The nominees for the highly anticipated 9th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) were unveiled on Sunday, April 16, 2023, showcasing the best of African talent in the film and entertainment industry. The event, organized by MultiChoice, promises to be a star-studded affair, with African filmmakers, actors, and writers taking center stage.
This year’s AMVCA has expanded its categories to include digital content creation, reflecting the growing influence of digital media in African entertainment. The nominations were rolled out across various categories, with some open for public voting and others to be decided by a panel of judges appointed by the organizers. This allows fans to have a voice in determining the winners, making the event more engaging and interactive.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place on May 20, 2023, in Lagos, Nigeria, a hub for the African entertainment industry. Hosting the AMVCA in Lagos adds to the excitement and significance of the event, as industry insiders and fans alike eagerly await the announcement of the winners.
Among the nominations, notable categories open for public voting include Best Actor in a Comedy, Best Actor in a Drama, Best Actress in a Comedy, Best Actress in a Drama, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Short Film. The nominees in these categories represent a diverse and talented pool of African actors, actresses, and filmmakers who have made a mark in the industry with their exceptional performances.
Some of the nominees for Best Actor in a Comedy include Adokiye Horsfall for “Romeo WJ,” Charles Etubiebi for “Just Friends,” and Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) for “Inside Life” and “Survivors.” For Best Actor in a Drama, nominees include Blossom Chukwujekwu for “The Trade,” Richard Mofe Damijo for “Four Four Forty Four,” and Tobi Bakre for “Brotherhood,” among others.
In the Best Actress categories, nominees include Bimbo Ademoye for “Selina” and “Anikulapo,” Ini Dima-Okojie for “Flawsome,” Mercy Johnson for “Battle On Buka Street” and “Passport,” and Nse Ikpe-Etim for “Shanty Town,” among others.
The Best Supporting Actor category features nominees such as O.C. Ukeje for “Brotherhood,” Taiwo Hassan for “Anikulapo,” and Yinka Quadri for “Anikulapo,” among others. The Best Supporting Actress category includes Dorcas Shola Fapson for “Man of God,” Sola Sobowale for “Anikulapo,” and Toni Tones for “Brotherhood,” among others.
The Best Short Film category features nominees such as Adeoye Adetunji for “Pa Aromire,” Gbenga Salu for “Convictus,” and Uzoamaka Aniunoh for “Love Language,” among others.
Additionally, the AMVCA has introduced a new category for Best Online Social Content Creator, which includes nominees such as Abiola for “VIP Bathroom,” Bimbo Ademoye for “Iya Barakat Teropi Secxxion,” and Edem Victor for “The Activist,” among others.
The nominees for the 9th edition of the AMVCA represent the best of African entertainment and highlight the exceptional talents of African filmmakers, actors, writers, and content creators. The anticipation is high as the African film industry prepares to come together to celebrate and honor outstanding performances at the upcoming AMVCA ceremony
Full List of Nominees
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Adokiye Horsfall (Romeo WJ) – Inside Life
Charles Etubiebi – Just Friends
Charles Inojie – City Hustler
Chinedu Ikedieze – Aki and PawPaw
Kunle Idowu – Unintentional
Nedu Ani (Nedu Wazobia) – Inside Life
Nkem Owoh – Battle On Buka Street
Nosa Afolabi – The Razz Guy
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Inside Life
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Survivors
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Trade
Chidi Mokeme – Shanty Town
Chimezie Imo – Choke
Daniel Etim-Effiong – Kofa
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
NKakalukanyi Patriq – Tembele
O.C. Ukeje – Black Mail
Richard Mofe Damijo – Four Four Forty Four
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood
Tope Tedela – All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY- (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Albert Oluwatoyin – Visa On Arrival
Bimbo Ademoye – Selina
Funke Akindele – Battle On Buka Street
Grace Wacuka – Married to Work
Mercy Johnson – Battle On Buka Street
Mercy Johnson Onogie – Passport
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Public Voting
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo
