Lights. Anticipation. Celebration. As the African film and television community looks toward another night of prestige and recognition, the nominees for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been unveiled — and this year’s list reads like a celebration of storytelling evolution on the continent’s screens.
The annual awards, regarded as one of Africa’s most influential entertainment accolades, spotlight the continent’s finest creative talents and productions from the past year. This year’s nominations reflect not just popularity, but artistic depth, technical craftsmanship, and narrative diversity — signaling how African cinema continues to grow in complexity, quality, and global relevance.
The headline news from the AMVCA 2026 nomination list is the commanding presence of Gingerrr and The Herd, each earning nine nominations, the highest for this edition. These two films stand out across major categories, including Best Movie, Best Director, and key technical achievements, underscoring their cinematic impact.
Trailing closely is To Kill A Monkey, which secured eight nominations, followed by My Father’s Shadow with seven nods — all signaling a vibrant year in African storytelling.
The nominees span 32 award categories, including 18 jury‑decided, 11 public‑voted, and three special recognition honours. This blend ensures both industry expertise and audience voices shape the outcomes at the ceremony, scheduled for May 9, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria.
In the acting categories, a compelling mix of established stars and rising talents has been recognised. Veteran actor Sola Sobowale received nominations in both lead and supporting roles, reaffirming her enduring influence in Nollywood. Meanwhile, Genoveva Umeh earned her first-ever nomination for Best Lead Actress — a milestone that reflects her growing stature as a performer with international appeal.
Other familiar names like Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji also scored multiple nods, illustrating how the nominees list bridges experience with fresh voices.
The AMVCA continues to evolve, expanding categories and celebrating indigenous languages and storytelling forms — an effort that amplifies diverse African narratives on screen. For instance, past coverage has showcased the awards’ Cultural Day and its emphasis on Africa’s rich creative heritage, setting the tone for meaningful recognition.
What It Means For African Film
The prominence of films like Gingerrr, The Herd, and To Kill A Monkey reflects a broader shift in African cinema — one that values technical excellence, layered storytelling, and cultural resonance. These films achieved not just critical recognition but commercial traction following their 2025 releases, demonstrating that African films can connect meaningfully with audiences at home and abroad.
As the continent’s filmmakers push creative boundaries, the AMVCA serves both as a celebration and a barometer of industry growth — inspiring new talent while affirming established voices.
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)