The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards was held on May 9, 2026, at the Eko Hotel and Suites Convention Centre, as part of the growing 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 presentation of the Best Costume Design award, where Valerie Okeke won for Colours of Fire.
Among the night’s biggest winners was My Father’s Shadow, which secured five awards, including Best Movie, Best Sound Design, and Best Music Score, while Akinola Davies Jr. won Best Director, and Wale Davies and Akinola Davies won Best Writing in a Movie.
Colours of Fire emerged as one of the night’s standout productions, with Valerie Okeke winning Best Costume Design, Ajamolaya Bunmi and Yakub Oladejo taking Best Art Direction, and Uzor Arukwe winning Best Lead Actor.
To Kill a Monkey emerged as another major winner, 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: Artal Alhanin winning North Africa, and Mabanda emerging as the 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 won Best Unscripted Series, while Leave to Live by Sophia Chisom and Emmanuel Kanaga won Best Digital Content Creator.
Beyond Olympic Glory by Shedrack Salami won Best Documentary, 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.
“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 with each edition.
Beyond the awards, the ceremony featured memorable performances from Fave, Tiwa Savage, and BNXN, while Purp, winner of Nigerian Idol Season 10, 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, 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 with each edition.
With its blend of entertainment, cultural celebration, and recognition of creative excellence, AMVCA 12 once again reinforced its position as one of Africa’s most prestigious platforms for honoring film, television, and storytelling across the continent.
