The glitz, glamour, and grandeur of African cinema took center stage at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos as the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) celebrated another year of exceptional storytelling, artistic brilliance, and unforgettable performances from across the continent.
The star-studded ceremony which was recently held, honored excellence in film and television, with Lisabi: The Uprising and Seven Doors emerging as the night’s top winners. The two films not only dominated their respective categories but also underscored the depth of talent and creativity flourishing in African cinema today.
Big Wins for Lisabi and Seven Doors
Lisabi: The Uprising , directed by Femi Adebayo and co-directed by Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo, took home the coveted Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) award. The historical epic was further recognized with accolades for Best Art Direction and a nomination in the Best Movie category.
Meanwhile, Seven Doors , also directed by Femi Adebayo, proved to be a powerhouse at the event. The film scooped Best Lead Actor for Femi Adebayo himself, Best Lead Actress for Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha, and was acknowledged for its technical excellence in Sound/Sound Design and Costume Design .
Trailblazer Honors Kayode Kasum
One of the most emotional moments of the evening came when director Kayode Kasum was presented with the Trailblazer Award , recognizing his contributions to elevating Nollywood’s global standing. The honor was met with thunderous applause and surprise from viewers tuning in from across Africa and beyond.
Fresh Faces Make History
First-time nominee Blessing Uzzi made waves by winning both Best Writing in a Movie and Best Movie for her work on Freedom Way . Another newcomer, Awam Amkpa , received the Best Director award for his adaptation of Wole Soyinka’s memoir, The Man Died , proving that fresh voices are making bold impacts in the industry.
Technical Excellence Recognized
Technical mastery was celebrated throughout the night. Inkabi won Best Editing , while The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos took Best Cinematography . Suspicion earned recognition for Best Sound/Sound Design , and Seven Doors was awarded for its Original Score .
Supporting Roles Steal the Spotlight
Supporting actors shone brightly this year. Mercy Aigbe won Best Supporting Actress for her role in Farmer’s Bride , while Gabriel Afolayan captured Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Inside Life .
Other Standouts
- Best Short Film went to Brukaci .
- The Industry Merit Award was jointly presented to veteran actors Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’Azu .
- In television, Clarence Peters’ Inside Life won Best Scripted Series , while Wa Milele? (Forever?) claimed the Best Unscripted Series title.
- Yen Ara Asaase Ni won Best Documentary, beating out strong competition including Dundun and Women of Salt .
Full Highlights:
Top Winners
- Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa): Lisabi: The Uprising
- Best Lead Actor: Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
- Best Lead Actress: Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
- Best Movie: Freedom Way
- Trailblazer Award: Kayode Kasum
- Best Director: Awam Amkpa – The Man Died
Creative & Technical Excellence
- Best Editing: Inkabi – Tongai Furusa
- Best Cinematography: The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos – Leo Purman
- Best Sound/Sound Design: Suspicion – Michael Botha, Olaosebikan Okonrende
- Best Score/Music: Seven Doors – Tolu Obanro
- Best Art Direction: Lisabi: The Uprising – Soliu Badu, Ayanmo Yakub
- Best Costume Design: Christmas In Lagos – Adedamola Adeyemi
- Best Makeup: Lisabi: The Uprising – Hakeem Onilogbo
Television Triumphs
- Best Scripted Series: Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
- Best Unscripted Series: Wa Milele? (Forever?)
- Best M-Net Original Scripted: My Fairytale Wedding
- Best Indigenous M-Net Original: Show Me The Way
As the curtains closed on another unforgettable AMVCA night, one thing was clear — African storytelling continues to evolve, inspire, and captivate audiences around the world. With rising stars, seasoned legends, and groundbreaking projects taking the spotlight, the future of African entertainment has never looked brighter.
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