Full List of Winners as AMVCA 2026 Celebrates Black Excellence

The AMVCA 2026 edition once again proved why it is regarded as the most prestigious celebration of film, television, and digital storytelling in Africa. Beyond being a night of trophies and applause, it has grown into a cultural statement, one that reflects how African cinema continues to evolve, challenge global narratives, and proudly celebrate Black excellence across creative industries.

Held in Lagos, the ceremony brought together filmmakers, actors, directors, writers, and content creators from across the continent. It was not just about who won; it was about how far African storytelling has come, and how much further it is ready to go.

As part of the broader platform of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, the 2026 edition stood out for its diversity, technical growth, and stronger continental representation.

AMVCA 2026: Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture

The theme of Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026, “Honouring Craft, Celebrating Culture,” reflected the evolving identity of African cinema and television. More than a ceremonial tagline, the theme shaped the direction of the awards by recognizing the artistic skill behind filmmaking while celebrating the diverse cultural stories that continue to define the continent’s entertainment industry.

This year’s edition moved beyond traditional industry recognition by placing stronger emphasis on African narratives rooted in heritage, language, and lived experiences. From nominations to final wins, the awards highlighted productions that combined technical excellence with authentic storytelling.

Major Highlights and Industry Trends from AMVCA 2026

Before diving into the full list of winners, it is important to understand what defined this year’s awards.

1. Stronger African Regional Representation

The inclusion of multiple regional indigenous categories meant more countries were properly represented. East, West, North, Central, and Southern Africa all had winners, marking a shift toward a more unified continental platform.

2. Rise of Streaming and Limited Series

Projects distributed through streaming platforms and television anthologies dominated several categories. Series like Inimba and To Kill a Monkey showed how serialized storytelling is becoming a dominant force in African entertainment.

3. Technical Excellence Took Center Stage

From sound design to cinematography, the technical categories showed massive improvement. African films are no longer only competing on storytelling, they are now competing on global production quality.

4. Content Creators Are Now Mainstream

Digital creators officially hold a respected place in the industry. The Best Digital Content Creator category reinforced how social media storytelling has become part of mainstream African entertainment.

Full List of AMVCA 2026 Winners

Below is the complete breakdown of winners across all categories at the AMVCA 2026, reflecting the diversity and strength of African storytelling.

Best Digital Content Creator

The digital category highlighted how online storytelling continues to reshape entertainment.

• Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion
• The Marriage List
• Winner: Leave To Live – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
• The Rate Race
• Luxury Koko – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
• August Meeting Election – Steve Chuks
• Did I Just Hear Muah – Akwaman

Best Short Film

Short films continue to be a creative testing ground for filmmakers.

• Rise
• Fleas
• Telephone
• Winner: Hussainin – Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa
• My Body, God’s Temple

Indigenous Language Categories

East Africa

• Inside Job
• Sayari
• Winner: Addis Fikir
• My Son
• Kimote

West Africa

• The Serpent’s Gift
• Winner: Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
• Labake Olododo
• Aljana
• Olorisha

North Africa

• The Omnipresent
• The Delivery
• The Hidden Voice
• This Is Portsaid
• Winner: Artal Alhanin – Our Memories

Central Africa

• Mabanda – Kang Quintus
• Safou: A Gift From Nature
• Golden Spoon

South Africa

• Bet I Love You
• Sebata (The Beast)
• Ben Made It
• Winner: Tlhaho Ya Mosadi

Scripted and Unscripted M-Net Originals

Best Scripted M-Net Original

• Adam To Eve
• Mother of the Brides
• The Yard
• Winner: The Low Priest
• Bobo

Best Unscripted M-Net Original

• Winner: Nigerian Idol (S10)
• Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa
• Chapa Chapa My Love
• Out N About N’ Harar
• Undugu

Indigenous M-Net Originals

• Winner: Inimba
• Kukoyi
• Undugu
• Out N’ About (Harar)
• Kampala Creme (S2)
• The Chocolate Empire
• Mgbuka

Acting Categories: Standout Performances

Best Supporting Actress

• Linda Ejiofor – The Herd – Winner
• Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty
• Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr
• Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series

Best Supporting Actor

• Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard
• Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr
• Gabriel Afolayan – Colours of Fire
• Winner: Bucci Franklin – To Kill a Monkey

Best Lead Actress

• Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift – Winner
• Bimbo Akintola – To Kill a Monkey
• Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency
• Scarlet Gomez – Behind The Scenes

Best Lead Actor

• Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty
• Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
• Winner: Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire
• Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey

Technical Categories: Where Craft Meets Precision

Best Cinematography

• Winner: To Kill a Monkey – Kabelo Thathe

Best Art Direction

• Winner: Colours of Fire

Best Costume Design

• Winner: Colours of Fire

Best Sound Design

• Winner: My Father’s Shadow

Best Editing

• Winner: To Kill a Monkey

Best Make-Up

• Winner: Warlord

Writing and Storytelling Excellence

Best Writing – TV Series

• Winner: MTV Shuga Mashariki

Best Writing – Movie

• Winner: My Father’s Shadow

This category reinforced a major trend in AMVCA 2026: strong storytelling is becoming the foundation of award-winning African cinema.

Music, Documentary, and Documentary Impact

Best Score/Music

• Winner: My Father’s Shadow

Best Documentary

• Winner: Beyond Olympic Glory

These wins highlight how African filmmakers are using sound and documentary storytelling to explore identity, history, and social realities in deeper ways.

Best Series and Film Categories

Best Series (Scripted)

• Winner: Inimba

Best Movie

• Winner: My Father’s Shadow

This was one of the biggest highlights of AMVCA 2026, as My Father’s Shadow dominated multiple categories including writing, directing, music, and best film.

Directing and Production Excellence

Best Director

• Winner: Akinola Davies Jr – My Father’s Shadow

Direction this year leaned heavily into emotional storytelling and visual depth, with films focusing on identity, trauma, culture, and modern African life.

Industry Merit and Trailblazer Recognition

• Trailblazer Award: Uche Montana
• Industry Merit Award: Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo

These honors recognized long-term contributions to African cinema and the shaping of Nollywood’s global identity.

What AMVCA 2026 Says About African Cinema

The AMVCA 2026 results show a clear shift in African entertainment: First, African storytelling is no longer confined to Nollywood, it is continental. The winners reflect a unified industry where collaboration across borders is becoming normal.

Second, technical quality is now just as important as storytelling. Films are being judged on cinematography, sound, editing, and production design at a global level.

Third, indigenous storytelling is no longer niche, it is central. Films in local languages are winning major awards, proving that authenticity is now a competitive advantage.

Finally, digital creators are no longer outsiders. They are part of the mainstream entertainment ecosystem, shaping culture in real time.

Conclusion

The AMVCA 2026 was more than an awards ceremony, it was a reflection of a growing creative economy that is confident, experimental, and globally relevant. From emotional dramas to technical masterpieces, the winners demonstrated that African cinema is no longer emerging; it is established and evolving rapidly.

As audiences continue to demand more authentic, diverse, and high-quality content, platforms like the AMVCA will remain essential in shaping the direction of African storytelling. What stands out most is not just who won, but what those wins represent: a continent fully stepping into its creative power.