![Hon. Festus Keyamo SAN arrives MMIA past 11:50 p.m. Feb 23 to lead oversight of Terminal 1 fire. Joined FAAN MD & team actively managing situation. Directed morning inspection Tuesday to guide restoration & confirm safety standards. Reaffirmed focus on passenger safety. Story: [link] #KeyamoMMIA #FireIncident #FAAN](https://fullcliphq.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mym-150x150.jpg "MMIA Fire: Keyamo Inspects Lagos Airport After Terminal 1 Blaze Disrupts Flights")
The organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have officially released the list of nominees for the 12th edition of the prestigious awards, scheduled to hold on May 9, 2026.
Veteran actress Joke Silva has been appointed Head Judge for this year’s ceremony, succeeding filmmaker Femi Odugbemi. Her extensive experience is expected to bring depth and credibility to the judging process across the 32 categories.
This year’s AMVCA introduces two new categories – Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa) – further expanding the awards’ commitment to celebrating Africa’s rich linguistic and cultural diversity in storytelling.
Major Contenders and Standout Nominations
The race for Best Overall Movie features strong contenders including Gingerrr, The Herd, My Father’s Shadow, 3 Cold Dishes, The Serpent’s Gift and Behind The Scenes.
In the acting categories, several stars received multiple nominations. Lateef Adedimeji appears in both Best Lead Actor (Lisabi: A Legend Is Born) and Best Supporting Actor (Gingerrr and Red Circle). Linda Ejiofor earned nods in Best Lead Actress (The Serpent’s Gift) and Best Supporting Actress (The Herd). Sola Sobowale is nominated for Best Lead Actress (Her Excellency) and Best Supporting Actress (The Covenant).
Other notable acting nominations include Bimbo Akintola (To Kill A Monkey), Kanayo O. Kanayo (Grandpa Must Obey), Genoveva Umeh (The Herd), and Funke Akindele (Behind The Scenes – Supporting Actress), the latter sparking discussion as she missed out on the Lead Actress category.
Veteran filmmaker Tunde Kelani received a Best Director nomination for Cordelia, marking a significant recognition for the cinema icon.
Pan-African Focus and New Categories
The introduction of dedicated Best Indigenous Language Film categories for North and Central Africa highlights AMVCA’s growing pan-African scope. In the West Africa category, films such as The Serpent’s Gift, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, and Aljana are in contention. East Africa features Sayari and Addis Fikir, while South Africa sees Bet I Love You and Sebata: The Beast among the nominees.
Eleven categories remain open for public voting through the AMVCA website, allowing fans to directly influence the outcome in key areas.
Behind the Scenes and Industry Buzz
Industry observers are already anticipating potential upsets, particularly in the technical categories such as Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Sound Design, Best Music Score, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, and Best Makeup.
The Best Scripted Series category includes strong entries like To Kill A Monkey, The Yard, and The Chocolate Empire, while unscripted series feature The Real Housewives Of Lagos, Nigerian Idol, and Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa.The nominations reflect a vibrant Nigerian and broader African film and television industry, with both established stars and emerging talents receiving recognition.
The 2026 AMVCA ceremony will be broadcast live on Africa Magic channels on May 9, promising a night of glamour, surprises, and celebration of African creativity.
As anticipation builds, fans and industry stakeholders are keenly watching to see which projects and performers will take home the coveted AMVCA trophies in what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
