As the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) takes place this Saturday, veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has shed light on why some actors and films did not secure nominations this year. Silva, who leads the judging panel for the 12th edition of the awards, addressed the topic in a recent interview, emphasizing the credibility of the nomination process.
The release of the nomination list sparked debates among film enthusiasts, with many questioning the absence of certain actors and productions. Speaking exclusively with Guardian Life, Silva explained that non-voting categories were evaluated by professionals with deep knowledge of film, craft, and performance.
“Well, there’s the panel of judges, people who are highly skilled, and they are people who understand film,” she said. She clarified that while voting categories are determined by the audience, non-voting categories are assessed based on skill and craft. “I did say in my speech that the awards, for the non-voting category, are not necessarily a popularity contest. It is more about craft. It is more about skill,” she added.
Addressing the criticism that often surrounds Nollywood award nominations, Silva noted that awards can be subjective. She explained that entries are graded by judges before the final list is compiled. “Well, I think awards, a lot of times, again, I will always say it, are subjective. And that is why we have a panel of judges. We have two sets of judges, so that, as much as possible, it is an aggregation of marks, because every film is graded. Hopefully, the prayer is always: may the best man win,” she said.
Silva admitted that even she was surprised by some omissions. “Now, there are some projects that I know of that even I was alarmed that they did not get a nod, not one nod. And yet, you see the quality of work and you are like, but this is…. But, it depends on the aggregate of scores that work got,” she remarked.
She also elaborated on what constitutes an award-winning performance, stressing that it goes beyond merely acting well. The actor must fully embody the character. “It is how far, how much you have become the character. It is the becoming of the character. It is in the believability of the character. You believe the character so much that you portray the character in such a way that those watching you believe it. They are talking of the character more than they are talking of you,” she explained.
Silva noted that such performances are challenging to achieve, particularly given the tight production timelines common in Nollywood. The 2026 AMVCA is scheduled for Saturday, with actors, filmmakers, producers, and other industry professionals expected to attend.
