The organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have unveiled the nominees for the 12th edition of the prestigious ceremony, with Gingerrr and The Herd emerging as the leading contenders, securing nine nominations each.
The nominations were announced on Sunday during a live broadcast across Africa Magic channels, hosted by award-winning actor Chimezie Imo.
Trailing closely behind are To Kill A Monkey, which garnered eight nominations, and My Father’s Shadow with seven, highlighting what organisers describe as a strong year for African film and television, driven by compelling storytelling, technical excellence and diverse narratives.
Both Gingerrr and The Herd enjoyed commercial success following their release in late 2025.
In the acting categories, a mix of established stars and emerging talents earned recognition. Sola Sobowale received nominations in both lead and supporting categories, while actors such as Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji also secured multiple nods.
Genoveva Umeh earned her first-ever nomination for Best Lead Actress, positioning her as one of the standout contenders ahead of the awards night.
Voting for public categories opened at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, via the official AMVCA website. The awards feature 32 categories, including 18 jury-decided awards, 11 determined by public voting, and three special recognition honours.
The 12th AMVCA ceremony is scheduled to hold on Saturday, 9 May 2026, with expectations high for a celebration of excellence across Africa’s film and television industry.
In its 11th ceremony, Freedom Way won Best Movie, while Seven Doors dominated the acting categories. Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha clinched the lead acting awards, alongside other winners including Awam Amkpa (Best Director), Gabriel Afolayan and Mercy Aigbe (supporting roles), and Kayode Kasum, who received the Trailblazer Award.
12th Edition Nominees Full List
Best Digital Content Creator
Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion Elozonam Ogbolu & Genoveva Umeh – Situationally Transmitted Delusion Destiny Ogie Osarewinda – The Marriage List Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom – Leave To Live Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo – The Rate Race Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) – Luxury Koko Steve Chuks – August Meeting Election Akwaman – Did I Hear Muah
Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)
Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise Sebata: The Beast Ben Made It – Thabang Mathumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso Terra of Queens and Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – Naledi Galane et al.
Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u et al. Sayari – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile Kimote – Hassan Mageye
Rise – Jessie J. Rowlands Fleas – Jordy Sank Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo Hussainin – Orire Nwani, 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 – Iyabo Ojo et al. Aljana – Grace 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 – Mohamed Awad et al.
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 Mother of the Brides The Yard The Low Priest Bobo
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nigerian Idol (S10) Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa Chapa Chapa My Love Out N About (Harar) Undugu
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Inimba Kukoyi Undugu Out N’ About (Harar) Kampala Creme (S2) The Chocolate Empire Mgbuka
Best Supporting Actress Linda Ejiofor – The Herd Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series Nadia Dutch – Aljana Amal Umar – The Herd Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki Funke Akindele – Behind The Scene
Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born William Benson – To Kill A Monkey Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey Khumbuza Meyiwa – Bet I Love You Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes Femi Branch – Red Circle
My Father’s Shadow To Kill A Monkey The Herd Finding Nina The Serpent’s Gift Stitches Gingerrr
The Serpent’s Gift The Herd Colours of Fire Aljana Suky Inimba
Beyond Olympic Glory The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat The People Shall Not Addressing This Anymore BOU
My Father’s Shadow 3 Cold Dishes Osamede Gingerrr The Party MTV Shuga Mashariki To Kill A Monkey
Best Writing (TV Series)
The Wives MTV Shuga Mashariki Our Husband Addis Fikir Baba Oh The Party Gizat
The Herd My Father’s Shadow Blackout Cards On The Table Gingerrr Suky 3 Cold Dishes
The Serpent’s Gift The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 Colours of Fire Something About The Briggs To Kill A Monkey
My Father’s Shadow Gingerrr Ben Made It The Party Sebata (The Beast) The Herd
Best Series (Scripted)
To Kill A Monkey The Yard The Chocolate Empire Inimba Kash Money
Behind The Scenes Lisabi: A Legend Is Born Gingerrr Abanisete Warlord Suky Labake Olododo
Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift 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 Supporting Actor
Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr Gabriel Afolayan – Colours of Fire Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey Femi Adeboye – Agesinkole 2 Femi Branch – Red Circle Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes
Akinola Davies Jr – My Father’s Shadow Tunde Kelani – Cordelia James Kalu Omokwe – Osamede Daniel Etim-Effiong – The Herd Yemi Morafa – Gingerrr Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Cordelia My Father’s Shadow Landline 3 Cold Dishes Osamede To Kill A Monkey
Gingerrr The Herd My Father’s Shadow 3 Cold Dishes The Serpent’s Gift Behind The Scenes
Best Series (Unscripted)
The Real Housewives of Lagos S3 Nigerian Idol S10 Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa Offair With Gbemi and Toolz Out N’ About (Harar)