The AMVCA has always been known for one thing at its core, rewarding films and television projects that actually stand out in storytelling, direction, performance, and craft. It’s not just about popularity; it’s about the projects that show real depth and execution. And this year’s edition made that even clearer, with My Father’s Shadow emerging as the biggest winner of the night, reinforcing what the AMVCA has always stood for.

The film didn’t just win one or two categories, it showed up across the biggest ones of the night, including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing, Best Music Score, and Best Sound Design. By the time the ceremony was wrapping up, it had become the reference point for the entire evening. If anything defined the tone of this year’s awards, it was how strongly My Father’s Shadow was recognized across multiple craft categories.

Then came one of the most unforgettable individual moments of the night, Linda Ejiofor.

Her win wasn’t just a highlight, it was historic. Taking home both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress on the same night is unprecedented in AMVCA history. It didn’t just trend; it stopped conversations entirely. It was loud, shocking, and instantly stamped as one of the defining moments of the entire ceremony.

But beyond the wins, the AMVCA this year also carried a sense of scale that you couldn’t ignore.

The room brought together a full spectrum of industry veterans who have shaped Nollywood for decades, like Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Joke Silva, sitting alongside rising actors, filmmakers, and content creators shaping the new digital era of African entertainment. It felt like a living archive of the industry’s past, present, and future all in one room.

Both Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale also received the Industry Merit Awards, a moment that honoured their long-standing contribution to African cinema and reinforced their status as pillars of the industry.

And then there was fashion, which honestly deserved its own category of conversation.

The red carpet turned into its own conversation entirely. It wasn’t just “best dressed” debates,  it was full-on visual storytelling. From Osas Ighodaro, who arrived in a striking iron sponge-inspired dress that immediately became one of the most talked-about looks of the night, to Queen Mercy Atang, who showed up in a bold bread-themed dress that instantly divided opinion online, as well as Eniola Ajao, who leaned fully into spectacle with a balloon-inspired outfit that kept social media busy for hours.

Stars like Uche Montana stood out not just for presence but for intent, especially on a night where she also took home the Trailblazer Award, marking one of the defining career moments of the ceremony. Another strong moment came from Lateef Adedimeji, whose film also walked away with two major wins, further cementing his growing presence not just as an actor but as a storyteller whose work is now being recognised at a high level within the industry.

But the night wasn’t just about appearances, it was about recognition across the continent.

The AMVCA leaned heavily into its African identity this year, with winners spanning across regions. From Central Africa’s Qang Quintus (Mabanda), to North Africa’s Our Memories – Artal Alhanin by Mohammed Abdulrahman Aldouma, East Africa’s Leul – Addis Fikir, and Southern Africa’s Tlhaho Ya Mosadi, led by Promos Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, and Promise Ramoroka, further reiterated that this is not a single-market conversation: it is firmly Pan-African in scope and direction.

On the series side, Out N’ About by Bruk Yibrah took Best Unscripted Series, while Inimba won Best Scripted Series, further strengthening the AMVCA’s continental storytelling reach.

Beyond the wins and fashion, the night also carried emotional and reflective weight.

A memorial tribute led by Purp (Anu Agosa), Nigerian Idol season 10 winner, shifted the atmosphere entirely, reminding everyone of the people whose work built the foundation the industry now stands on.

The AMVCA also made room for the future, with MTN awarding ₦5 million to Best Short Film winners Josh Olaoluwa and Orire Nwani, a moment that reinforced how seriously emerging filmmakers are now being taken.

And throughout the night, performances from Fave, Tiwa Savage, and BNXN kept the energy flowing, breaking the ceremony into moments that felt alive rather than staged.

Even outside the hall, the entertainment never stopped.

The red carpet looks, viral clips, and reactions immediately took over social media, turning the ceremony into a full digital experience that extended far beyond the venue itself.

And when you put it all together, these weren’t just highlights of the night, they were the defining moments of this year’s AMVCA. The fashion, the veterans, the newcomers, the continental wins, the historic individual achievements, and the cultural energy all collided in one space.

Because this year’s AMVCA wasn’t just an awards show.

It was a full African entertainment moment, loud, layered, and impossible to ignore.

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards was held on May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre, under the evolving partnership between Canal+ and MultiChoice, bringing together the biggest names in African film, television, and entertainment for a night of celebrating cinematic excellence and storytelling across the continent.

Hosted by Nomzamo Mbatha and Bovi, the ceremony opened with the Best Costume Design category, where Valerie Okeke won for Colors of Fire.
Among the biggest winners of the night was My Father’s Shadow, which secured five awards, including Best Movie, Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr., Best Writing Movie for Wale Davies and Akinola Davies, Best Sound Design, and Best Score/Music.

Colors of Fire also emerged as one of the night’s standout productions, earning three awards, including Best Costume Design, Best Art Direction for Ajamolaya Bunmi and Yakub Oladejo, and Best Lead Actor for Uzor Arukwe.

