The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has officially unveiled the nominees for its highly anticipated 12th edition, with Gingerrr and The Herd leading the pack with 9 nominations each.
The announcement was made live on Sunday, March 29, 2026, across Africa Magic channels and hosted by AMVCA-winning actor Chimezie Imo.
Also making strong showings were To Kill A Monkey with 8 nominations and My Father’s Shadow with 7 nominations
These films dominated major categories including acting, directing, cinematography, and writing, highlighting the strong storytelling and technical growth across African film and television this year.
The acting categories also featured both veteran performers and rising stars, including Sola Sobowale (Lead & Supporting categories), Uzor Arukwe, Lateef Adedimeji, and Genoveva Umeh (first Best Lead Actress nomination)
Voting for public categories opened 8PM, Sunday March 29, 2026, with winners set to be announced at the May 9, 2026 ceremony.
The 12th AMVCA features:
- 32 Categories
- 18 Jury-decided awards
- 11 Public-voted awards
- 3 Special recognition awards
The event is proudly sponsored by Don Julio.
Full List of 2026 AMVCA Nominees
Best Digital Content Creator
- Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
- The Marriage List — Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
- Leave To Live — Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
- The Rate Race — Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
- Luxury Koko — Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
- August Meeting Election — Steve Chuks
- Did I Just Hear Muah — Akwaman
Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)
- Bet I Love You
- Sebata – The Beast
- Ben Made It
- Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2
- Tlhaho Ya Mosadi
Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
- Inside Job
- Sayari
- Addis Fikir
- My Son
- Kimote
Best Short Film
- Rise
- Fleas
- Telephone
- Hussainin
- My Body, God’s Temple
Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Lisabi – A Legend Is Born
- Labake Olododo
- Aljana
- Olorisha
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
Best Lead Actor
- Mike Ezuruonye — Oversabi Aunty
- Lateef Adedimeji — Lisabi
- 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
Best Cinematography
- My Father’s Shadow
- To Kill A Monkey
- The Herd
- Finding Nina
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Stitches
- Gingerrr
Best Lead Actress
- 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 Director
- Akinola Davies Jr — My Father’s Shadow
- Tunde Kelani — Cordelia
- James Kalu Omokwe — Osamede
- Daniel Etim Effiong — The Herd
- Yemi Filmboy Morafa — Gingerrr
- Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi — 3 Cold Dishes
Best Movie
- Gingerrr
- The Herd
- My Father’s Shadow
- 3 Cold Dishes
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Behind The Scenes
Best Series (Scripted)
- To Kill A Monkey
- The Yard
- The Chocolate Empire
- Inimba
- Kash Money
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)
When and Where Is the AMVCA 2026 Ceremony?
The AMVCA ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, capping off a multi-day celebration of African film, television, fashion, culture, and music.
Voting for the public categories opened on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at 8 PM and will remain open until April 26, 2026, giving fans across Africa and beyond the opportunity to vote for their favorite nominees. You can vote here.
What Are Your Thoughts on the 2026 AMVCA Nominations?
Which movies, series, or performances are you rooting for this year? Did your favorites make the list, or were there a few surprise nominations that caught your eye? We’d love to hear your predictions and what you’re most excited to see when the winners are revealed in May. Let the countdown to Africa’s biggest night in film and TV begin!
