By Sowore James
The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) lit up Lagos on Saturday night with a powerful celebration of African storytelling. It was a night defined by cultural pride, cinematic excellence, and emotional wins — with Nollywood’s Seven Doors and Lisabi: The Uprising claiming multiple awards across major categories.
A Royal Night for Seven Doors
At the heart of the evening was Seven Doors, a Nigerian historical drama directed by Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, and Tope Adebayo. The film, which follows a reluctant monarch haunted by a generational curse, won big with:
- Best Lead Actor – Femi Adebayo
- Best Lead Actress – Chioma Chukwuka
- Best Score/Music – Tolu Obanro
Adebayo, already known for his work in epic Yoruba cinema, gave one of the most emotional speeches of the night, receiving Chukwuka’s award on her behalf and dedicating the wins to the future of indigenous storytelling.
Lisabi: The Uprising Delivers a Statement
Lateef Adedimeji’s culturally grounded epic, Lisabi, was another standout, with wins in:
- Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
- Best Art Direction
- Best Makeup
Set against a backdrop of resistance and identity, Lisabi showcases the growing sophistication of Nollywood’s period films and their ability to merge history with cinematic craft.
Legends Honored, Fresh Talent Recognized
Beyond the red carpet glitz, the AMVCAs paid homage to the icons who shaped the industry. Veterans Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh received Lifetime Achievement Awards, while rising star Kayode Kasum was honored with the Trailblazer Award for his genre-bending work.
The diversity of winners — from documentary filmmakers to digital creators — revealed a vibrant, evolving industry that continues to push boundaries in storytelling.
Full List of Key Winners
- Best Supporting Actor – Gabriel Afolayan (Inside Life)
- Best Supporting Actress – Mercy Aigbe (Farmer’s Bride)
- Best Documentary – Dundun
- Best Movie – Freedom Way by Blessing Uzzi
- Best Director – Awam Amkpa (The Man Died)
- Best Scripted Series – Inside Life by Clarence Peters
- Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Zi M Uzo’
- Best Digital Content Creator – We Listen, We Don’t Judge – Bible Edition
More winners available via AMVCA’s official portal.
A Cultural Movement, Not Just Awards
While the AMVCAs remain an annual awards gala, they’ve also evolved into a cultural movement — one that amplifies African voices on global screens. From ancestral tales to modern digital content, this year’s edition reinforced the power of African creatives to shape narratives that resonate far beyond the continent.
