The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was a night of glitz, glamour, and groundbreaking achievements, but two productions stood above the rest – Femi Adebayo’s “Seven Doors” and Lateef Adedimeji’s “Lisabi: The Uprising.”
Both films emerged as the biggest winners of the night, each clinching three prestigious awards, solidifying their place in the annals of African cinema.
“Seven Doors,” a gripping drama directed by Femi Adebayo, captivated audiences and critics alike, earning Adebayo the award for Best Lead Actor, a recognition of his outstanding performance.
Alongside him, Chioma Chukwuka claimed the Best Lead Actress award for her stellar portrayal in the film. “This recognition means everything to me,” Adebayo expressed on stage. “It is proof that African stories can touch the world.”
The film also bagged the Best Score/Music award, with Tolu Obanro’s masterful soundtrack setting the perfect emotional tone.
On the other hand, Lateef Adedimeji’s epic historical drama “Lisabi: The Uprising” also had a triumphant night. It secured the Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) award, celebrating its authentic storytelling and cultural depth.
The film’s stunning visual storytelling was acknowledged with the Best Art Direction award, credited to Solihull Badu Noutical and Ayanmo Yakub.
Furthermore, the remarkable transformation of characters through makeup artistry earned Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) the Best Makeup award.
“This is not just my win; it’s a win for our culture, our language, and our heritage,” Adedimeji declared with pride.
Beyond the celebration of new talents and breakout films, the AMVCA also honored two veterans who have defined Nollywood’s legacy.
Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh received the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards for their outstanding contributions to the industry.
“Nollywood has been my life, my passion, and my purpose,” Owoh said, his voice tinged with emotion, as the crowd gave a standing ovation.
Mu’azu, known for his impactful roles and storytelling, echoed similar sentiments, expressing gratitude for a career that has spanned decades.
Director Kayode Kasum was also among the night’s stars, taking home the Trailblazer Award, a recognition of his innovative approach to storytelling in Nollywood.
Known for his ability to blend genres and push creative boundaries, Kasum’s acceptance speech was both emotional and inspiring.
“This is just the beginning,” he told the audience. “African cinema has so much more to offer, and I’m honored to be part of its journey.”
Below is a full list of winners:
Best Movie
Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Lateef and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji
Skeleton Coast — Mondjila Studios
Suspicion — Tosin Igho
Inkabi — Princess Mhlongo
House of Ga’a — Bolanle Austen-Peters and Joseph Umoibom
Freedom Way — Blessing Uzzi — Winner
Christmas in Lagos — Jadesola Osiberu
Farmer’s Bride — Kene Okwuosa, Moses Babatope, Craig Shurn, and Colette Otusheso
Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo
Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Latest and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji – Winner
Kaka — Prince Daniel
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Kunle Afolayan
Mai Martaba — Prince Daniel
Best Supporting Actor
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — Gabriel Afolayan – Winner
Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni
Seven Doors — Aliu Gafar
Freedom Way — Femi Jacobs
Christmas in Lagos — Richard Mofe-Damijo
Suspicion — Uzor Arukwe
House of Ga’a — Mike Folarin
Princess On A Hill — Efa Iwara
Best Supporting Actress
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 – Winner
The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3 — Omoni Oboli
Aburo — Darasimi Nnadi
Best Lead Actor
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 – Winner
Lisabi: The Uprising — Adedimeji Lateef
Best Lead Actress
Seven Doors — Chioma Chukwuka – Winner
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 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 — Winner
Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston
Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee
Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo
Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Sound/Sound Design
Inkabi — Vaughn Philips
Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro, Pius Fatoke, and Adam Songbird
Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew and Olusola Wilson
Lisabi: The Uprising — Tolu Obanro and Bode Odeyemi
Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds — Adams Songbird and Pius Fatoke
Suspicion — Michael Botha and Olaosebikan Okonrende – Winner
Best Editing
Inkabi — Tongai Furusa – Winner
Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande
Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen
Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane
Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios
Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede
Best Score/Music
Inkabi — Seoli Bongani Mashaba
Freedom Way — Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
Seven Doors — Tolu Obanro – Winner
Soft Love — Kolade Morankinyo (MPSE) and Efa Iwara (Love and Hate)
Skeleton Coast — Chris Letcher
Best Art Direction
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Kunle Afolayan and Solihull Quadri Afolabi
Christmas in Lagos — Joy Kadiri
Farmer’s Bride — Daniel Okoi
Seven Doors — Tunji Afolayan
The Man Died— Theo Lawson
Lisabi: The Uprising — Solihull Badu Noutical and Ayanmo Yakub – Winner
Best Make-Up
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
Lisabi: The Uprising — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) – Winner
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 Writer (movie)
The Weekend — Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, and Vanessa Kanu, and Frederick O. Anyaebunam Jnr
Skeleton Coast — Omolola Lamikanra
Freedom Way — Blessing Uzzi – Winner
Phoenix Fury — Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo
A Ghetto Love Story — Victoria Eze
Christmas in Lagos — Jadesola Osiberu
House of Ga’a — Tunde Babalola
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 – Winner
Best Writing (TV Series)
Untying Kantai — Abel Mutua Musyoka – Winner
Tuki? — Louise Kamwangi
Roses and 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 Documentary
Walvis Tale — David Benade and Tim Huebschle
Dundun — Ifeoluwa Fatogun and Ebi Atawodi – Winner
O.Y.O (On Your Own) — Daniel Omokhagbo Itegboje
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women — Jessica Eneh, Eric Chidom, Kelechi Agbara, and Vera Okoh
I Will Remember You — Mohamed Rida Gueznai
Best Series (Scripted)
Princess on A Hill — Chuka Ejorh, Shayo Oke Sobo, Tolu Ajayi, and Abiola Soyo
Cheta’M — James Omokwe
Roses and Ivy — Biodun Stephen
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — Clarence Peters – Winner
Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo
Best Director
Skeleton Coast — Robert O. Peters
Inkabi — Norman Make
House of Ga’a — Bolanle Austen-Peters
The Man Died — Awam Amkpa — Winner
The Weekend — Daniel Emeke Oriahi
Seven Doors — Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, and Tope Adebayo
Trailblazer Award
Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Award
Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh
