The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA 2026) held on Saturday, May 9, delivered one of the most glamorous nights in African entertainment history. The event brought together the crème de la crème of the African entertainment industry, with celebrities turning out in their finest attire to walk the red carpet.
Event Highlights and Venue
Held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos, Nollywood stars, filmmakers, producers, and digital creators gathered in their numbers to celebrate excellence in African cinema, television, and storytelling. The luxury venue was transformed into a glamorous cinematic arena featuring massive LED screens, gold-themed stage design, celebrity lounges, fashion media stands, and luxury sponsor installations.
The event kicked off with Icon's Night, followed by Cultural Night, which celebrated African cinema and its stars. The Cultural Night with the theme: 'Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture,' featured traditional attire from various African cultures.
This year's ceremony attracted top entertainers, filmmakers, influencers, politicians, and business executives from across Africa. It was filled with emotional speeches, standing ovations, unforgettable red carpet fashion, surprise victories, and historic wins that immediately dominated social media conversations across the continent.
Major Winners and Emotional Speeches
From Linda Ejiofor's double victory to Uzor Arukwe's heartfelt speech and the dominance of films like The Herd, Colours of Fire, and To Kill A Monkey, AMVCA 12 once again proved why the ceremony remains Africa's biggest entertainment awards platform.
Ejiofor stole the show, bagging two awards: Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress for her performances in The Serpent's Gift and The Herd, respectively. Uzor Arukwe also took home the Best Actor award for his role in Colours of Fire.
Other notable winners included Akinola Davies Jnr., who won Best Director, and My Father's Shadow, which clinched Best Movie. Lateef Adedimeji took home the Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) with his epic film, Lisabi: A Legend is Born.
Bucci Franklin won the Best Supporting Actor for his role in the movie To Kill A Monkey. The movie also won the Best Cinematography, which went to Kabelo Thathe. Ajamolaya Bunmi walked home with the Best Art Direction award for his creative ingenuity in the movie Colours of Fire.
Uche Montana was honoured with the Trailblazer Award, while veteran actors Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale received Industry Merit Awards.
Red Carpet Fashion
Like other global awards such as the Oscars and Golden Globe, fashion remained one of the biggest highlights of the evening at this year's AMVCA. The red carpet was abuzz with style and glamour, as celebrities showcased their unique fashion sense. From bold couture statements to elegant classics, the evening highlighted the creativity and charisma of Africa's entertainment industry.
Uche Montana, Tobi Bakre, and Osas Ighodaro were among the many stars who turned heads with their stunning outfits. Linda Ejiofor wore a dazzling emerald green couture gown with crystal embellishments and a dramatic flowing train. The outfit featured subtle African-inspired detailing and was widely praised online for its elegance and sophistication.
Funke Akindele turned up in a fitted black couture dress decorated with silver stones and layered textures, which many fashion critics described as classy and timeless. Ex-Big Brother Nigeria (BBNaija) star Bisola Aiyeola stunned audiences in a futuristic metallic silver gown with dramatic shoulder structures and glittering details.
Show host Nancy Isime appeared in a sculpted gold dress with flowing cape details that quickly became one of the most shared fashion looks on social media. It was not only a night for the female folks as the stars strut the red carpet stylishly. Uzor Arukwe wore a black velvet tuxedo with gold embroidery accents and polished black shoes, creating one of the night's most elegant male fashion appearances.
His counterpart Lateef Adedimeji and wife Adebimpe showed why they are a celebrity couple, as they attracted attention with coordinated royal Yoruba attire featuring luxurious embroidery, beads, and regal accessories.
Hosts and Dominant Movies
This year's award ceremony featured celebrity hosts and presenters from across Africa's entertainment industry. AMVCA switched things up for the first time since 2013, replacing longtime host IK Osakioduwa with the pair of standup comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha.
Movies rooted in African languages and traditions performed strongly across multiple categories. Several productions emerged as standout projects during the ceremony. The Herd, which received multiple nominations, won major acting categories, while Colours of Fire dominated technical and performance categories. To Kill A Monkey earned major recognition in cinematography and acting, while The Serpent's Gift became one of the night's most talked-about films following Ejiofor's victory.
The AMVCA is an annual event that recognizes outstanding achievements in African film and television. This year's ceremony was a testament to the talent and creativity of the African entertainment industry. As African cinema continues expanding internationally, AMVCA remains one of the continent's most powerful symbols of artistic achievement and storytelling excellence.
