AMVCA 2025 Nominations: Surprises, Highlights & Full Nominee List

The AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards) 2025 nominees have been announced, sparking excitement across the African entertainment industry. The AMVCA continues highlighting exceptional achievements in filmmaking, acting, and production by celebrating the creativity and talent in African storytelling. This year’s nominations reflect the industry’s diversity and growth, with remarkable entries that capture the richness of African narratives.

Let’s take a closer look at the AMVCA 2025 nominees list, notable highlights, and what this year’s awards reveal about the evolving entertainment industry in Africa.

 

Highlights of the AMVCA 2025 Nominees

The AMVCA continues its tradition of honouring exceptional talent from across Africa, showcasing filmmaking, acting, and production achievements. This year’s nominations feature diverse projects highlighting the growth and innovation within African entertainment.

 

Diverse Genres in the Spotlight

The AMVCA 2025 nominees include productions that span various genres, each reflecting the creativity and depth of African storytelling. Among the AMVCA 2025 nominees, Lisabi: The Uprising and Skeleton Coast stood out for their captivating storytelling and historical depth, while Christmas in Lagos brings a take on holiday-themed narratives. Similarly, Seven Doors captures audiences with its mix of suspense and drama, marking it as one of the year’s most anticipated entries.

 

Recognition for Emerging Talent

The 2025 AMVCA nominations have brought attention to a new generation of actors, directors, and producers making waves in the industry. Notable mentions include Chimezie Imo, celebrated for their gripping role in Tokunbo, and Uzoamaka Onuoha, whose standout performance in Agemo has garnered critical acclaim. Their inclusion in prominent categories signals a bright future for the African film industry as it embraces fresh talent.

 

Spotlight on the AMVCA 2025 Nominees

Beyond performances, this year’s awards emphasise technical categories such as cinematography, editing, and sound design. 

Films like Skeleton Coast and Lisabi: The Uprising demonstrate why they were selected as AMVCA 2025 nominees for their technical achievements. These nominations underline the importance of behind-the-scenes contributions in creating impactful films.

 

Regional and Cultural Representation

This year’s nominations also celebrate the diversity of African cultures and languages. Films like Thinline and Agemo highlight the richness of Indigenous narratives, while the “Best Indigenous Language Film” category features productions in Yoruba, Zulu, and Swahili, showcasing the continent’s linguistic heritage. Southern Africa, West Africa, and East Africa all have strong representation, reflecting the collaborative nature of African filmmaking.

 

Streaming Platforms Make Their Mark

Streaming platforms played a huge role in the success of many AMVCA 2025 nominees, such as Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre and Farmer’s Bride. Movies and series produced or distributed through platforms like Netflix, Showmax, and Amazon Prime Video have gained nominations across major categories, marking a shift in how African content reaches audiences. Productions such as Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre and Farmer’s Bride highlight this trend, reflecting the growing global interest in African stories.

 

Women Taking the Lead

Female filmmakers like Biodun Stephen, among the AMVCA 2025 nominees, continue to shape the future of African storytelling. Directors like Biodun Stephen and producers like Kemi Adetiba have paved the way for more women to take leading roles, inspiring a wave of inclusivity within African entertainment.

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High Anticipation for Documentaries and Series

While feature films dominate, the documentary and television categories have also sparked interest. Documentaries like In the Eyes of the Herdsmen explore pressing social issues, while series such as Blood on the Crown reflect the growing quality of African television production.

 

AMVCA 2025 Full Nominee List

Here is the complete list of nominees for the AMVCA:

Best Art Direction

• Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre – Kunle Afolayan And Soliu Quadri Afolabi
• Christmas In Lagos – Joy Kadiri
• Farmer’s Bride – Daniel Okoi
• Seven Doors – Tunji Afolayan
• The Man Died – Theo Lawson
• Lisabi: The Uprising – Soliu Badu Nautical And Ayanmo Yakub

 

Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)

• Walvis Tale – Tim Huebschle And David Benade
• The Vow – Elvis Chuks
• Mwizukanji – Cosmas Ng’andwe
• Man Of Gold – Emmanuel Mwape
• Lukas – Philippe Talavera

 

Best Lead Actress (Sponsored By Onga)

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

 

Best Make-Up

• Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
• Lisabi: The Uprising – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
• Seven Doors – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
• Clarence Peters’ Inside Life – Kpoudosu Winifred
• Suspicion – Tracy Izogie And Adeleke Toluwulashe Maigari
• Farmer’s Bride – Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy

 

Best Supporting Actress (Sponsored By Nivea)

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

 

