AMVCA 2026 Nominees FULL List Drops — See All the Stars, Movies & Shocking Categories Ahead of May 9

The highly anticipated Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has officially unveiled the complete list of nominees for its 12th edition, setting the stage for a thrilling award night scheduled for May 9, 2026.

This year’s edition promises to be bigger and more competitive, featuring 32 award categories, including 18 jury-decided awards, 11 audience-voted categories, and three special recognition honours such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards.

In a major development, veteran Nollywood icon Joke Silva has been appointed as Head Judge, taking over from Femi Odugbemi. The organizers have also expanded the awards with two new categories — Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa) — to boost pan-African representation and inclusivity.

AMVCA 2026 Full List of Nominees

Best Digital Content Creator

• Elozonam Ogbolu, Genoveva Umeh
• Akwaman
• Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
• Emmanuel Kanaga, Sophia Chisom
• Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
• Taaooma
• Steve Chuks

 Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

• The Serpent’s Gift
• Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
• Labake Olododo
• Olorisha
• Aljana

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)

• Inside Job
• Sayari
• Addis Fikir
• My Son
• Kimote

Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)

• Bet I Love You
• Sebata: The Beast
• Ben Made It
• Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2
• Tlhaho Ya Mosadi

Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa)

• The Omnipresent
• The Delivery
• The Hidden Voice
• This Is Portsaid
• Artal Alhanin: Our Memories

Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa)

• Mabanda
• Safou: A Gift From Nature
• Golden Spoon

Best Scripted M-Net Original

• Adam to Eve
• Mother of the Bride
• 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
• The Chocolate Empire
• Mgbuka

Best Short Film

• Fleas
• Rise
• Telephone
• Hussaini
• My Body, God’s Temple

Best Supporting Actor

• Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
• Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr / Red Circle
• Gabriel Afolayan – Colours Of Fire
• Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey
• Femi Adebayo – King Of Thieves 2
• Femi Branch – Owambe Thieves
• Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes

Best Supporting Actress

• Linda Ejiofor – The Herd
• Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
• Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
• Sola Sobowale – The Covenant
• Nadia Dutch – Aljana
• Amal Umar – The Herd
• Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki
• Funke Akindele – Behind The Scenes

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 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 Omokwe – Osamede
• Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
• Yemi Filmboy Morafa – Gingerrr
• Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes

Best Overall Movie

• Gingerrr
• The Herd
• My Father’s Shadow
• 3 Cold Dishes
• The Serpent’s Gift
• Behind The Scenes