The race for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) is officially in high gear following the nominee announcement on March 29. With the main gala set for Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos, the industry is buzzing over several high-stakes categories and historic “double-dipping.”
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Here is everything you need to know about the 2026 race:
1. The Power Players: Nominations Leaderboard
While several films performed well, three titles are dominating the conversation:
- Gingerrr: Leads the pack with multiple nods across the “Big Three” (Best Movie, Best Director, and major acting categories).
- The Herd: A critical darling that secured nominations for Genoveva Umeh and Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman.
- My Father’s Shadow: Dominating the technical categories, including Best Cinematography and Art Direction.
2. The Acting Races: “Double Duty” & New Blood
This year is notable for actors appearing in multiple categories, creating a “battle against themselves”:
- Lateef Adedimeji: Nominated for Best Lead Actor (Lisabi: A Legend Is Born) and Best Supporting Actor (Gingerrr and Red Circle).
- Sola Sobowale: The “King of Boys” is back, scoring nods for both Best Lead Actress (Her Excellency) and Best Supporting Actress (The Covenant Series).
- Genoveva Umeh: Secured her first-ever Best Lead Actress nomination for The Herd, signaling a major shift toward younger talent.
3. Category Spotlights
| Category | Top Nominees to Watch |
| Best Lead Actor | Lateef Adedimeji, Wale Ojo, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Mike Ezuruonye, Uzor Arukwe. |
| Best Lead Actress | Scarlet Gomez, Genoveva Umeh, Sola Sobowale, Bimbo Akintola, Linda Ejiofor. |
| Best Digital Creator | Taaooma, Steve Chuks, Elozonam & Genoveva Umeh, Sophia Chisom. |
| Best Movie | Gingerrr, The Herd, My Father’s Shadow, To Kill A Monkey. |
4. Major Changes & Jury
- New Leadership: Veteran actress Joke Silva has taken over as the Head Judge, succeeding Femi Odugbemi. She has emphasized that the jury-voted categories (18 out of 32) will prioritize “authenticity and technical precision.”
- Pan-African Expansion: Two new categories have been added this year: Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa), aiming to make the awards more inclusive across the continent.
