The Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards have announced the nominees for the 12th edition of the prestigious awards. The main ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2026. The announcement was made through a live broadcast on Africa Magic channels, hosted by award-winning actor Chimezie Imo.
This year's edition features a total of 32 categories, including 18 jury-voted awards, 11 audience-voted categories, and three special recognition awards. The new categories introduced to strengthen pan-African representation are Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa). The Head Judge for this edition is veteran actress Joke Silva, who succeeds renowned filmmaker Femi Odugbemi.
The nominations list includes a wide array of talents across film, television, and digital content. Notable names include Lateef Adedimeji, Femi Adebayo, Funke Akindele, Sola Sobowale, and Mike Ezuruonye, among others. Films such as Gingerrr, The Herd, My Father's Shadow, 3 Cold Dishes, The Serpent's Gift, and Behind The Scenes are competing for the coveted Best Overall Movie award.
The introduction of new categories at the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards is a significant step towards strengthening pan-African representation. By including Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa) categories, the awards are acknowledging the rich cultural heritage of North and Central Africa. This move is a testament to the growing diversity and creativity within Africa's entertainment industry. The fact that the awards are recognizing indigenous languages is a step in the right direction, but what's next? Will this recognition translate to more opportunities for African creators? The industry is watching.
