Full List: ‘The Herd’, ‘Gingerrr’ dominate AMVCA nominations with nine apiece

The organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have released the nominations for the 12th edition, with The Herd and Gingerrr emerging as the most nominated productions, earning nine nods each.

The announcement was made during a live broadcast across Africa Magic channels, hosted by Chimezie Imo. Closely following the top contenders is To Kill A Monkey with eight nominations, while My Father’s Shadow secured seven, reflecting what organisers describe as a competitive year marked by strong storytelling and technical quality.

Several actors also stood out across categories. Sola Sobowale earned recognition in both lead and supporting roles, while Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji picked up multiple nominations. Genoveva Umeh also received her first nomination for Best Lead Actress, marking a significant milestone in her career.

Voting for audience categories opened on March 29 via the official AMVCA platform. This year’s awards will feature 32 categories, including jury-decided honours, public voting segments, and special recognition awards.

The ceremony is scheduled for May 9, 2026, and is expected to celebrate excellence across Africa’s film and television industry.

Best Digital Content CreatorDr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion – Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva UmehThe Marriage List – Destiny Ogie OsarewindaLeave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia ChisomThe Rate Race – Benedict Ehimare OriaifoLuxury Koko – Maryam Apaokagi-GreeneAugust Meeting Election – Steve ChuksDid I Just Hear Muah – Akwaman

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, Barbara Njeri Maina Sayari – Omar Hamza, June WairegiAddis Fikir – Leul ShoaferawMy Son – Isarito MwakalindileKimote – Hassan Mageye

Best Short FilmRise – Jessie J. RowlandsFleas – Jordy SankTelephone – Fimisinuola AdejonwoHussainin – Orire Nwani, Josh OlaoluwaMy Body, God’s Temple – Uzoamaka Power

Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-AjakpoviLisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef AdedimejiLabake Olododo – Iyabo Ojo and othersAljana – Grace Yachat YakubuOlorisha – Abiola Adeshina

Best Indigenous Language (North Africa)The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben KhalifaThe Delivery – Abdalla EzyanThe Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine AbdelwahedThis Is Portsaid – Abdalla EzyanArtal Alhanin – Mohamed Awad, Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma

Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa)Mabanda – Kang QuintusSafou: A Gift From Nature – Nyasha MakambaGolden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown

Best Scripted M-Net OriginalAdam To Eve – Lizz Njagah, Alexandros KonstantarasMother of the Brides – Rogba Arimoro, Bio ArimoroThe Yard – James Kalu OmokweThe Low Priest – Femi D. OgunsanwoBobo – Maurice Muendo

Best Unscripted M-Net OriginalNigerian Idol (S10) – Suleiman Kassim, Anneke De RidderUltimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel, Jemma FordChapa Chapa My Love – Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida, Gabriela UenoOut N About (Harar) – Bruk YibrahUndugu – Hatibu Madudu

Best Indigenous M-Net OriginalInimba – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, Yolanda NdhlovuKukoyi – David AkandeUndugu – Hatibu MaduduOut N’ About (Harar) – Bruk YibrahKampala Creme (S2) – Joel NdugwaThe Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki, Phillippe BressonMgbuka – Eze Izu

Best Supporting ActressThe Herd – Linda EjioforOversabi Aunty – Olamide KidbabyGingerrr – Bisola AiyeolaThe Covenant Series – Sola SobowaleAljana – Nadia DutchThe Herd – Amal UmarMTV Shuga Mashariki – Juliebrenda NyamburaBehind The Scene – Funke Akindele

Best Lead ActorOversabi Aunty – Mike EzuruonyeLisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef AdedimejiTo Kill A Monkey – William BensonGrandpa Must Obey – Kanayo O. KanayoBet I Love You – Khumbuza MeyiwaColours of Fire – Uzor Arukwe3 Cold Dishes – Wale OjoRed Circle – Femi Branch

Best CinematographyMy Father’s Shadow – Jermaine EdwardsTo Kill A Monkey – Kabelo ThatheThe Herd – Emmanuel IgbekeleFinding Nina – Daanong GyangThe Serpent’s Gift – Emmanuel IgbekeleStitches – KC ObiajuluGingerrr – Emmanuel Igbekele

