The 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) took place in Lagos on May 9, 2026, celebrating excellence in African film and television. The event brought together top actors, filmmakers, and entertainers for a night of glamour and recognition. Major productions such as My Father's Shadow, To Kill a Monkey, Colours of Fire, and The Herd won multiple awards across categories.
Colours of Fire won Best Costume Design, credited to Valerie Okeke, and Best Art Direction, awarded to Ajamolaya Bunmi. Best Makeup went to Hakeem Onilogbo for Warlord. My Father's Shadow earned Best Sound/Sound Design, with Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra receiving the award. The film also won Best Writing – Movie, credited to Wale Davies.
To Kill a Monkey won Best Cinematography, with Kabelo Thathe named the winner. MTV Shuga Mashariki won Best Writing – TV Series, with Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, and Makgano Mamabolo receiving the award. Best Digital Content Creator went to Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom for Leave To Live.
Lisabi (A Legend Is Born), starring Lateef Adedimeji, won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa). Inimba won Best Indigenous M-Net Original, credited to Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele, and Yolanda Ndhlovu. Nigerian Idol (Season 10), produced by Sulaiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder, won Best Unscripted Series. The Low Priest, created by Femi D. Ogunsanwo, won Best Scripted M-Net Original.
The Herd won Best Supporting Actress, though the recipient's name was not specified in the announcement. The red carpet featured high-profile fashion statements, with celebrity outfits trending across social media platforms. Fans described the 2026 AMVCA as one of the most competitive and star-studded editions in recent memory.
The Herd won Best Supporting Actress but the winner's name was not disclosed, creating confusion about recognition for individual performance. Awards meant to spotlight talent end up obscuring it when winners are unnamed. This raises questions about the value of the prize to the recipient. Viewers are left celebrating a film while the actor's identity remains invisible.
Editorial note: AI-assisted opinion, not established fact. Full disclaimer →