Similarly, To Kill a Monkey snagged multiple wins, taking home Best Cinematography for Kabelo Thathe, Best Editing for Daniel Anyiam, and Best Supporting Actor for Bucci Franklin.

In the acting categories, Linda Ejiofor earned two awards, winning Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.

Other major winners included Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) for Best Makeup for Lisabi, while MTV Shuga Mashariki won Best Writing TV Series.

The awards also celebrated storytelling across Africa’s indigenous language categories, with Lisabi winning Best Indigenous Language (West Africa), Leul Addis Fikir winning East Africa, Tlhaho Ya Mosadi taking Southern Africa, Our Memories, Areal Alhanin winning North Africa, and Mabanda emerging winner in Central Africa.

In television and digital categories, Inimba secured two awards for Best Indigenous M-Net Original and Best Scripted Series, while Nigerian Idol Season 10 won Best Unscripted M-Net Original. Out and About emerged as the winner of Best Unscripted Series, while Leave to Live by Sophia Chisom and Emmanuel Kanaga won Best Digital Content Creator.

The Best Documentary award went to Beyond Olympic Glory by Shedrack Salami, while Hussaini, by Josh Olaoluwa and Orire Nwani, won Best Short Film. MTN also rewarded the winners with a ₦5 million cash prize in recognition of their achievement.

Beyond the awards, the ceremony featured memorable performances from Fave, Tiwa Savage, and BNXN, while Purp (Nigerian Idol Season 10 winner)  delivered a moving memorial performance in honour of industry figures who passed away.

Veteran actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received the Industry Merit Award for their contributions to the African film industry, while Uche Montana was honoured with the Trailblazer Award.

Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, also addressed guests during the ceremony, commending Canal+ and the organisers for sustaining the platform and celebrating African creativity.

“If you don’t win tonight, you can win next year because it is not just about winning alone. Even being nominated is a big achievement,” he said, adding that the AMVCA would continue to grow bigger with each edition.

With its blend of entertainment, recognition, and cultural celebration, AMVCA 12 once again reinforced its position as one of Africa’s most prestigious platforms celebrating excellence in African film and television.

At the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), Interswitch, through its flagship brands Quickteller and Verve, once again reinforced its steadfast commitment to driving the growth of Africa’s creative ecosystem.

As a key sponsor of this year’s awards, Interswitch championed three major categories, each reflecting the depth, richness, and diversity of African storytelling. Quickteller featured as sponsor of the Best Music Score category, recognising the composers and sound designers who bring emotion and depth to visual storytelling, while Verve sponsored both the Best Writing in a Movie category and Best Writing in a TV Series category, spotlighting the writers whose narratives continue to shape culture, influence audiences, and elevate African content on the global stage.

Following a vibrant Cultural Day celebration at Federal Palace Hotel, the 12th AMVCAs held at Eko Hotel, bringing together leading actors, filmmakers, producers, and industry stakeholders from across the continent. Beyond the glamour and recognition, the event underscored a broader shift in the increasing global relevance of African stories and the growing economic potential of the creative sector.

For Interswitch, participation in the AMVCAs reflects a deliberate commitment to supporting platforms that not only celebrate talent but also empower it to thrive. Through its innovative technology and payment solutions, the company continues to enable the seamless flow of value, creativity, and opportunity across the entertainment landscape.

Senior executives from Interswitch were actively involved in the awards presentation, underscoring the company’s sustained support. Dr Cherry Eromosele, Executive Vice President, Group Marketing and Communications, presented the Best Writing in a Movie category award to Wale Davies for his work in the movie, “My Father’s Shadow” while Franklin Ali, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, presented the Best Music Score category award to Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra for their work in the same movie , “My Father’s Shadow”. The Best Writing in a TV Series Category award also sponsored by Verve was presented to Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, and Makgano Mamabolo for their work in the TV Series, “MTV Shuga Mashariki”.

Reflecting on the significance of the partnership, Eromosele highlighted the importance of storytelling both as a cultural force and an economic driver for the continent. She said:

“Platforms like the AMVCAs not only celebrate the creativity and resilience of African storytellers but also amplify the voices shaping how the continent is seen and understood globally. Our continued support at Interswitch reflects a deep commitment to enabling this ecosystem to thrive, by connecting creativity with the platforms, visibility, and opportunities it needs to grow.”

Beyond category sponsorships, Interswitch delivered engaging on-site activations across key moments of the AMVCAs, including the Cultural Day celebration and the main awards ceremony. These activations created immersive touchpoints that connected attendees with the seamless capabilities of Quickteller and Verve, demonstrating how technology continues to enhance lifestyle and entertainment experiences for modern consumers.

As Africa’s creative industry continues to expand in influence and economic value, partnerships between technology providers and creative platforms are becoming increasingly critical. In this context, Interswitch’s involvement in the AMVCAs signals more than brand presence; it reflects a broader commitment to supporting the people, platforms, and systems that sustain the continent’s creative momentum. As the curtains close on the 12th AMVCAs, one message remains clear; African storytelling is not only capturing global attention but also shaping a vibrant and fast-growing creative economy.