Photo: Linda Ejiofor, one of the biggest winners of the night
By Oghenekevwe Kofi
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) delivered another glamorous celebration of African film, television and digital storytelling on Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. But beyond the glittering fashion, emotional speeches and celebrity sightings, this year’s ceremony also reflected the changing face of African entertainment, where streaming, indigenous storytelling and technically polished productions are increasingly taking centre stage.
Another major talking point of the night was the change in hosting duties. After years of being synonymous with the AMVCAs, longtime host IK Osakioduwa, was replaced by comedian and actor Bovi, whose energetic delivery and humour brought a different feel to the ceremony. The switch marked one of the biggest format changes in recent AMVCA history and immediately became a subject of conversation online, with viewers debating the fresh direction the organisers appear to be taking.
One of the biggest winners of the night was Colours of Fire, which dominated key technical and acting categories. The film won Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, while Uzor Arukwe’s commanding performance earned him the coveted Best Lead Actor award. Arukwe’s victory further cements his rise as one of Nollywood’s most dependable leading men after years of scene-stealing supporting roles.
Photo: The multi-talented Ibrahim Suleiman
Another standout production was My Father’s Shadow, which emerged as one of the biggest winners of the night. Beyond clinching Best Sound/Sound Design and Best Writing – Movie, the film also secured the prestigious Best Movie award, cementing its status as the evening’s defining production. The victories reinforced a growing industry trend: audiences and critics are no longer rewarding only star power or commercial popularity, but also technical depth, storytelling quality and cinematic craftsmanship.
The film’s triumph carried even greater significance because My Father’s Shadow had already made history internationally before the AMVCAs. The production gained global attention after becoming the first Nigerian film selected for the official Cannes Film Festival lineup, further underlining Nollywood’s growing international credibility. At the AMVCAs, that momentum translated into major wins, with the film standing tall as a symbol of how far African cinema has evolved in ambition, quality and global appeal.
Perhaps one of the most historic moments of the night came when Linda Ejiofor emerged as a double winner. She first won Best Supporting Actress for The Herd before later claiming Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift. In doing so, she became the first actress in AMVCA history to win both categories in the same year.
For years, Linda Ejiofor has quietly built a reputation as one of Nollywood’s most reliable actresses. AMVCA 2026 may well be remembered as the night she fully stepped into the elite league of Nigerian cinema.
The night also belonged to digital creators and younger storytellers redefining African entertainment beyond traditional television and cinema. Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom won Best Digital Content Creator for Leave To Live, a reminder that online creators are now commanding audiences that rival mainstream productions.
Reality television and unscripted entertainment continued their dominance with Nigerian Idol Season 10 winning Best Unscripted Series. The win was symbolic, considering the franchise’s enduring popularity and its role in shaping contemporary Nigerian pop culture.
Photo: Actress Osas Ighodaro
Meanwhile, indigenous storytelling remained a major force at the AMVCAs. Lisabi: A Legend Is Born won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), continuing Nollywood’s renewed embrace of culturally rooted epics and traditional narratives. In recent years, audiences have shown increasing appetite for stories told in local languages and grounded in African history, folklore and identity.
The Trailblazer Award went to Uche Montana, recognising her growing influence and impressive body of work in the industry. Veteran actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades-long contributions to African cinema. Their recognition drew loud applause from attendees, many of whom grew up watching their iconic performances.
Still, the AMVCA 2026 was not without surprises. Some heavily fancied productions went home empty-handed, while a few fan favourites lost out in major acting categories. Funke Akindele’s loss in the Best Supporting Actress category generated immediate reactions online, especially after Linda Ejiofor’s win for The Herd.
Yet that unpredictability is part of what continues to make the AMVCAs relevant. The awards remain one of the few platforms capable of bringing together the continent’s diverse entertainment industries under one roof while sparking debates about performance, artistry and cultural impact.
More importantly, this year’s winners reflected an industry increasingly prioritising quality production, authentic African stories and technical excellence. Nollywood and the wider African film ecosystem are evolving rapidly, and AMVCA 2026 served as another reminder that the continent’s storytellers are no longer merely chasing local relevance. They are building a globally competitive creative industry.
Full List of AMVCA 2026 Winners
Lifetime Achievement Awards – Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo
Best Movie – My Father’s Shadow
Best Costume Design – Colours of Fire
Best Makeup – Warlord
Best Sound/Sound Design – My Father’s Shadow
Best Writing – TV Series – MTV Shuga Mashariki
Best Art Direction – Colours of Fire
Best Writing – Movie – My Father’s Shadow
Best Cinematography – To Kill A Monkey
Best Digital Content Creator – Leave To Live
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Inimba
Best Unscripted Series – Nigerian Idol Season 10
Best Scripted M-Net Original – The Low Priest
Best Supporting Actress – Linda Ejiofor (The Herd)
Best Supporting Actor – Bucci Franklin (To Kill a Monkey)
Best Lead Actress – Linda Ejiofor (The Serpent’s Gift)
Best Lead Actor – Uzor Arukwe (Colours of Fire)
Trailblazer Award – Uche Montana
