AMVCA 2026: ‘My Father’s Shadow’ Dominates as Linda Ejiofor, Uzor Arukwe Shine
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) delivered a night of glamour and emotional moments as Africa’s biggest film and television stars gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, on Saturday.
Broadcast live across Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, the ceremony celebrated excellence in African film, television and digital storytelling, with My Father’s Shadow, Colours of Fire, The Herd and To Kill a Monkey emerging among the biggest winners of the night.
My Father’s Shadow had a standout outing, clinching the coveted Best Movie award alongside Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr, Best Writing (Movie) for Wale Davies, and Best Sound/Sound Design.
Actor Uzor Arukwe won Best Lead Actor for his role in Colours of Fire, while Linda Ejiofor made history as the night’s only double acting winner, securing Best Supporting Actress for The Herd and Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift.
In technical categories, Colours of Fire claimed Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, while To Kill a Monkey won Best Cinematography and earned Bucci Franklin the award for Best Supporting Actor.
The ceremony also made an unusual double presentation of its Lifetime Achievement Award, honouring both Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo, while actress Uche Montana received the Trailblazer Award.
Other notable winners included Lisabi: A Legend Is Born for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Nigerian Idol Season 10 for Best Unscripted Series, and Inimba, which won both Best Indigenous M-Net Original and Best Scripted Series.
AMVCA 2026 Winners & Nominees
BEST MOVIE
Winner: My Father’s Shadow — Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel
Nominees:
- Gingerrr
- The Herd
- 3 Cold Dishes
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Behind the Scenes
BEST DIRECTOR
Winner: Akinola Davies Jr — My Father’s Shadow
Nominees:
- Tunde Kelani — Cordelia
- James Kalu Omokwe — Osamede
- Daniel Etim Effiong — The Herd
- Yemi Filmboy Morafa — Gingerrr
- Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi — 3 Cold Dishes
BEST LEAD ACTOR
Winner: Uzor Arukwe — Colours of Fire
Nominees:
- Mike Ezuruonye — Oversabi Aunty
- Lateef Adedimeji — Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
- William Benson — To Kill a Monkey
- Kanayo O. Kanayo — Grandpa Must Obey
- Khumbuza Meyiwa — Bet I Love You
- Wale Ojo — 3 Cold Dishes
- Femi Branch — Red Circle
BEST LEAD ACTRESS
Winner: Linda Ejiofor — The Serpent’s Gift
Nominees:
- Bimbo Akintola — To Kill A Monkey
- Ifeoma Fafunwa — The Lost Days
- Ariyike Owolagba — Something About The Briggs
- Sola Sobowale — Her Excellency
- Scarlet Gomez — Behind the Scenes
- Genoveva Umeh — The Herd
- Gloria Anozie-Young — Mother of the Brides
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Winner: Bucci Franklin — To Kill a Monkey
Nominees:
- Simileoluwa Hassan — The Yard
- Lateef Adedimeji — Gingerrr
- Gabriel Afolayan — Colours of Fire
- Femi Adebayo — King of Thieves 2
- Lateef Adedimeji — Red Circle
- Femi Branch — Owambe Thieves
- Uzor Arukwe — Behind the Scenes
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Winner: Linda Ejiofor — The Herd
Nominees:
- Olamide Kidbaby — Oversabi Aunty
- Bisola Aiyeola — Gingerrr
- Sola Sobowale — The Covenant Series
- Nadia Dutch — Aljana
- Amal Umar — The Herd
- Juliebrenda Nyambura — MTV Shuga Mashariki
- Funke Akindele — Behind the Scenes
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Winners: Sola Sobowale, Kanayo O. Kanayo
TRAILBLAZER AWARD
Winner: Uche Montana
