By Ibrahim Kegbegbe
The glamour, culture and creative brilliance of Africa’s entertainment industry came alive on Saturday night in Lagos as filmmakers, actors and content creators from across the continent gathered for the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), with My Father’s Shadow emerging as the biggest winner of the night.
Held at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, the annual ceremony once again reinforced the growing global relevance of African cinema, as industry stakeholders celebrated storytelling excellence, technical innovation and artistic creativity shaping the continent’s film and television landscape.
The highly celebrated film, My Father’s Shadow, dominated major categories, winning the coveted Best Movie award alongside Best Director for Akinola Davies Jr. The production also secured awards for Best Writing, Best Score/Music and Best Sound/Sound Design, making it one of the most successful projects in the history of the award ceremony.
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The Merit Newspaper reports that industry observers described the victory as a significant moment for contemporary African filmmaking, noting that the success of the movie reflects the increasing international recognition African stories are receiving on streaming platforms, cinemas and global film festivals.
In the acting categories, Uzor Arukwe delivered one of the night’s biggest surprises after clinching the Best Lead Actor award for his performance in Colours of Fire. His victory came ahead of several established Nollywood stars and was greeted with loud applause from the audience.
Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman also enjoyed a remarkable night after emerging as Best Lead Actress for her role in The Serpent’s Gift. She further strengthened her dominance by winning Best Supporting Actress for The Herd, a rare achievement that positioned her among the standout performers of the 2026 edition.
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Bucci Franklin was named Best Supporting Actor for his performance in To Kill a Monkey, further highlighting the growing appreciation for intense character-driven storytelling within the African film industry.
Entertainment analysts noted that this year’s edition of the AMVCA reflected a shift toward productions with stronger narratives, improved cinematography and technically sophisticated sound and visual effects, indicating the rapid evolution of Nollywood and other African creative industries.
The ceremony, hosted by Nigerian comedian Bovi Ugboma and South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha, attracted notable personalities from across Africa’s entertainment, fashion and media industries. The red carpet session also generated massive social media engagement, with fans celebrating celebrity appearances, fashion statements and emotional acceptance speeches.
Beyond the glamour and celebration, the AMVCA has continued to serve as an important platform for recognising African creative talents and encouraging investment in the continent’s rapidly expanding entertainment economy.
Over the years, Nollywood has evolved into one of the largest film industries globally by production volume, while African productions continue to gain visibility on international platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and global film festivals.
Stakeholders within the industry believe that consistent recognition through platforms like the AMVCA will further inspire young filmmakers, actors, scriptwriters and producers to pursue higher creative standards capable of competing globally.
As the curtains fell on the 2026 edition, many attendees described the event as not only a celebration of entertainment but also a reflection of Africa’s growing cultural influence on the global stage.