Best Supporting Actor

• Gabriel Afolayan (Inside Life)
• Adedayo Adebowale (Lisabi)
• Aliu Gafar (Seven Doors)
• Femi Jacobs (Freedom Way)
• RMD (Christmas in Lagos)
• Uzor Arukwe (Suspicion)
• Mike Afolarin (House of Gaa)
• Efa Iwara (Princess on a Hill)

 

Best Unscripted M-Net Original (Sponsored By Indomie)

• Nigerian Idol – Anneke De Ridder And Kassim Sulaiman
• Pastor Wants A Wife Zambia – Mubanga Kafwimbi And Clement Mazimba
• Overall Best – Uche Ikejimba
• Husband Material – Uche Ikejimba
• The Queens Of Kopala – Maurice Raydo Malowa

 

Best Series (Unscripted)

• Style Magnate – Abisola Omolade
• Skillers (The Builders Show) – Bright Jaja, Uche Ikejimba, And Cross Okonkwo
• Ebuka Turns Up Africa – Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Erika Klopper, Ziyanda Ngcaba, And Olamide Ayodeji Adedeji
• Wa Milele? (Forever?) – Kefa Igilo And Jerryson Onasaa
• Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine – Chinekwu Osakwe And Kennedy Ezumah

 

Best Cinematography

• 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 Indigenous M-Net Original (Sponsored By Goldberg)

• Mai Shayi – Bem Pever
• The Caller – Brian Munene
• Show Me The Way – Nnodim Chigozie
• Ebighi Ebi – Florence Okechukwu And Iyke Okechukwu
• Subterranea – Brian Munene And Likarion Wainaina
• Onye Agbata Obim – Alozie Newman
• Amoanimaa’s Era – Kwabena Gyansah

 

Best Lead Actor (Sponsored By Verve)

• 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 (Sponsored By Arla Dano)

• The Weekend – Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, Vanessa Kanu And Frederick O. Anyaebunam Jnr
• Skeleton Coast – Omolola Lamikanra
• Freedom Way – Blessing Uzzi
• Phoenix Fury – Ifeoma N Chukwuogo
• A Ghetto Love Story – Victoria Eze
• Christmas In Lagos – Jadesola Osiberu
• House Of Ga’a – Tunde Babalola

 

Best Writing TV Series (Sponsored By Arla Dano)

• Untying Kantai – Abel Mutua Musyoka
• Tuki? – Louise Kamwangi
• Roses & Ivy – Biodun Stephen And Abimbola Akinrinbola
• Anikulapo: Rise Of The Spectre – Shola Dada
• Princess On A Hill – Bibi Ukpo, Niyi Adeniji And Sonia Nwosu
• Cheta’m – Ifeanyi Chidi Barbara
• Seven Doors – Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye And Soyombo-Oluyombo Oluwagbemiga

 

Best Costume Design

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

 

Social Media Reactions to the AMVCA 2025 Nominees

Social Media Reactions to AMVCA 2025

No AMVCA is complete without a social media buzz. Fans have taken to platforms like Twitter and Instagram to voice their opinions about the nominations.

The hashtag #AMVCA2025Snubs trended shortly after the announcement, with fans rallying behind overlooked favourites like The Black Book and Richard Mofe-Damijo.

On the other hand, #AMVCA2025Surprises celebrated underdogs like Chimezie Imo and Orisa, praising their recognition as a win for the African entertainment industry.

The public discourse highlights how deeply fans connect with these awards, further proving the AMVCA’s impact on pop culture.

 

Conclusion

The AMVCA 2025 nominees have sparked debates and anticipation, making this year’s ceremony one to watch. While the snubs and surprises spark meaningful conversations, they also remind us of the vibrant creativity within Africa’s entertainment industry.

As we look forward to the awards night, one thing is sure: The AMVCA remains a crucial platform for celebrating African talent, fostering conversations about representation, and inspiring storytellers to push boundaries.

 

FAQs 

1. When is the AMVCA 2025 ceremony?

The awards ceremony will take place on May 10, 2025, and will be broadcast live across all Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv.

2. How do I vote for my favourite nominees?

Voting is open via the official Africa Magic website at www.africamagic.tv/AMVCA and runs until May 4, 2025.

3. Which AMVCA 2025 nominees received the most nominations?

Films like Seven Doors, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, and Farmer’s Bride received the highest number of nominations this year, dominating key categories such as Best Movie, Cinematography, and Acting awards.

4. Who will receive special awards this year?

Richard Mofe-Damijo (RMD) and Joke Silva will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Awards, while Chimezie Imo will receive the Trailblazer Award.

5. How many categories are open for public voting?

Ten categories, including Best Movie and Best Lead Actor/Actress, are open for public voting.