Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has spoken on the exclusion of certain films and actors from the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations. Appointed head judge for the 12th edition, Silva said the selection process involved a panel of skilled professionals who evaluated entries based on film craft and performance. The nominees were announced in March, with 'Gingerrr' and 'The Herd' leading with nine nods each, followed by 'To Kill A Monkey' with eight and 'My Father's Shadow' with seven.
Silva acknowledged that award processes are inherently subjective, despite the structured grading system used by two separate judging panels. She emphasized that final selections were based on aggregated scores, stating, "Hopefully, the prayer is always: may the best man win." Speaking to Guardian Life, she expressed surprise that some notable projects did not make the list, noting, "And yet, you see the quality of work. But it depends on the aggregate of scores that work got."
Actress Lilian Afegbai publicly voiced disappointment after missing a nomination for Best Supporting Actress despite her role in 'To Kill A Monkey', a film that received eight nominations. Silva maintained that winning performances require more than strong acting, saying, "It is how far, how much you have become the character. It is the character's becoming. It is in the believability of the character. You believe the character so much that you portray the character in such a way that those watching you believe it."
At the AMVCA 12 Icons Night on Thursday, Silva expressed pride in the volume and quality of entries, calling attention to the constraints under which Nigerian filmmakers operate. She said if the global audience understood these limitations, they would "salute us a million times over." She also challenged assumptions about Nollywood's audience, arguing the industry underestimates its reach and potential viewership.
