Everything You Need to Know About 2025 AMVCA

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has long been a beacon of excellence in Africa. It is known for showcasing and celebrating the vast talents in African film and television.

As the 11th edition approaches, memories of last year’s spectacle still linger. The 2024 edition, held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, marked a significant milestone. The event dazzled attendees with glamorous red carpet moments and memorable performances.

Notably, “Over the Bridge” led the nominations with 12 nods, while “Mami Wata” and “Jagun Jagun” followed closely, each securing multiple awards. The anticipation for AMVCA 2025 is palpable, promising to surpass previous celebrations in grandeur and significance.

When and Where is AMVCA 2025 Taking Place?

Building on that last year’s success, AMVCA 2025 extends its festivities over four days, from May 7th to May 10th. This extension aims to honour achievements not only in film but also in culture, fashion, and music, reflecting the multifaceted nature of African artistry. The grand finale of AMVCA is set for May 10th, 2025, in the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria. It will be broadcast live across Africa Magic channels, ensuring that millions across the continent can partake in the celebration.

Who Are the Hosts of AMVCA 2025?

In previous years, the charismatic IK Osakioduwa has graced the AMVCA stage, becoming a familiar and beloved presence. He has hosted the event consecutively since 2014, bringing his unique charm and energy to the ceremony. As of now, the organizers have not announced whether Osakioduwa or another host will lead the 2025 edition, leaving fans eagerly awaiting further details.

Performances and Presenters in 2025

While the lineup of performers and presenters for AMVCA 2025 has yet to be officially announced, if last year’s electrifying acts are any indication, audiences are in for a treat. Past editions have featured artists like Burna Boy and Tiwa Savage, leaving audiences enthralled. The fusion of music and film during the ceremony not only entertains but also highlights the collaborative spirit of the African entertainment industry.

What’s New in AMVCA 2025?

The AMVCA continues to evolve, and this year introduces standalone categories for Best Sound Design and Best Original Score/Music.

The introduction of these categories underscores the importance of music and auditory artistry in cinematic storytelling. Femi Odugbemi, the head judge of the AMVCA, highlighted that this category honours professionals whose musical artistry enhances the emotional depth of film narratives.

Who Are The Big Nominees for AMVCA 2025?

The competition has raised anticipation among viewers, with standout films like Seven Doors and Lisabi: The Uprising leading the nominations.

Seven Doors, directed by Femi Adebayo, has garnered 11 nominations, including Best Lead Actress for Chioma Akpotha and Best Lead Actor for Adebayo himself. Adebayo celebrated this remarkable achievement and described it as an incredible milestone in his Instagram post.

“What an incredible milestone! #SevenDoors has knocked down 11 nominations at the 11th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA)! 🏆🎬”, he captioned the post.

His excitement was palpable, and fans couldn’t help but share this incredible milestone’s thrill. Its nominations for Best Costume Design and Best Makeup also signal keen attention to its visual storytelling. 

Lisabi: The Uprising, directed by Adedimeji Lateef, follows closely with 10 nominations, including Best Movie and Best Lead Actor. The film’s portrayal of historical narratives through compelling performances and meticulous art direction has captivated audiences and critics alike.

Of Course, the 2025 AMVCAs Red Carpet is a Can’t Miss

Fashion enthusiasts eagerly await the red carpet moments that have become synonymous with the AMVCA.

Last year’s event set high standards, with celebrities showcasing ensembles that blended traditional African aesthetics with contemporary designs. The red carpet, hosted by Uti Nwachukwu, VJ Adams, and Toke Makinwa, was a spectacle of glamour, capturing every breathtaking look and unforgettable fashion moment.

Showgoers can expect a continuation of this trend as designers vie to make bold statements through their creations. The hosts and presenters, whose identities remain under wraps, are anticipated to dazzle, adding to the evening’s glamour. AMVCA 2025 will undoubtedly set fashion trends that will inspire and dominate the style scene all year long.

Full List of AMVCA 2025 Nominations

This year, the awards encompass 27 categories, thoughtfully divided between non-voting segments that recognize technical and behind-the-scenes excellence and public voting categories where fans’ votes play a role in determining the winners. Voting will commence immediately after the nominee announcement on March 23rd and will close on May 4th, 2025, at 20:00 WAT.

As anticipation builds for AMVCA 2025, all eyes are on the nominees who have set new standards in African entertainment. Here’s the full list of contenders vying for the awards this year.

Best Digital Content Creator (Audience voting)

• Jide ‘Pounds’ Ibitoye (Jide Pounds)
• Dorcas Ariyiike Owolagba (Ariyiike Dimples)
• Iyo Prosper
• Elozonam
• Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma)

Best Art Director (Judges voting)

• Farmer’s Bride
• The Man Died
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Christmas in Lagos
• Seven Doors
• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

Best Indigenous Language – South Africa (Audience voting)

• Mwizukanji
• The Vow
• Man of Gold
• Lukas
• Walvis Tale

Best Lead Actress (Judges voting)

• Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
• Gbubemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
• Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
• Uche Montana – Thinline
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
• Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

Best Makeup (Judges voting)

• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
• Inside Life
• Farmer’s Bride
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Seven Doors
• Suspicion

Best Supporting Actress (Judges voting)

• Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
• Tina Mba – Suspicion
• Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
• Ini Dinma-Okojie – Skeleton Coast
• Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
• Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
• Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo

Best Unscripted M-Net Original (Audience voting)

• Nigerian Idol
• The Queens of Kopala
• Pastor Wants a Wife Zambia
• Overall Best
• Husband Material

Best Series Unscripted (Judges voting)

• Ebuka Turns Up For Africa
• Skillers (The Builders Reality Show)
• Style Magnate
• Take Me Home – Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine
• Wa Milele? (Forever)

Best Cinematography (Judges voting)

• Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra
• Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield
• The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman
• Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
• Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
• Agemo — Papama Tangela

Best Director (Judges voting)

• House of Ga’a – Bolanle Austen-Peters
• Inkabi – Norman Maake
• Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo
• Skeleton Coast – Robert O Peters
• The Man Died – Awam Amkpa
• The Weekend – Daniel Emeke Oriahi

Best Indigenous M-Net Original (Audience voting)

• Onye Agbata Obim – Alozie Newman
• Mai Shayi – Bem Pever
• The Caller – Brian Munene
• Subterranea – Brian Munene and Likarion Wainaina
• Ebighi Ebi – Florence Okechukwu and Iyke Okechukwu
• Amoanimaa’s Era – Kwabena Gyansah
• ZI M ỤZỌ – Nnodim Chigozie

Best Lead Actor (Judges voting)

• Tokunbo – Gideon Okeke  
• The Weekend – Bucci Franklin 
• House of Ga’a – Femi Branch 
• Skeleton Coast – Thapelo Makoena  
• Princess on A Hill – Bimbo Manuel  
• Suspicion – Stan Nze
• Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo
• Lisabi: The Uprising – Adedimeji Lateef

Best Writing Movie (Judges voting)

• Phoenix Fury
• A Ghetto Love Story
• Christmas in Lagos
• Freedom Way
• The Weekend
• House of Ga’a

Best Writing TV Series (Judges voting)

• Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre
• Cheta M
• Princess on a Hill
• Roses & Ivy
• Seven Doors
• Tuki
• Untying Kanta

Best Costume Design (Judges voting)

• Christmas In Lagos — Adedamola Adeyemi
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Oluwatoyin Balogun and Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji
• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Toyin Ogundeji
• House of Ga’a — Bolanle Austen-Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, and Gloria Ovu
• Phoenix Fury — Opeyemi Sogeke

Best Indigenous Languages East Africa (Audience voting)

• The Empty Grave – Cece Mlay and Agnes Lisa Wegner
• Makosa di Yangu – Abel Mutua Musyoka
• Sabotage – Humphrey Nabimanya and Mathew Nabwiso
• The Caller – Brian Munene
• Wa Milele? (Forever) – Kefa Hussein Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa

Best Series Scripted (Judges voting)

• Inside Life – Clarence Peters
• Cheta M – James Omokwe
• Princess on A Hill – Chuka Ejorh, Shayo Oke Sobo, Tolu Ajayi and Abiola Sobo
• Seven Doors – Femi Adebayo
• Roses & Ivy – Biodun Stephen

Best Short Film (Audience voting)

• Brukaci
• In Bloom: ‘Afefe’
• Sukari
• The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Sèyí Àjàyí
• What Are You Truly Afraid Of?

Best Supporting Actor (Judges voting)

• Efa Iwara – Princess On A Hill
• Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni (Mr Macaroni) – Lisabi: The Uprising
• Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
• Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
• Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) – Christmas in Lagos
• Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
• Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
• Femi Adebayo – Freedom Way

Best Documentary (Judges voting)

• Dundun
• I Will Remember You
• O.Y.O (On Your Own)
• Walvis Tale
• Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women

Best Editing (Judges voting)

• Inkabi — Tongai Furusa
• Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande
• Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen
• Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Ayomikun Oteju
• Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede

Best Indigenous Language West Africa (Audience voting) 

• Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo
• Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Lateef and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji
• Kaka — Prince Daniel
• Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Kunle Afolayan
• Mai Martaba — Prince Daniel

Best Score/Music (Judges voting)

• Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
• Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro
• Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba
• Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher
• Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)

Best Scripted M-Net Original (Audience voting)

• Uriri — Xavier Ighorodje
• All Mine — Hadizat Ibrahim
• My Fairytale Wedding — Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo
• Italo — Rogers Ofime
• The Caller — Brain Munene
• Kam U Stay — Damaris Irungu Ochieng

Best Sound Design (Judges voting)

• Beast of Two Worlds
• Freedom Way
• Inkabi
• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Seven Doors
• Suspicion

Best Movie (Judges voting)

• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Skeleton Coast
• Suspicion
• Inkabi
• House of Ga’a
• Freedom Way
• Christmas in Lagos
• Farmer’s Bride 

Best MultiChoice Talent Factory (Audience voting)

• Mwananga
• Rivals In Time
• Deadbeat
• Everything Light Touches
• Gone
• The Immersive Alarm

As the countdown to AMVCA 2025 continues, excitement builds. Fans are encouraged to participate actively by voting for their favorites before the deadline, May 4th, 2025, at 20:00 WAT. With its blend of recognition for artistic excellence and celebration of cultural heritage, AMVCA 2025 promises to be an unforgettable event, marking another milestone in the journey of African storytelling.

Photo: Instagram/Klala Photography