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Celebrating African Cinema: AMVCA’s Growing Influence in Global Entertainment

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AMVCA Celebrating African Cinema

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), often compared to the Oscars, has evolved beyond a simple awards ceremony into an influential platform boosting African cinema’s global visibility. As the 11th edition approaches, the AMVCA continues to highlight African filmmakers’ work, helping to position Africa’s cinematic output as a significant force in international entertainment.

Initially established to showcase Africa’s diverse storytelling traditions, the AMVCA has grown from a regional event into one of the most anticipated events on the global film calendar. This increased prominence reflects the growing recognition of Africa’s cinematic quality and originality. The AMVCA brings together a wide range of African filmmaking talents, enhancing the event’s global recognition. As African content expands on streaming platforms like Showmax, the awards provide filmmakers with access to broader international audiences.

While the comparison to the Oscars speaks to its prestige, the AMVCA’s true value lies in showcasing authentic African stories and talent. Celebrating both established and emerging creative voices, it creates a space where African filmmakers receive recognition for their contributions to global cinema. This is particularly important as African stories gain  traction on the international stage.

Recognition from the AMVCA extends beyond trophies, opening doors to new opportunities and global collaborations. Past winners have seen their careers blossom through international film festival invitations, co-productions, and global distribution deals. The award serves as a validation that elevates African filmmakers’ work to the international stage.

A key strength of the AMVCA is its recognition of the full spectrum of industry talent. The awards highlight not only actors and directors but also the technical experts- cinematographers, editors, sound engineers, costume designers, and music composers- emphasising African cinema’s diverse talent pool. The addition of the best music score category further acknowledges how original compositions enhance storytelling and emotional impact in African films.

As African films increasingly appear on global platforms and receive critical acclaim, the AMVCA has become an industry cornerstone. With its 11th edition approaching, the awards’ role in recognising and celebrating African cinema remains vital. By recognizing excellence across all filmmaking aspects, from visual storytelling to musical composition, the AMVCA provides a comprehensive platform for honouring the complete artistic vision behind each production.

The global entertainment industry is paying attention, and the AMVCA ensures that African cinema is not just part of the conversation but actively shapes it. This evolution from a regional awards show to a globally recognized institution demonstrates the growing influence of African cinema and the diverse talent emerging from the continent. Through categories like Best Music Score, the AMVCA continues to elevate all components that make African storytelling unique and compelling on the world stage.

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Netflix Walks Away from Warner Bros Deal After Paramount’s Huge Offer

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Interest in Netflix stocks

By Adedapo Adesanya

Streaming giant, Netflix, has backed away from its proposal to buy Warner Bros Discovery, clearing the way for Paramount Skydance to win the long battle for one of Hollywood’s most storied studios in a deal worth over $100 billion.

Warner Bros, which announced it was up for sale last year, said Paramount’s latest bid was “superior” to the one from Netflix, which in turn refused to raise its offer.

Paramount, which has been insistent regarding the deal, would also need approval from the US Department of Justice as well as European regulators.

Netflix executives say they have declined to match Paramount’s bid as “the deal is no longer financially attractive” at that price.

The buyer would gain control of the iconic studio along with its films and media networks.

The takeover has been touted to significantly reshape the global media landscape, which includes the streaming market.

Last December, Warner Bros agreed to a takeover offer from Netflix for some of its assets, in a deal worth roughly $82 billion, including debt.

Paramount then made a rival proposal, which was refused by Warner Bros, but an increased offer was made earlier this week, boosted by $1 per share.

“The transaction we negotiated would have created shareholder value with a clear path to regulatory approval,” Netflix co-chief executives Ted Sarandos and Greg Peters said in a statement. “However, we’ve always been disciplined.”

“This transaction was always a ‘nice to have’ at the right price, not a ‘must have’ at any price,” the Netflix executives added.

The announcement came just hours after Mr Sarandos had visited the White House on Thursday.

The development marks the possible end of the saga that saw offers and refusals and could possibly change the global streaming market as Paramount is backed by some of the biggest names in the industry, including Oracle owner, Mr Larry Ellison.

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Why Wildlife Shows Hook Us: The Allure of NatGeo Wild

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GOtv NatGeo Wild

There is something undeniably captivating about wildlife documentaries. The moment a predator locks eyes with its prey, the awe of seeing animals in their natural habitat, the thrill of nature’s drama playing out in real time. These are experiences that rein us in and refuse to let go. NatGeo Wild doesn’t just show the wild; it invites us to feel it, understand it, and marvel at it.

What is it about the wild that keeps pulling us back, no matter how many times we watch?

The Explorer in All of Us

At our core, we are wired much like the animals we watch. Curiosity drives us the way it drives a leopard to investigate a sound in the distance. Wildlife shows activate that instinct. We scan scenes like hawks from above, reading body language, anticipating danger, noticing subtle shifts in behaviour. In these moments, we’re more than viewers; we’re explorers, investigators, and sometimes even adventurers.

It’s a way to witness danger safely. A way to test our instincts and a way to connect with the power and beauty of the natural world, all from the comfort of home.

The Comfort of Nature’s Stories

Nature may be ruthless, but it is rarely random. Like a herd moving in rhythm or a pack operating with purpose, wildlife shows follow a structure we instinctively understand: predator and prey,  threat and escape,  loss and resilience.

Within a single episode, chaos settles into balance. Even in harsh environments, there is order just as there is in the wild. That predictability offers comfort, reminding us that survival follows rules, patterns, and rhythms older than humanity itself.

