Organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards have unveiled the full list of nominees for the 12th edition, with the main event scheduled to hold on May 9.
Ahead of the announcement, veteran actress Joke Silva was confirmed as Head Judge for this year’s awards, taking over from Femi Odugbemi.
The 2026 edition features 32 award categories, including 18 jury-based awards, 11 decided by fans, and three special honours such as Lifetime Achievement and the Trailblazer Award.
In a move to broaden participation across the continent, organisers also introduced two new categories: Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa).
Strong competition across categories
This year’s nominations reflect a mix of established names and emerging talents across Africa’s film and television space.
In the acting categories, Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Adebayo, Uzor Arukwe, and Mike Ezuruonye all secured nominations in the Best Lead and Supporting Actor categories.
On the female side, stars like Sola Sobowale, Funke Akindele, Bisola Aiyeola, and Linda Ejiofor also earned nominations across various categories.
Films leading the race
Top contenders this year include The Herd, Gingerrr, My Father’s Shadow, 3 Cold Dishes, and The Serpent’s Gift, all of which picked up multiple nominations, including in the highly coveted Best Overall Movie category.
In the indigenous film categories, titles like Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, Labake Olododo, and Aljana are also in contention, reflecting the growing recognition of local language storytelling.
More than just awards
Over the years, the AMVCA — organised by MultiChoice — has evolved into one of the biggest platforms celebrating African film and television.
From actors and directors to writers and technical crews, the awards continue to spotlight the creativity shaping the continent’s entertainment industry.
With anticipation building ahead of the ceremony, fans and industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on who takes home the biggest honours on the night.
