AMVCA 2026 Nominations Unveiled: Full List of Nominees Across 32 Categories
AMVCA 2026 Nominations: Full List of Nominees Revealed

AMVCA 2026 Nominations Announced: Full List of Nominees Across 32 Categories

The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) has officially unveiled its highly anticipated nominations for the 2026 edition, showcasing a diverse array of films, series, and digital productions that are shaping the evolving landscape of African screen culture. This year's nominations highlight the growing scale and regional diversity of the industry, with a total of 32 categories designed to honor excellence across various formats and languages.

Ceremony Details and Category Breakdown

The prestigious awards ceremony is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria. The nomination structure includes 18 jury-decided awards, 11 audience-voted honors, and three special recognition prizes, reflecting a balanced approach to recognizing both critical acclaim and popular appeal. Sponsored by Don Julio, the AMVCA continues to expand its continental reach, with dedicated categories for indigenous language films from West, East, North, and Central Africa.

Leading Nominees and Industry Trends

Blockbuster productions such as Gingerrr, The Herd, and My Father's Shadow are leading the nominations, appearing across major categories including Best Movie, acting awards, and technical fields. Their strong presence underscores their impact on the industry over the past year. Additionally, the nominations reflect the rising influence of digital storytelling, with creators like Mariam Spaokagi-Greene (known as Taaoma), Steve Chuks, and Elozonam Ogbolu receiving recognition in the Best Digital Content Creator category.

—
Wide Pickt banner — collaborative shopping lists app for Telegram, phone mockup with grocery list

Full List of Nominees by Category

Below is the comprehensive list of nominees for the AMVCA 2026 awards:

Pickt after-article banner — collaborative shopping lists app with family illustration
  • 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; 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.

Conclusion

The AMVCA 2026 nominations celebrate the vibrant and diverse talent across Africa's film and television industry, with a focus on both traditional and emerging formats. As the ceremony approaches, anticipation builds for the winners who will be honored in Lagos next May.