NatGeo Wild Shows That Keep Us Glued to the Screen

Over the years, NatGeo Wild has mastered the art of storytelling that moves like nature itself, quiet when it needs to be, explosive when it matters most. These are not just documentaries; they are immersive experiences that sharpen the senses and stir instinct.

Africa’s Deadliest

Step into the African wilderness, where survival is a daily contest of speed, strength, and strategy. Africa’s Deadliest introduces us to predators that hunt with the patience of chess players and the precision of seasoned warriors. From crocodiles lying in wait beneath murky waters to lions coordinating attacks across the savannah, each episode breaks down how instinct, timing, and dominance decide who eats and who doesn’t.

Wild, Smart and Deadly

Wild, Smart and Deadly is where brains meet brawn in the animal kingdom. This series delves into the intelligence behind nature’s deadliest hunters, showcasing creatures that use strategy, cunning, and sheer wit to survive. From octopuses escaping predators with mind-blowing tricks, to predators setting up elaborate ambushes, every episode reveals how survival in the wild is a high-stakes chess game. Watching it feels like witnessing nature’s most elite tacticians at work, where one smart move can mean the difference between life and death.

Born in Africa

In the wild, birth is only the beginning. Born in Africa follows young animals from their first breath into a world that offers no mercy. Every stumble, chase, and lesson learned is part of a race against time. From a giraffe learning to stand within minutes to lion cubs discovering the rules of dominance, the series captures vulnerability, growth, and resilience in its purest form.

Wild Mediterranean

The Mediterranean may look serene, but beneath its surface lies a battlefield of survival. Wild Mediterranean uncovers a world where predators hunt in crystal waters and creatures adapt to shifting coastlines and hidden dangers. From dramatic underwater pursuits to life along rugged shores, the series reveals a region shaped by adaptation, resilience, and quiet ferocity.

Hostile Planet

Here, nature shows no mercy. Hostile Planet explores environments so extreme they feel uninhabitable, yet life persists. Animals endure freezing tundras, scorching deserts, and violent storms, adapting in ways that defy belief. Every episode is a testament to resilience, revealing how instinct, evolution, and sheer willpower allow life to survive against impossible odds.

These shows captivate because they do more than entertain; they educate, inspire, and transport us into worlds we’d rarely get to see otherwise. Every episode is an invitation to explore, learn, and marvel at the wonders of nature.

Catch all these incredible wildlife stories on NatGeo Wild, GOtv Channel 100.

Subscribers can also enjoy more value with the We Got You offer, available until 28th February 2026. Pay for your current package and automatically get upgraded to the next one at no extra cost,  giving access to more channels, more shows, and more moments like these.

To subscribe, upgrade, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. You can also stream anytime with the GOtv Stream App.

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TikTok’s 2026 The Discover List Features Five African Creators

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TikTok’s Global The Discover List 2026

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Five creators from Sub-Saharan Africa have been featured in TikTok’s annual global The Discover List 2026, marking a standout moment for the region’s growing influence in the global creator economy.

They were among the 50 most influential creators shaping culture worldwide across five categories: Icons, Innovators, Foodies, Educators, and Originators.

From medical education in Lagos to culinary innovation in Nairobi and Cape Town, and from dynamic design studios in Johannesburg, African creators are not just being seen on the world stage — they are commanding it.

The Discover List 2026 reaffirms that TikTok is not only where trends begin, but where real opportunities take shape and creators turn influence into lasting impact.

The five TikTok creators from Africa featured were Tamia Nontsikelelo from South Africa, Cherie Kihato of Savannah Space from Kenya, Wayne Chang from South Africa, Olawale Ogunlana of HealthKraft Africa from Nigeria, and Trevor Were from Kenya.

Ogunlana breaks down complex medical conditions into clear, engaging videos, turning digital platforms into powerful tools for better health across the continent. He is also one of TikTok’s Sub-Saharan Wellbeing Ambassadors.

As for Chang, he is celebrated for his vibrant culinary content that blends diverse Asian cuisines with locally sourced South African ingredients, while self-taught chef Were transforms simple, everyday meals into exciting and accessible creations. He shares approachable recipes and cooking inspiration from his home kitchen.

Also, Kihato, a creative entrepreneur, showcases heritage through furniture, art and interiors. Through content creation, she has expanded her business beyond Kenya, inspiring a global audience of design lovers and aspiring creatives, while Nontsikelelo fuses storytelling and marketing on TikTok to build powerful, engaged communities around her modest fashion brand.

Commenting on the latest development, the Global Head of Content Operations for TikTok, Mr James Stafford, said, “At TikTok, we are committed to celebrating our inspiring creator community. Today, we are thrilled to unveil The Discover List 2026 — a highlight of 50 creators to watch from around the world.

“From the Educators who are inspiring their communities to learn something new, to the Originators who share their businesses with global audiences on TikTok, we are proud to be a space where new talent can be discovered, and authenticity and creativity can thrive.”

Business Post recalls that in 2025, Sub-Saharan African creators featured on the Discover List for the very first time, a milestone that unlocked unprecedented global visibility.

Those creators were spotlighted in international publications, including TIME Magazine and participated in major global moments such as Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity.

At Cannes Lions, Chef Abby (Abena Amoakoaa Sintim-Aboagye) from Ghana engaged directly with TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew and the Mayor of London, further amplifying her global presence. Building on this momentum, she was also nominated at the 2025 TikTok Awards in Sub-Saharan Africa, where she emerged as First Runner-Up in the Food Creator of the Year category.

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