The countdown to Africa’s biggest night in film and television has officially begun. Organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) unveiled the full list of nominees for the 12th edition on Sunday, March 29, setting the stage for the main ceremony scheduled for Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos.
With 32 categories up for grabs, this year’s pan-African film awards promise fierce competition. Two films emerged as early frontrunners: Gingerrr and The Herd, each securing nine nominations across major categories including acting, directing, and technical craftsmanship. Close behind is To Kill A Monkey with eight nods, while My Father’s Shadow picked up seven.
This year’s edition marks a significant expansion for the awards, which first launched in 2013. Organisers introduced two new Indigenous Language categories, Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa), strengthening the awards’ commitment to pan-African representation.
“These additions reflect the AMVCA’s commitment to Pan-Africanism, cultural preservation, and equitable representation,” organisers stated, ensuring that Africa’s diverse linguistic and creative voices are celebrated on a continental stage.
Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has been appointed Head Judge for the 12th edition, succeeding Femi Odugbemi and bringing decades of industry experience to the role.
The acting categories feature a compelling mix of familiar faces and fresh talent. Nollywood veteran Sola Sobowale earned nominations in both lead and supporting acting categories, as did Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji .
Genoveva Umeh secured her first-ever Best Lead Actress nomination for her role in The Herd, positioning her as one to watch ahead of the awards night . Meanwhile, industry heavyweights like Linda Ejiofor, Bimbo Akintola, and Funke Akindele also earned nods across various categories .
Voting for the 11 audience-voted categories opened immediately following the nominee announcement on Sunday, March 29, at 8 p.m. Fans can cast their votes at www.africamagic.tv/amvca . The remaining 18 categories will be decided by a jury, alongside three special recognition honours for Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards .
The ceremony will be headlined by sponsor Don Julio, with additional backing from brands including Guinness, MTN, and Indomie . Since its inception, the AMVCA has generated over 30,000 jobs across the creative industry, spanning production design, screenwriting, and sound engineering.
With nominations now public, the race to May 9 is officially on. All eyes are on Lagos, where Africa’s finest storytellers will gather to celebrate another year of cinematic excellence.
