- Actress Linda Ejiofor emerged as the biggest winner of the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, securing both Best Lead Actress (The Serpent’s Gift) and Best Supporting Actress (The Herd).
- Bucci Franklin clinched the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in To Kill a Monkey, beating out industry heavyweights like Femi Adebayo and Lateef Adedimeji.
- Despite her film Behind the Scenes grossing over ₦2 billion at the box office, Funke Akindele failed to secure a win in any of her four nominated categories.
The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) lit up the Eko Hotel and Suites on Saturday night, delivering a mix of predictable triumphs and shocking upsets.
Eko Hot Blog reports that Linda Ejiofor was the undisputed star of the evening, becoming one of the few actors to win both lead and supporting honors in a single night.
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Meanwhile, Uzor Arukwe solidified his status as a leading man by taking home the Best Lead Actor trophy for his performance in Colours of Fire.
The evening was not without its controversies, as the audience reacted with surprise to the shut-out of Funke Akindele.
Her record-breaking film, Behind the Scenes, entered the night with significant momentum but failed to convert its four nominations into wins.
In contrast, the film My Father’s Shadow took home the night’s most coveted prize: Best Movie. Other notable victors included the legendary Kanayo O.
Kanayo and Sola Sobowale, who both received Industry Merit Awards for their decades of contribution to African cinema.
Beyond the competitive categories, the AMVCAs served as a massive cultural celebration, beginning with a vibrant cultural night earlier in the week.
The main event showcased the growth of the continent’s creative economy, with awards going to digital content creators and indigenous language filmmakers.
Uche Montana was honored with the Trailblazer Award, signaling her rise as a future powerhouse in Nollywood.
As the stars head home, the conversation remains centered on the delicate balance between commercial success and critical acclaim in Africa’s largest film industry.
