The 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) recently captivated audiences across the continent, celebrating the best in African film and television.
Kenya once again proudly etched its name among the winners. Leading the charge for Kenya this year was the dynamic duo of Abel Mutua and Philip Karanja, whose Philit Productions secured two significant win.
1. Best Writing in a TV Series: Untying Kantai – Abel Mutua Musyoka clinched this prestigious award for the compelling narrative of Untying Kantai. This Showmax dramedy has resonated deeply with audiences for its gripping exploration of trauma, secrets, and identity, driven by powerful storytelling and multidimensional characters.
2. Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa): Makosa ni Yangu – Also from Philit Productions, Makosa ni Yangu was recognized as the best indigenous language film from East Africa. This Swahili-language drama has been lauded for its honest and emotionally profound portrayal of the devastating ripple effects of sexual assault within a community, a narrative that struck a powerful chord with both viewers and the AMVCA jury
Here is the complete list of winners:
Best Costume Design
Adedamola Adeyemi – Christmas In Lagos — WINNER
Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Bolanle Austen- Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, Gloria Oyu – House Of Ga’a
Oluwatoyin Balogun, Oyeade Adeimpe Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Opeyemi Sogeke – Phoenix Fury
Adedamola Adeyemi – Christmas In Lagos
Best Makeup
Lisabi: The Uprising — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) — WINNER
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
Seven Doors — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — Kpoudosu Winifred
Suspicion — Tracy Izogie and Adeleke Toluwulashe Maigari
Farmer’s Bride — Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy
Best Art Direction
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Christmas In Lagos
Farmer’s Bride
Seven Doors
The Man Died
Best Sound/Sound Design
Suspicion — WINNER
Inkabi
Seven Doors
Freedom Way
Lisabi: The Uprising
Ajakaju: Beast Of Two Worlds
Best Editing
Inkabi — Tongai Furusa — WINNER
Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande
Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen
Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane
Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios
Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede
Best Writing TV Series
Untying Kantai — Abel Mutua Musyoka — WINNER
Tuki? — Louise Kamwangi
Roses and Ivy — Biodun Stephen and Abimbola Akinrinbola
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Shola Dada
Princess on A Hill — Bibi Ukpo, Niyi Adeniji, and Sonia Nwosu
Cheta’M — Ifeanyi Chidi Barbara
Seven Doors — Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye, and Soyombo-Oluyombo Oluwagbemiga
Best Writing in a Movie
Freedom Way — Blessing Uzzi — WINNER
The Weekend — Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, and Vanessa Kanu, and Frederick O. Anyaebunam Jnr
Skeleton Coast — Omolola Lamikanra
Phoenix Fury — Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo
A Ghetto Love Story — Victoria Eze
House of Ga’a — Tunde Babalola
Christmas In Lagos — Jadesola Osiberu
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Mwizukanji — WINNER
Walvis Tale
The Vow
Man of Gold
Lukas
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Makosa Di Tangu — WINNER
The Caller
Sabotage
Wa Milele? (Forever)
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Seven Doors
Kaka
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Mai Martaba
Best Cinematography
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman — WINNER
Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra
Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield
Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Digital Content Creator
Iyo Prosper — WINNER
Jide ‘Pounds’ Ibitoye (Jide Pounds)
Dorcas Ariyiike Owolagba (Ariyi ike Dimples)
Elozonam
Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma)
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Onye Agbata Obim — WINNER
Mai Shayi
The Caller
Show Me The Way
Ebighi Ebi
Subterranea
Amoanimaa’s Era
Best Scripted M-Net Original
My Fairytale Wedding — WINNER
Uriri
All Mine
Italo
The Caller
Kam U Stay
Best Short Film
Brukaci — WINNER
Sukari
What Are You Really Afraid Of?
In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Seyi Ajayi
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nigerian Idol — WINNER
Pastor Wants A Wife (Zambia)
Overall Best
Husband Material
The Queens of Kopala
Best Score/Music
Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro — WINNER
Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba
Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde “Louddaaa” Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)
Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher
Best Documentary
Dundun — Ifeoluwa Fatogun and Ebi Atawodi – WINNER
Walvis Tale — David Benade and Tim Huebschle
O.Y.O (On Your Own) — Daniel Omokhagbo Itegboje
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Woman — Jessica Eneh, Eric Chidom, Kelechi Agbara, and Vera Okoh
I Will Remember You — Mohamed Rida Gueznai
Best Supporting Actress
Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride — WINNER
Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
Tina Mba – Suspicion
Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
Ini Dima-Okojie – Skeleton Coast
Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo
Best Supporting Actor
Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life — WINNER
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni – Lisabi: The Uprising
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Christmas In Lagos
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill
Trailblazer Award
Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Award
Sani Mu’azu
Nkem Owoh
Best Lead Actress
Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors — WINNER
GbugbemI Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
Uche Montana – Thinline
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
Hilda Dokudo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Lead Actor
Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors — WINNER
Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
Bimbo Manuel – Princess On A Hill
Stan Nze – Suspicion
Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Everything Light Touches (West Africa) — WINNER
Gone (West Africa)
The Immersive Alarm (East Africa)
Deadbeat (East Africa)
Mwananga (Southern Africa)
Rivals in Time (Southern Africa)
Best Unscripted Series
Wa Milele? (Forever) — WINNER
Style Magnate
Skillers (The Builders Show)
Ebuka Turns Up Africa
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine
Best Scripted Series
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — WINNER
Seven Doors
Princess On A Hill
Cheta’M
Roses & Ivy
Best Director
Awam Amkpa – The Man Died — WINNER
Robert O Peters – Skeleton Coast
Norman Maake – Inkabi
Bolanle Austen-Peters – House of Ga’a
Daniel Emeka Oriahi – The Weekend
Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors
Best Movie
Freedom Way — WINNER
Lisabi: The Uprising
Skeleton Coast
Suspicion
Inkabi
House of Ga’a
Christmas in Lagos
Farmer’s Bride