The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations have been unveiled, spotlighting excellence in African cinema. Veteran actress Joke Silva leads this year’s jury as Head Judge, emphasizing authenticity and craftsmanship in storytelling.

This edition expands beyond traditional boundaries, highlighting nominees from Lagos to Addis Ababa and previously untapped regions in North and Central Africa.

The ceremony, set for Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Lagos, Nigeria, promises a night celebrating African cinema at its best.

The awards feature 32 categories, with 18 jury-decided and 11 open for public voting. New additions include Best Indigenous Language – North Africa and Best Indigenous Language – Central Africa, further emphasizing diversity.

Special honors like the Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards will also be presented.

Leading the nominations is Daniel Etim Effiong’s film, “The Herd,” with nine nods, including Best Director, Best Movie, and Best Lead Actress for Genoveva Umeh. Other notable projects are “My Father’s Shadow” with eight nominations and “Gingerrr” with seven.

Individually, Lateef Adedimeji shines as the most-nominated talent, earning three nods across genres. Other multiple nominees include Linda Ejiofor, Sola Sobowale, Uzor Arukwe, and Femi Branch, showcasing their versatility. Technical talents like Adeola Bamgboye, Tolu Obanro, and Emmanuel Igbekele also earned multiple nominations.

Public voting is now live for the 11 designated categories. Fans can cast votes by visiting the official AMVCA website, signing in, and selecting their favorites. Each user is allowed up to 100 votes per platform, free of charge aside from data costs.

The nominations reflect a vibrant year for Nollywood and African cinema, setting the stage for a competitive and celebratory awards night.