Enado Odigie – Flawsome
Immaculata Oko Kasum – Ile Owo
Ini Dima-Okojie – Flawsome
Ini Edo – Shanty Town
Nimo Loveline – The Planters Plantation
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Shanty Town
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Queen Nwokoye – Strained
Scarlet Gomez – Wura
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal
Bucci Franklin – The Razz Guy
James Webbo – County 49
Jeffroberts Walusimbi – Bedroom Chains
O.C. Ukeje – Brotherhood
Taiwo Hassan – Anikulapo
Yinka Quadri – Anikulapo
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Dorcas Shola Fapson – Man of God
Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four
Gina Castel – Kofa
Ivie Okujaye – On Your Own
Sola Sobowale – Anikulapo
Teniola Aladese – Love in a Pandemic
Toni Tones – Brotherhood
BEST SHORT FILM – Public Voting
Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire
Gbenga Salu – Convictus
Nkem Nwaturuocha – The Song Maiden
Teniola Zara King – Teju’s Tale
Usama Mukwaya, Loukman Ali – Sixteen Rounds
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Love Language
Victor Onwudiwe, Goodnews Erico Isika – Away
BEST ONLINE SOCIAL CONTENT CREATOR – Public Voting
Abiola – VIP Bathroom
Adeaga Bukunmi – Fake Alert with Mercy Johnson
Bimbo Ademoye – Iya Barakat Teropi Secxxion
Edem Victor – The Activist
Elozonam , Kie Kie – Back From The Future
Isbae U – My Sweet Mother In-law
Kenzy Udosen – Quick Pronunciations
Oluwadolarz and Abayomi Alvin – Soldiers at War (Compilation)
Steve Chuks – Husband’s Side Chic
Tee Kuro – Nollywood Epic Love Story Parody (The Finale)
BEST ORIGINAL TELENOVELA – Public Voting
Covenant
Dede
Huba
Itura
Mahinga
Maida
Mpali
Prestige
Salem
BEST UNSCRIPTED ORIGINAL – Public Voting
Come Play Naija
Judging Matters
Kan-See-Me
King Bugar
Off Air with Gbemi & Tools
Rock that Aisle Again
Sakofa
BEST ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES – Public Voting
Co-Habits
Flatmates
Mussulando
My Siblings and I
Njoro Wa Uba
Popi
RSM
The Johnsons
The Return of Original Comedy
Uncle Limbani
BEST ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES – Public Voting
A Infiltrada
Accra Medics
Dirty Laundry
Junior Drama Club
Njila
Pazia
Pete
Ricordi
The Rishantes
To Have and To Hold
Unmarried
BEST ART DIRECTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Olalekan Isiaka – Shanty Town
Olatunji Afolayan – Battle On Buka Street
Olugbenga Ogunshina and Joy Kadiri – Brotherhood
Pat Nebo & Temple Chima Adighije – Crime & Justice
Toka Mcbaror – Almajiri
Uche Nwaohiri & Tunde Lawal – Diiche
Wale Adeleke – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adeola Art-Alade – The Real Housewives of Lagos Reunion Episode
Bolanle Austen-Peters, Clement Effanga, Juliana Dede – Man of God
Bunmi Fashina , Tiannah Empire & Secrets of April – Shanty Town
Ezugworie Franca – Brotherhood
Kingsley Okoye Rex – Nnewi The Land of Gold
Millicent Jack – Four Four Forty Four
Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo
BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Francis Wanyahdeh – Crime & Justice
Francis Wanyahdeh & Ebuka Enejere – Diiche
Godwin Lawal – Tarella
Ismail Adewunmi – Ile Owo
Lanre Omofaiye – Anikulapo
Mathew Yusuf – Brotherhood
Muri Salami – Four Four Forty Four
Renaldo Van Den Berg, Emmanuel Patrick, David Otuokere – Real Housewives of Lagos
Segun Adeleke – Flawsome
Walter Odhiambo – Shanty Town
BEST PICTURE EDITOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Banjo Onyekachi, Winston Aig-Ohioma, Oluwaseun Adeosun – Diiche
Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom – Crime & Justice
Kimera Paul – Tembele
Martini Akande – Brotherhood
Sanjo Adegoke – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Steve Sodiya – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Temitope Folarin – Anikulapo
Valentine Chukwuma – Battle on Buka Street
BEST SOUND EDITOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Anu Afolayan – Anikulapo
Dare Olaitan, Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Fredrick Karumba – Click Click Bang
Grey Jones – The Set Up 2
Ismail Kyobe Ssebowa – Bedroom Chains
Kazeem Agboola – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Kolade Kayode Morakinyo – Shanty Town
Kolade Morakinyo, Pius Fatoke – Battle On Buka Street
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
Shiloh Godson – Black Mail
BEST SOUND TRACK – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abiola Olayinka, Habeeb Adebayo – L.I.F.E.
