AMVCA 2026: Gingerrr and The Herd Lead the Pack with 9 Nominations Each
The nominations for the highly anticipated 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have officially been unveiled—and it’s already shaping up to be one of the most competitive years yet.
Announced live on Africa Magic channels on Sunday, March 29, 2026, the reveal was hosted by AMVCA-winning actor Chimezie Imo, setting social media buzzing with reactions across the industry.
Top Contenders: A Tight Race at the Top
Leading the nominations this year are Gingerrr and The Herd, each securing an impressive 9 nominations across major categories.
Close behind is To Kill A Monkey with 8 nominations, while My Father’s Shadow earned 7 nominations, further proving its strong critical and industry appeal.
These films dominated key categories including acting, directing, writing, and technical craftsmanship, highlighting the evolving quality and global competitiveness of African storytelling.
Acting Categories: Veterans and Rising Stars Shine
This year’s acting nominations strike a balance between industry veterans and exciting new talents.
- Nollywood icon Sola Sobowale earns nominations in both lead and supporting categories
- Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji also secure multiple nods
- Fast-rising talent Genoveva Umeh lands her first Best Lead Actress nomination, making her one to watch ahead of the big night
The mix of seasoned performers and fresh faces reflects Nollywood’s growing depth of talent.
Voting Details and Ceremony Date
Voting for public categories officially opened:
🕗 8:00 PM, Sunday, March 29, 2026
Fans can vote via:
👉🏽 www.africamagic.tv/amvca
The winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony scheduled for:
📅 Saturday, May 9, 2026
Inside AMVCA 12: Categories and Structure
The 2026 edition features a total of 32 award categories, broken down as follows:
- 18 jury-decided categories
- 11 audience-voted categories
- 3 special recognition awards
This structure ensures a balance between industry expertise and audience participation, a key factor in the AMVCA’s continued relevance.
Spotlight Categories and Notable Nominees
Here are some of the standout nominees across major categories:
Best Movie
- Gingerrr
- The Herd
- My Father’s Shadow
- 3 Cold Dishes
- The Serpent’s Gift
- Behind The Scenes
Best Director
- Akinola Davies Jr – My Father’s Shadow
- Tunde Kelani – Cordelia
- Daniel Etim Effiong – The Herd
- Yemi Morafa – Gingerrr
Best Lead Actress
- Genoveva Umeh – The Herd
- Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency
- Bimbo Akintola – To Kill A Monkey
- Scarlet Gomez – Behind The Scenes
Best Lead Actor
- Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born
- Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire
- Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey
- Femi Branch – Red Circle
Best Cinematography
- My Father’s Shadow
- The Herd
- Gingerrr
- To Kill A Monkey
A Celebration of African Storytelling
From compelling narratives to technical excellence, the AMVCA 12 nominations reflect a thriving African film and television industry that continues to push creative boundaries.
With heavyweights like Gingerrr and The Herd leading the charge, and strong contenders like To Kill A Monkey and My Father’s Shadow in close pursuit, the race to May 9 promises to be nothing short of intense.
As anticipation builds, one thing is clear:
AMVCA 2026 will be a defining moment for Nollywood and African cinema at large.
Now, the spotlight shifts to fans and industry stakeholders alike—who takes home the statue?
