By Bolaji Okunola
The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) ended on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Lagos, with a ceremony that celebrated the finest in African film, television and digital content. This year’s winners underscored the continent’s diverse storytelling talent, cultural richness and continued creative evolution.
Freedom Way claimed the coveted Best Movie award, while Seven Doors emerged as a major highlight of the night. The film earned Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka the awards for Best Actor and Best Actress respectively. It also won Best Original Score, composed by Tolu Obanro, marking the debut of the category at this year’s awards.
Lisabi made a strong impact in the technical categories. It took home the awards for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Best Makeup (credited to Hakeem Onilogbo), Best Art Direction, and the overall Best Indigenous Language Film. Leo Purman won Best Cinematography for The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos, while Tongai Furusa was awarded Best Editing for Inkabi.
In the performance categories, Gabriel Afolayan was named Best Supporting Actor for his role in Inside Life, which also won Best Scripted Series, credited to Clearance Peter. Mercy Aigbe received the Best Supporting Actress award for The Farmer’s Bride.
The growing influence of digital and short-form storytelling was also recognised. Iyo Prosper Adokiye won Best Digital Content Creator, while Brukaci secured the award for Best Short Film. In the unscripted category, Nigeria Idol won Best Unscripted M-Net Original, while Wa Milele took home the award for Best Unscripted Series.
Kayode Kasum was honoured with the Trailblazer Award for his emerging impact in the industry, while Nollywood veterans, Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu, received Industry Merit Awards in recognition of their outstanding contributions to African cinema.
Other major wins included The Man Died by Awam Amkpa for Best Director, Suspicion for Best Sound Design, Christmas in Lagos by Ademola Adeyemi for Best Costume Design, Freedom Way for Best Writing in a Movie, and Untying Kantai by Abel Mutua Musyoka for Best Writing in a TV Series.
In regional recognition, Mwizukanji was named Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa), and Makosa Di Tangu for East Africa. Onye Agbata Obim earned the award for Best Indigenous M-Net Original, and My Fairytale Wedding was recognised as Best Scripted M-Net Original. The Best MultiChoice Talent Factory Film went to Everything Light Touches.
Speaking on the significance of this year’s awards, Executive Head of Content and West Africa Channels, MultiChoice, Dr. Busola Tejumola, said:
“The AMVCAs reflect the ambition of a continent in motion. These stories are no longer emerging, they are defining global conversations. Africa Magic and MultiChoice are proud to be the platform of that power.”
Hosted by IK Osakioduwa and broadcast live across all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, the AMVCAs once again highlighted the growing impact of African storytelling across film, television and digital platforms.