. The competition is fierce, with winners being announced in real-time. Categories range from Best Digital Content Creator to Best Movie, with technical awards and fan-voted prizes.

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Best Digital Content Creator

  • Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
  • Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh – The Marriage List
  • Destiny Ogie Osarewinda – Leave To Live
  • Emmanuel Kanaga and 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

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)

  • Inside Job – Kamau Wandug'u, Joe Mahinda, and Barbara Njeri Maina
  • Sayari – Omar Hamza and 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 and 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 – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Alaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun
  • Aljana – Grace Yachat 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 – Our Memories – Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma

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 – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
  • Mother of the Brides – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
  • The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
  • The Low Priest – Femi D. Ogunsanwo
  • Bobo – Maurice Muendo

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

  • Nigerian Idol (S10) – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
  • Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
  • Chapa Chapa My Love – Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida and Gabriela Ueno
  • Out N About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
  • Undugu – Hatibu Madudu

Best Indigenous M-Net Original

  • Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
  • Kukoyi – David Akande
  • Undugu – Hatibu Madudu
  • Out N' About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah
  • Kampala Creme (S2) – Joel Ndugwa
  • The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
  • Mgbuka – Eze Izu

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 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 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 Art Direction

  • The Serpent's Gift – Zainab Oladipupo
  • The Herd – Omolade Abisola
  • Colours of Fire – Ajamolaya Bunmi
  • Aljana – Olatunji Afolayan and Gideon O Stephen
  • Suky – Victor Akpan
  • Inimba – Thabiso Senne

Best Documentary

  • Beyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack Salami
  • The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat – Louis Ejiofor
  • The People Shall – Mark Maina and Nick Wambugu
  • Not Addressing This Anymore – Huzzain Bello
  • BOU – Mwaka Gerald Remmy

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 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 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 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 [WINNER]
  • Something About The Briggs – Yolanda Okereke
  • To Kill A Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum and John Joseph Angel

Best Sound Design

  • My Father's Shadow – Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra
  • Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
  • Ben Made It – Vaughan Phillips
  • The Party – Tolu Obanro
  • Sebata (The Beast) – Vaughan Phillips
  • The Herd – Fisayo Adefolaju

Best Series (Scripted)

  • To Kill A Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
  • The Yard – James Kalu Omokwe
  • The Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
  • Inimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
  • Kash Money – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Benson

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 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 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 Editing

  • Cordelia – Kazeem Agboola
  • My Father's Shadow – Omar Guzman Castro
  • Landline – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere and Dele Doherty
  • 3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
  • Osamede – Winston Aig-Ohioma
  • To Kill A Monkey – Daniel Anyiam

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 and Rachel Dargavel
  • 3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar
  • The Serpent's Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
  • Behind The Scenes – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun

Best Series (Unscripted)

  • The Real Housewives Of Lagos S3 – Deola Art Alade and Darey Art Alade
  • Nigerian Idol S10 – Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
  • Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
  • Offair With Gbemi And Toolz – Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi and Toolz Oniru-Demuren
  • Out N' About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah

Stay tuned for more updates as the night progresses, with winners announced across all categories, including technical awards and fan favorites.