Entertainment
AMVCA 2026 Nominations List: Possible Surprises, Snubs
The AMVCA 2026 nominations list has stirred fresh anticipation across the African entertainment industry as audiences prepare for the unveiling of nominees for the upcoming Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Contents
Early expectations and potential surprises
New categories could introduce fresh contenders
Movies up for possible nominations
AMVCA 2026 Judges
Ceremony scheduled for May
Organisers of the awards have confirmed that the nominees for the 2026 edition will be officially announced on Sunday, March 29, making it another awards season for filmmakers, actors, and television creators across the continent.
The announcement is expected to spark major conversations across Nollywood and other African film industries, as fans and critics begin analysing the AMVCA 2026 nominations list for unexpected entries and possible snubs.
Early expectations and potential surprises
Even before the official reveal, discussions have already begun among film enthusiasts about which productions could dominate the AMVCA 2026 nominations.
Industry watchers believe that several films released in the past year may emerge as strong contenders for nominations in major categories such as Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Lead Actor. Big-budget historical epics, high-performing cinema releases, and popular streaming productions are widely expected to feature prominently.
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However, the awards have a history of delivering surprises once the nominations are announced. Lesser-known productions sometimes secure places in technical categories such as editing, sound design, costume, and cinematography, often drawing attention to emerging filmmakers and independent productions.
Observers say this pattern could repeat itself when the AMVCA 2026 nominations list is revealed, particularly as more African filmmakers continue to experiment with storytelling styles and production techniques.
New categories could introduce fresh contenders
Another element that may influence the AMVCA 2026 nominations list is the expansion of award categories for the 2026 edition.
Organisers have introduced new categories, including Best Indigenous Language – North Africa and Best Indigenous Language – Central Africa, a move designed to widen regional representation within the awards.
The total award count now stands at 32 categories, consisting of 18 jury-decided honors, 11 public-voted awards, and three special recognitions, including the Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement awards.
The introduction of these categories means productions from additional parts of the continent could secure nominations for the first time, potentially reshaping the usual lineup dominated by West and East African productions.
READ ALSO:AMVCA 2025: Iyo Prosper Edges Taaooma, Brain Jotter To Win Content Creator Award
Film analysts believe the expansion could lead to unexpected nominees appearing across the awards categories when the list is released.
Movies up for possible nominations
The official nominees for the 2026 (12th edition) AMVCA will be unveiled on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 7 PM WAT. To be eligible for this edition, films must have been broadcast or publicly screened between January 1 and December 31, 2025.
Based on industry predictions and high-performing releases within the eligibility window, the following movies are considered strong contenders for nominations:
Top contenders for the AMVCA 2026 nominations include high-performing 2025 releases led by the epic sequel Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, which follows the massive success of its predecessor.
Niyi Akinmolayan’s supernatural drama My Mother is a Witch and the culturally rich Ori Rebirth are also expected to dominate major categories.
Other strong candidates from the eligibility window include the box-office hit Reel Love, the meta-narrative Behind the Scenes, and critically acclaimed titles like Gingerr, The Herd, and The Masked King. These films are anticipated to compete for honors in storytelling, technical execution, and acting performance.
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AMVCA 2026 Judges
According to Nigerian Tribune, MultiChoice recently announced the appointment of veteran actress Joke Silva as the Head Judge for the 12th AMVCA edition.
As one of Nollywood’s most respected figures, Silva brings decades of experience to the judging process, ensuring a high standard of professional scrutiny for all entries.
The panel is responsible for deciding 18 of the 32 award categories, including technical and major non-voting categories
Ceremony scheduled for May
Following the release of the AMVCA 2026 nominations list, attention will shift to the awards ceremony itself, which is expected to take place in Lagos later on May 9.
The upcoming edition will feature dozens of award categories divided into jury-decided and audience-voted segments, alongside special recognitions such as lifetime achievement and trailblazer honours.
Until the nominees are revealed, however, speculation around surprises and possible snubs continues to dominate conversations among movie lovers across the continent.
With anticipation steadily building, the official announcement of the AMVCA 2026 nominations list is expected to trigger widespread reactions from fans, filmmakers, and critics alike.
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Entertainment
AMVCA 2026: Full List Of Winners
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, AMVCA, took place on Saturday evening at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos.
The awards celebrate excellence in African film, television and digital storytelling.
online.
Here is the full list of winners and nominees across all categories.
