The landscape of African cinema is celebrating a new frontrunner as the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) officially unveiled its contenders. The Herd, a gripping crime thriller directed by Daniel Etim Effiong, has emerged as a dominant force, securing a staggering nine nominations. This recognition places the film at the very top of the pack, tied with the Lagos drama Gingerrr for the most nods this year.
The Herd has resonated deeply with both critics and audiences since its late 2025 release. The film, which explores intense themes of insecurity and kidnapping, earned its place among the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards 2026 nominees through a combination of stellar acting and technical precision. Director Daniel Etim Effiong received a nomination for Best Director, while the film itself is a top contender for the prestigious Best Movie award.
The acting ensemble of The Herd also saw significant love from the AMVCA jury. Genoveva Umeh secured her first-ever nomination for Best Lead Actress, while Linda Ejiofor and Amal Umar both earned spots in the Best Supporting Actress category. Beyond the performances, the film’s technical craftsmanship was highlighted with nominations for Best Writing (Lani Aisida), Best Cinematography (Emmanuel Igbekele), and Best Art Direction (Omolade Abisola).
The announcement, hosted by actor Chimezie Imo, kicked off a fiercely competitive awards season. While The Herd and Gingerrr lead with nine nominations each, they are closely followed by Kemi Adetiba’s To Kill A Monkey with eight and My Father’s Shadow with seven. With 32 categories in total—ranging from jury-decided awards to audience-voted honors—this year’s ceremony promises to be a comprehensive celebration of the continent’s creative economy.
The grand 12th AMVCA ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026, in Lagos. As voting opens for the public categories, the industry waits to see if The Herd can convert its massive nomination count into a historic sweep.