Adam Songbird and Tolu Obanro – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Gbas Gbos by Tolu Obanro and Adam Songbird – Battle on Buka Street
Jaysynths and Hotkid – Shanty Town
Joel Christian Goffin – Black Mail
Kent Edunjobi – Anikulapo
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
BEST MAKE UP – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Carina SFX – The Trade
Feyzo Artistry – Ile Owo
Francisca Otaigbe – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Anikulapo
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo, Jemila Sedik – Battle on Buka Street
Maryam Ndukwe , Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Shanty Town
Sandra Oyiana-Ogbeni – Tarella
BEST WRITER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Funke Akindele, Jack’enneth Opukeme, Stephen Oluboyo, Jemine Edukugho – Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Sodi Kurubo, Stephanie Dadet and Victor Aghahowa – Diiche (Episode 5)
Sola Dada – Anikulapo
Tunde Apalowo and Jeffery Musa David – Kanaani
Uche Ateli – Choke
Yinka Laoye – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Charles Oleghe
Diiche
Ekuka Ishaq
Tembele
Idowu Adedapo
Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Idowu Adedapo (Mr Views)
Flawsome
Jonathan Kovel
Shanty Town
Jonathan Kovel
Anikulapo
Loukman Ali
Brotherhood
Mex Ossai, Philip Okpokoro, Esmond Igho, KC Obiajulu, Goke Oyerinde
Real Housewives of Lagos
Paul Gambit
Jolly Roger
Yinka Edward
Crime & Justice
BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA
Elvis Chucks
Jewel
Emmanuel Mwape
Silver Lining
Leburugraphy
Ke Bona Spoko
BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA
Click Click Bang
Philip Karanja Njenga
Elenor Nabwiso
Karamoja
Gashumba Emmanuel
Dial M for Maya
Hassan Mageye
Bedroom Chains
Lucy Mwangi
Baba Twins
Mugisha Herbert Morris
Tembele
Nadira Shakur
Married to Work
Omar Hamza
Gacal
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi
Frida
Wilson Nkya & Philipo Ngonyani
Mvamizi (The Intruder)
BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA
Brotherhood
Jade Osiberu
Chris Odeh
Choke
Kayode Kasum
Obara’ M
Kunle Afolayan
Anikulapo
Rent-A-Studio & Native Media TV
Kanaani
Samira Yakubu
Red Carpet
Winifred Mena Ajakpovi
Four Four Forty Four
BEST TELEVISION SERIES
Adeola Art-Alade & Dare Art Alade
Real Housewives of Lagos
Bovi Ugboma, Ann Obaseki
Visa On Arrival (Season 1)
Dimbo Atiya, Rahama Sadau, Safina Mellisa
The Plan
Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson
Single Kiasi
Ife Olujuyigbe, Kayode Kasum
When are we getting married
James Omokwe
Diiche
Millicent Ogutu
County 49
Tola Odunsi & Akin Akinkugbe
Flawsome
Vincent Nwachukwu
Game On (Season 2)
Yinka Edward
Crime & Justice
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Best Okoduwa
100 of Us
Charles F. Solomon
Way to the Top
Charles F. Solomon; Oluchi Nsofor; Aaron Olayemi; Famous Odion
Green: The Amazons
Chude Jideowo
Awaiting Trial
Nathaniel George
Truck Blind Spot
Nora Awolowo
Nigeria-the Debut
Nora Awolowo
Baby Blues
BEST DIRECTOR
Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo
King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Babatunde Apalowo
All The Colours of the World are between Black and White
Bolanle Austen-Peters
Man of God
Dimeji Ajibola
Shanty Town
Jade Osiberu
The Trade
Kunle Afolayan
Anikulapo
Loukman Ali
Brotherhoods
Mugisha Herbert Morris
Tembele
Obi Emelonye
Black Mail
Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, James Omokwe
Diiche
THE MULTICHOICE TALENT FACTORY FILM
A Quiet Intruder
Cheza
Leaked
Revisit
Stinger
Strings
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – SWAHILI – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Daniel Manege
Mpiganaji
Freddy Feruzi
Dau
Malcom Hamisi
Barakatatu
Philip Karanja Njenga
Click Click Bang
Phoebe Ruguru & Njue Kevin
Safari
Wilson Nkya
Mvanmizi – The Intruder
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi
Frida
(MOVIE/TV SERIES) – BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE YORUBA (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Funmi Bank Anthony Abdullahi Abdulrasaq
Abebi Seranko Seniyan
Karamot Adeboye
Morenikeji
Kunle Afolayan
Anikulapo
Okusanya Bayonle Samson
Mr Raji
Ololade Tijani-Ebong
Ogeere
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – HAUSA – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abubakar Bashir Maishadda
Aisha
Evans Ejiogu
Kwana Casa’in
Nancy Yiljep
Guzama
Ty Shaban
Lulu Da Andalu
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – IGBO – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Brown Ene, Victor Onwudiwe, Ben Cassie
Ifediche
Shileold A. Ibironke
Ijeoma
Shileold A. Ibironke
Ego Mbute
Trinity Ugonabo
The Bride Price (imego)
Victor Iyke
Uhuruchi
BEST OVERALL MOVIE – AFRICA
Femi Adebayo
King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Funke Akindele
Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu
Brotherhood
Kayode Kasum
Ile Owo
Kunle Afolayan
Anikulapo
Mugisha Herbert Morris
Tembele
Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
Four Four Forty Four