The glitz and glamour of African cinema took centre stage on Saturday, May 9, 2026, as the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) unfolded at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos. Hosted by comedian Bovi and South African star Nomzamo Mbatha, the night celebrated excellence in film, television, and digital content across the continent. Widely regarded as Africa’s biggest film and TV awards, this year’s edition shone a powerful spotlight on bold storytelling, technical brilliance, and emerging talents under the theme of honoring craft and celebrating culture.
Major Highlights
- My Father’s Shadow emerged as the biggest winner of the night, sweeping five major awards, including the coveted Best Movie. Directed by Akinola Davies Jr., the semi-autobiographical drama (set against Nigeria’s 1993 election crisis) also made history as the first Nigerian film selected for Cannes’ official competition in nearly 80 years
- Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman made history by winning both Best Lead Actress (The Serpent’s Gift) and Best Supporting Actress (The Herd) — a rare double victory on the same night.
- Uzor Arukwe delivered a standout performance, clinching Best Lead Actor for Colours of Fire.
- Legends Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received Industry Merit Awards, while Uche Montana was honoured with the Trailblazer Award.
Key Winners – AMVCA 2026
- Best Movie – My Father’s Shadow – Akinola Davies Jr. (WINNER)
- Best Director – Akinola Davies Jr. – My Father’s Shadow (WINNER)
- Best Lead Actor – Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire (WINNER)
- Best Lead Actress – Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift (WINNER)
- Best Supporting Actor – Bucci Franklin – To Kill a Monkey (WINNER)
- Best Supporting Actress – Linda Ejiofor – The Herd (WINNER)
- Best Indigenous Language Movie (West Africa) – Lisabi (A Legend Is Born) – Lateef Adedimeji (WINNER)
Other Notable Wins:
- Best Costume Design: Colours of Fire – Valerie Okeke
- Best Makeup: Lisabi (A Legend Is Born) – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye (some reports vary)
- Best Sound/Sound Design: My Father’s Shadow – Pius Fatoke & CJ Mirra
- Best Cinematography, Best Editing: To Kill a Monkey
- Best Writing (Movie): My Father’s Shadow
Colours of Fire, To Kill a Monkey, and Lisabi also recorded strong multiple wins, making the competition fierce across technical and creative categories.
Red Carpet & Atmosphere
The red carpet was a fashion spectacle, with stars dazzling in elegant traditional and contemporary African attire. The cultural night preceding the main event further emphasised pride in African heritage and craftsmanship.
What This Means for African Cinema
The 2026 AMVCA reinforced Nollywood’s growing global influence while highlighting stories from across East, West, and Southern Africa. With My Father’s Shadow’s international acclaim and technical excellence on full display, the awards continue to push African storytelling onto the world stage.The night was filled with emotional acceptance speeches, tributes to veterans, and celebrations of fresh talent — a true reflection of the vibrancy and resilience of African film.
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