This weekend, all roads led to the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), one of the most prestigious award ceremonies on the continent, captivating audiences in over 50 countries. Since its inception in Lagos, Nigeria, on March 9, 2013, it has become one of the biggest entertainment shows in Africa.
The AMVCA is an annual award presented by Multichoice to recognize outstanding achievements in television, film, entertainment, and digital content creation throughout Nollywood and the entire African continent. The Cultural Day event on Friday night formally kicked off the series of activities preceding the Award Night on Saturday, held at the Eko Convention Centre, Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, and aired live across all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv.
Hosted by no other but one of Africa’s finest, IK Osakioduwa, this year’s ceremony holds particular significance as it marks a decade of honoring and showcasing the crème de la crème of talent across Africa.
Africa Magic is commemorating this year’s event with a special documentary, “AMVCA 10,” – a tribute to the ceremony’s role in elevating African storytelling. A trailer was released to whet the appetite of viewers ahead of the release of the full documentary.
Celebrating 10 Years Of Iconic AMVCA Fashion
Beyond celebrating filmmaking achievements, the AMVCA also recognizes fashion finesse. The AMVCA is known for its impressive red carpet displays, with celebrities from the African entertainment industry pulling out all the stops with their most glamorous outfits and leaving viewers and fans in awe of the latest fashion trends. There’s a whole category dedicated to honoring the best-dressed celebrities! In 2020, a new category, Best Dressed Male and Female, was introduced, adding an extra layer of glamor to the event. Last year, Big Brother Naija’s Beauty Tukura and influencer Enioluwa Adeoluwa won the ‘Best Dressed’ female and male categories.
The AMVCA is a testament to the tireless efforts of African fashion designers. Each year, the red carpet comes alive with designers showcasing creativity, giving room for their works to be seen and their skills shown to the world. These designers challenge outdated beauty norms as they dress celebrities in eye-catching outfits which sometimes stir a huge debate online.
At the first edition in 2013, Nigerian actress Genevieve Nnaji turned heads in a stunning white mermaid gown with a peplum top by Bridget Awosika. In 2023, Ghanaian model, actress, and film producer – Nana Akua Addo stunned in her 100% wearable art: a metallic silver Cary Santiago 3D Eagle dress matched perfectly to futuristic robotic goggles.
While some celebs deliver elegance and luxury, others bring a bit of drama to our screens. One of such designers who always leaves tongues wagging is fashion goddess, Toyin Lawani. Attesting to Lawani’s bold styles, Nigerian actress and a former Big Brother Naija contestant, Ifu Ennada, walked into the AMVCA 2022 wearing the most controversial outfit for the evening. The Blackdress featured several Blackmasks. Ifu Ennada ruffled more feathers when she claimed the dress cost $100,000.
Iconic looks at the past AMVCAs. Genevieve Nnaji (Source: Zikoko), Nana Akua Addo (Source: Bella Naija), Ifu Ennada (Source: Bella Naija)
This year was no different. It was a night of glitz, glamour, and triumph as the stars stepped out in their show-stopping outfits, ensuring all eyes were on them. From couture gowns to crisp tuxedos and custom-made looks, the men and women showcased a global fashion fusion with a unique African flavor.
Red carpet host Toke Makinwa was shimmering in metallics by Veekee James. Her dress looked like liquid metal in its full glory. First-time nominee Alexx Ekubo served hot looks in a three-piece suit from Rabesque~Rah-besk. When Nana Akua Addo shared photos of her look, it left many lamenting how the actress has never won the Best Dressed Female despite consistently serving drips and fashion statements at the award show.
Toke Makinwa (Source: Ladun Liadi News)
Controversies Trailing AMVCA Winner
Fans have been criticizing the AMVCA, with some expressing concern that the show has become nothing more than a popularity contest where the most popular person in a category wins the award instead of performers with outstanding acting skills. The criticism reached a peak last year when Osas Ighodaro won the award for Best Actress in Drama (Movie/TV series) in a category where Bimbo Ademoye, Ini Edo, Nse Ikpe-Etim, and Ini Dima-Okojie were in. Fans also disagreed over the emergence of Nollywood actress, Bimbo Ademoye, as a winner in the ‘Best Actress in a Comedy/ TV Series”.
Critics said the Best Actor/Actress awards should not be decided by public voting, and AMVCA organizers listened. Thus, unlike other years, these big categories—the Best Actor and Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Supporting Actress – will now be determined by the jury, chaired by veteran filmmaker and media scholar Femi Odugbemi, who is also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards (The Oscars).
2024 AMVCA Winners
Winning an AMVCA is such a huge honor now, showing everyone you’re one of the best in African film and TV, and it can boost your career. It has also become an avenue for fans to celebrate filmmakers and creators for their excellent performances. This year, winners emerged from 26 categories comprising 16 non-voting, nine audience voting categories, and recipients of two recognition awards – Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards.
