AMVCA 2026 nominees unveiled with new categories and top African films competing ahead of the May 9 awards ceremony

Organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards have unveiled the AMVCA 2026 nominees, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive 12th edition scheduled to hold on May 9.

Also read: AMVCA announces nominee reveal date for 2026 awards

The announcement comes weeks after the appointment of veteran actress Joke Silva as Head Judge, succeeding Femi Odugbemi, in what organisers described as part of efforts to strengthen credibility and diversity in the selection process.

This year’s awards feature 32 categories, including 18 jury-decided honours, 11 audience-voted segments, and three special recognition awards such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer.

In a notable expansion, organisers introduced two new categories for Best Indigenous Language Film in North Africa and Central Africa, signalling a bold push to deepen the awards’ pan-African reach.

Among the standout contenders, films such as Gingerrr, The Herd, and My Father’s Shadow secured nominations in the highly coveted Best Overall Movie category, while actors including Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Branch and Uzor Arukwe feature prominently across major acting categories.

In the Best Lead Actress category, industry heavyweights such as Bimbo Akintola and Sola Sobowale will compete alongside emerging talents, reflecting a dynamic blend of experience and fresh voices.

Digital creators were also recognised, with popular names like Taaooma earning nominations, underscoring the growing influence of online storytelling in Africa’s entertainment ecosystem.

The organisers said the expanded categories and diverse nominations highlight the evolving landscape of African film and television, with increasing emphasis on indigenous storytelling, technical excellence, and cross-border collaboration.

Also read: AMVCA 2026 Nominees set for highly anticipated live reveal

With anticipation building ahead of the ceremony, the AMVCA 2026 nominees list reinforces the awards’ status as one of the continent’s most prestigious platforms for celebrating cinematic excellence and creative innovation.