Best Art DirectionThe Serpent’s Gift – Zainab OladipupoThe Herd – Omolade AbisolaColours of Fire – Ajamolaya BunmiAljana – Olatunji Afolayan, Gideon O StephenSuky – Victor AkpanInimba – Thabiso Senne

Best DocumentaryBeyond Olympic Glory – Shedrack SalamiThe Good x The Bad of Afrobeat – Louis EjioforThe People Shall – Mark Maina, Nick WambuguNot Addressing This Anymore – Huzzain BelloBOU – Mwaka Gerald Remmy

Best Score MusicMy Father’s Shadow – Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra3 Cold Dishes – Nissi OguluOsamede – Chubb OkobahGingerrr – Tolu ObanroThe Party – Tolu ObanroMTV Shuga Mashariki – SoFreshTo Kill A Monkey – Oscar Herman-Ackah

Best Writing TV SeriesThe Wives – Donald Tombia and othersMTV Shuga Mashariki – Annette Shadeya and othersOur Husband – Xavier IghorodjeAddis Fikir – Besufekade MuluBaba Oh – Temilola BalogunThe Party – Stephen OkonkwoGizat – Yednekachew Ayne

Best Writing MovieThe Herd – Lani AisidaMy Father’s Shadow – Wale DaviesBlackout – Ikenna OkparaCards On The Table – Shirleen WangariGingerrr – Xavier IghorodjeSuky – Isaac Ayodeji3 Cold Dishes – Tomi Adesina

Best Costume DesignThe Serpent’s Gift – Mary ChukumaThe Real Housewives of Lagos S2 – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art AladeColours of Fire – Valerie OkekeSomething About The Briggs – Yolanda OkerekeTo Kill A Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum, John Joseph Angel

Best Sound DesignMy Father’s Shadow – Pius Fatoke, CJ MirraGingerrr – Tolu ObanroBen Made It – Vaughan PhillipsThe Party – Tolu ObanroSebata (The Beast) – Vaughan PhillipsThe Herd – Fisayo Adefolaju

Best Series (Scripted)To Kill A Monkey – Kemi AdetibaThe Yard – James Kalu OmokweThe Chocolate Empire – Grace Kahaki, Phillippe BensonInimba – Siphosethu Tshapu and othersKash Money – Grace Kahaki, Phillippe Benson

Best Make-upBehind The Scenes – Mojisola ImamLisabi: A Legend Is Born – Adeola Thelma BamgboyeGingerrr – Dablaq ArtistryAbanisete – Adeola Thelma BamgboyeWarlord – Hakeem OnilogboSuky – Ruth HarcourtLabake Olododo – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

Best Lead ActressThe Serpent’s Gift – Linda EjioforTo Kill A Monkey – Bimbo AkintolaThe Lost Days – Ifeoma FafunwaSomething About The Briggs – Ariyike OwolagbaHer Excellency – Sola SobowaleBehind The Scenes – Scarlet GomezThe Herd – Genoveva UmehMother Of The Brides – Gloria Anozie-Young

Best Supporting ActorThe Yard – Simileoluwa HassanGingerrr – Lateef AdedimejiColours Of Fire – Gabriel AfolayanTo Kill A Monkey – Bucci FranklinAgesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2 – Femi AdeboyeRed Circle – Lateef AdedimejiOwanbe Thieves – Femi BranchBehind The Scenes – Uzor Arukwe

Best DirectorMy Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies JrCordelia – Tunde KelaniOsamede – James Kalu OmokweThe Herd – Daniel Etim EffiongGingerrr – Yemi Filmboy Morafa3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

Best EditingCordelia – Kazeem AgboolaMy Father’s Shadow – Omar Guzman CastroLandline – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere, Dele Doherty3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa OluseyiOsamede – Winston Aig-OhiomaTo Kill A Monkey – Daniel Anyiam

Best MovieGingerrr – Ope Ajayi and othersThe Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong and othersMy Father’s Shadow – Funmbi Ogunbanwo, Rachel Dargavel3 Cold Dishes – Martial Dansou and othersThe Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-AjakpoviBehind The Scenes – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun

Best Series (Unscripted)The Real Housewives Of Lagos S3 – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art AladeNigerian Idol S10 – Suleiman Kassim, Anneke De RidderUltimate Girls Trip: Africa – Graeme Swanepoel, Jemma FordOffair With Gbemi And Toolz – Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi, Toolz Oniru-DemurenOut N’ About (Harar) – Bruk Yibrah