Below is the list of AMVCA 2024 nominees and winners:
Best Makeup
- Over The Bridge (Francesca Otaigbe)
- Winner – Mami Wata (Campbell Precious Arebamen)
- Mojisola (Hadizat Gambo)
- Jagun Jagun (Hakeem Onilogbo)
- A Tribe Called Judah (Feyisayo Oyebisi)
Best Art Direction
- Blood Vessel (Victor Akpan)
- Winner – Over The Bridge (Abisola Omolade)
- Breath of Life (Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, Kelechi Odu)
- The BlackBook (Pat Nebo and Chima Temple)
- Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Tunji Afolayan)
- Mami Wata (C.J Fiery Obasi)
- Omen (Eve Martin)
Best Costume Design
- Over The Bridge – Demola Adeyemi
- Fumilayo Ransome – Kuti (Bolanle Austen- Peters, Ituen Basi, Folake Coker, Clement Effanga)
- Winner – Jagun Jagun (Lola Awe)
- Mami Wata (Bunmi Demilola Fashina)
- Breathe of Life (Daniel Obasi)
Best Writing TV Series
- Skinny Girl in Transit (Season 7)
- Wura (Season 2)
- Visa on Arrival
- MTV Shuga Naija
- Volume – Winner
- Masquerades of Aniedo
- Slum King
Best Writing Movie
- Breathe Of Life – BB Sasore
- Over The Bridge – Tosin Otudeko
- Fumilayo Ransome Kuti – Tunde Babalola (Winner)
- Jagun Jagun – Adebayo Tijani
- Afamefuna – Anyanwu Sandra Adaora
- ATCJ – Funke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh & Akinlabi Ishola
- Mami Wata – CJ Obasi
Best Sound Design
- Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
- Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
- Grey Jones Ossai (Blood Vessel) – Winner
- Grey Jones Ossai (Breath of Life)
- Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)
Best Editing
- Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
- Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
- Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
- Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere – Earth)
- Antonio Ribeiro (The BlackBook) – Winner
- Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)
Best Documentary
- Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
- Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? – Winner
- Empalikino (Forgiveness)
- The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
- Sowing Hope
Best Cinematography
- Mami Wata
- Blood Vessel
- Over The Bridge – Winner
- Breath of Life
- Jagun Jagun (The Warrior)
- Ijogbon (Chaos)
- Omen
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
- The Passenger
- Nana Akoto
- Apo
- Irora Iya – Adeniyi Joseph (winner)
- Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)
Best Digital Content
- National Treasure – Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
- Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner
- Hello Neighbour – Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina Idoko, and Jemima Osunde
- The Boyfriend – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
- Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
- Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo) – Winner
- Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan)
- Orisa (Odunlade Adekola)
- Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah)
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
- Where The River Divides
- Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) – Winner
- Wandongwa
- Nakupenda
- Itifaki
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
- Service To Heart
- Uncle Limbani
- Motshameko O Kotsi – Winner
Best Scripted M-Net Original
- Slum King – winner
- Half Open Window Magaret
- Itura James Kalu
- The Passenger Usama
- Magic Room Wikesi
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
- What Will People Say
- The Irabors’ Forever After
- Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives)
- Date My Family Zambia
- Royal Qlique (Season 2)
Best Short Film
- T’egbon T’aburo
- Broken Mask – Winner
- Eighteenth Year
- Man and Masquerades
- A Place Called Forward
Best Supporting Actor
- Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
- Ademola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) Winner
- Ibrahim Yekini (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
- Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
- Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
- Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
- Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)
Best Supporting Actress
- Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
- Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
- Bimbo Akintola (The BlackBook)
- Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) Winner
- Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
- Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
- Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Best Lead Actor
- Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) Winner
- Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
- Marc Zinga (Omen)
- Gideon Okeke (Egun)
- David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)
- Richard Mofe Damijo (The BlackBook)
- Adedimeji Lateef (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
- Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Best Lead Actress
- Segilola Ogidan (Over The Bridge)
- Lucie Debay (Omen)
- Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
- Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
- Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel)
- Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
- Kehinde Bankole (Adire) Winner
- Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Series (Scripted)
- Volume
- Wura (s2)
- Slum King
- Itura – Winner
- Chronicles
Best Series (Unscripted)
- Lol Naija (s1)
- Nightlife in Lasgidi
- The Real Housewives of Lagos
- Gh Queens (s2) – Winner
- Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (s1)
Best Director
- Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)
- Adebayo Tijani & Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)
- BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
- Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)
- C. J. Fiery Obasi ( Mami Wata)
- Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)
- Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)
Best Movie
- Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
- Breath of Life
- Over The Bridge
- Blood Vessel
- A Tribe Called Judah
- The BlackBook
- Mami Wata
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
- Grown
- Her Dark Past – Winner
- Somewhere in Kole
- Full-Time Husband
- The 11th Commandment
- Mfumukazi
Trailblazer Award
Chimezie Imo – Winner
Industry Merit award
Esther Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) – Winner
Richard Mofe Damijo – Winner