Best Supporting Actor
Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr
Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
Femi Branch – Owambe Thieves
Gabriel Afolayan – Colours Of Fire
Femi Adebayo – King Of Thieves 2
Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey – WINNER
Lateef Adedimeji – Red Circle
Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes
Best Supporting Actress
Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
Linda Ejiofor – The Herd – WINNER
Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
Nadia Dutch – Aljana
Sola Sobowale – The Covenant
Amal Umar – The Herd
Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Funke Akindele – Behind The Scenes
Best Lead Actor
Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
William Benson – To Kill A Monkey
Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty
Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey
Khumbuza Meyiwa – Bet I Love You
Uzor Arukwe – Colours Of Fire – WINNER
Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes
Femi Branch – Red Circle
Best Lead Actress
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift – WINNER
Bimbo Akintola – To Kill A Monkey
Ifeoma Fafunwa – The Lost Days
Ariyike Owolagba – Something About The Briggs
Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency
Scarlet Gomez – Behind The Scenes
Genoveva Umeh – The Herd
Gloria Anozie-Young – Mother Of The Brides
Best Director
Akinola Davies Jr.- My Father’s Shadow – WINNER
Tunde Kelani – Cordelia
James Omokwe – Osamede
Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
Yemi Filmboy Morafa – Gingerrr
Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Best Overall Movie
Gingerrr
The Herd
My Father’s Shadow – WINNER
READ ALSO:AMVCA 2024: Kehinde Bankole Wins Best Lead Actress Award[VIDEO]
3 Cold Dishes
The Serpent’s Gift
Behind The Scenes
Best Digital Content Creator
Elozonam Ogbolu, Genoveva Umeh
Akwaman
Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
Emmanuel Kanaga, Sophia Chisom – WINNER
Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
Taaooma
Steve Chuks
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
The Serpent’s Gift
Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – WINNER
Labake Olododo
Olorisha
Aljana
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Inside Job
Sayari
Addis Fikir – WINNER
My Son
Kimote
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Bet I Love You
Sebata: The Beast
Ben Made It
Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2
Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – WINNER
Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)
The Omnipresent
The Delivery
The Hidden Voice
This Is Portsaid
Artal Alhanin: Our Memories – WINNER
Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)
Mabanda – WINNER
Safou: A Gift From Nature
Golden Spoon
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Adam to Eve
READ ALSO:AMVCA 2026 Nominations List: Possible Surprises, Snubs
Mother of the Bride
The Yard
The Low Priest – WINNER
Bobo
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nigerian Idol S10 – WINNER
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Chapa Chapa My Love
Out N About (Harar)
Undugu
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Inimba – WINNER
Kukoyi
Undugu
Out N’ About (Harar)
Kampala Creme
The Chocolate Empire
Mgbuka
Best Short Film
Fleas
Rise
Telephone
Hussaini – WINNER
My Body, God’s Temple
Best Cinematography
Jermaine Edwards – My Father’s Shadow – WINNER
Kabelo Thathe – To Kill A Monkey
Emmanuel Igbekele – The Herd
Daanong Gyang – Finding Nina
Emmanuel Igbekele – The Serpent’s Gift
KC Obiajulu – Stitches
Emmanuel Igbekele – Gingerrr
Best Editing
Kazeem Agboola – Cordelia
Omar Guzman Castro – My Father’s Shadow
Wanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty – Landline
Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Winston Aig-Ohioma – Osamede
Daniel Anyiam – To Kill A Monkey – WINNER
READ ALSO:AMVCA 2025: Iyo Prosper Edges Taaooma, Brain Jotter To Win Content Creator Award
Best Sound Design
Pius Fatoke, CJ Mirra – My Father’s Shadow – WINNER
Tolu Obanro – Gingerrr
Vaughan Phillips – Ben Made It
Tolu Obanro – The Party
Vaughan Phillips – Sebata: The Beast
Fisayo Adefolaju – The Herd
Best Music Score
Shirleen Wangari – Cards On The Table
Xavier Ighorodje – Gingerrr
Isaac Ayodeji – Suky
Tomi Adesina – 3 Cold Dishes
Best Documentary
Beyond Olympic Glory – WINNER
The Good, The Bad of Afrobeat
The People Shall
Not Addressing This Anymore
BOU
Best Scripted Series
To Kill A Monkey
The Yard
The Chocolate Empire
Inimba – WINNER
Kash Money
Best Unscripted Series
The Real Housewives Of Lagos
Nigerian Idol – WINNER
Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
Offair With Gbemi And Toolz
Out N’ About (Harar)
Trailblazer Award
Uche Montana – WINNER
Industry Merit Award
Sola Sobowale – WINNER
Kanayo O. Kanayo – WINNER
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