The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2026 lit up Lagos on Saturday night as filmmakers, actors and content creators from across Africa gathered at the Eko Hotel and Suites to celebrate excellence in film, television and digital storytelling.
The glamorous event, which started at 7 p.m., was broadcast live on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv, with viewers also streaming the ceremony online.
One of the biggest winners of the night was My Father’s Shadow, which dominated major categories including Best Movie, Best Director and Best Writing for a Movie. The film’s director, Akinola Davies Jr, clinched the Best Director award, while Wale Davies won Best Writing – Movie.
In the acting categories, Uzor Arukwe emerged Best Lead Actor for his role in Colours of Fire, while Linda Ejiofor took home the Best Lead Actress award for The Serpent’s Gift. Ejiofor also added another plaque to her collection after winning Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.
For supporting roles, Bucci Franklin won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in To Kill a Monkey.
Veteran stars Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for their contributions to the African film industry, while Uche Montana received the Trailblazer Award.
Among other notable winners, Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, produced by Lateef Adedimeji, won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), while Inimba claimed both Best Indigenous M-Net Original and Best Scripted Series.
In the technical categories, Colours of Fire won Best Costume Design and Best Art Direction, while To Kill a Monkey secured Best Cinematography. Warlord earned the award for Best Makeup, and My Father’s Shadow also picked up Best Sound Design.
Reality show Nigerian Idol Season 10 won Best Unscripted Series, beating other contenders including The Real Housewives of Lagos and Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa.
Here is the full list of major winners at the 2026 AMVCA:
Best Movie — My Father’s Shadow
Best Director — Akinola Davies Jr (My Father’s Shadow)
Best Lead Actor — Uzor Arukwe (Colours of Fire)
Best Lead Actress — Linda Ejiofor (The Serpent’s Gift)
Best Supporting Actor — Bucci Franklin (To Kill a Monkey)
Best Supporting Actress — Linda Ejiofor (The Herd)
Trailblazer Award — Uche Montana
Lifetime Achievement Awards — Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) — Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
Best Scripted Series — Inimba
Best Unscripted Series — Nigerian Idol (Season 10)
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