Nollywood Takes Center Stage: AMVCA 2025 Nominations Unveiled

The 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations have been unveiled, marking a significant milestone in the celebration of African cinema and television. This year's list is a testament to the diversity and richness of African storytelling, with films like "Lisabi: The Uprising", "Skeleton Coast", and "Seven Doors" leading the pack with multiple nominations.

Full List of Nominees for the AMVCA 2025:

Best Director
Robert O Peters – Skeleton Coast
Norman Maake – Inkabi
Bolanle AustenPeters – House of Ga’a
Awam Amkpa – The Man Died
Daniel Emeka Oriahi – The Weekend
Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors

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

Best Writing (Movie)
The Weekend (Egbemawei Dimiyesi Sammy, Vanessa Kanu, 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 Documentary
Dundun
OYO (On Your Own)
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women
Walvis Tale
I Will Remember You

Best Digital Content
Elozonam Ogbolu
Hoviare Freedom
Chiamaka Uzokwe
Taaooma
Ariyiikedimples
Brainjotter
Iyo Prosper Adokiye
Jide Pounds Ibitoye

Best MultiChoice Talent Factory
Everything Light Touches
The Immersive Alarm
Deadbeat
Nwananga
Rivals in Time
Gone

Best Scripted MNet Original
All Mine
My Fairytale Wedding
Italo
The Caller
Uriri
Kam U Stay

Best Scripted MNet Original (Additional)
Style Magnate
Skillers (The Builders Show)
Ebuka Turns Up Africa
Wa Mikele? (Forever?)
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine

Best Unscripted MNet Original
Inside Life
Seven Doors
Princess On A Hill
Cheta’M
Roses & Ivy

Best Unscripted MNet Original (Additional)
Pastor Wants a Wife Zambia
Overall Best
Husband Material
The Queens of Kopala
Nigerian Idol

Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
Lisabi: The Uprising
Kaka
Anikulapo: The Rise of the Spectre
Mai Martaba
Seven Doors

Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
The Caller
Empty Grave
Makosa ni Yangu
Sabotage
Wa Milele (Forever?)

Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)
The Vow
Mwizukanji
Walvis Tale
Man of Gold
Lukas

Best Indigenous MNet Original
The Caller
Show Me The Way
Ebighi Ebi
Subterranea
Mai Shayi
Onye Agbata Obim
Amoanimaa’s Era

Best Short Film
Brukaci
What are You Truly Afraid Of
In Bloom: Afefe
The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Seyi Ajayi
Sukari

Best Supporting Actress
Tina Mba (Suspicion)
Ireti Doyle (All’s Fair in Love)
Teniola Aladese (A Night in 2005)
Ini Dima Okojie (Skeleton Coast)
Mercy Aigbe (Farmer’s Bride)
Omoni Oboli (Wives on Strike 3)
Darasimi Nadi (Aburo)
Meg Otanwa (Inside Life)

Best Lead Actor
Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising)
Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors)
Stan Nze (Suspicion)
Bimbo Manuel (Princess on a Hill)
Thapelo Makoena (Skeleton Coast)
Femi Branch (House of Gaa)
Bucci Franklin (The Weekend)
Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo)

Best Lead Actress
Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
Hilda Dokubo (Wives on Strike 3)
Uzoamaka Aniunoh (Phoenix Fury)
Uche Montana (Thin Line)
Uzoamaka Onuoha (Agemo)
Gbubemi Ejeye (Farmer’s Bride)
Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors)

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

Best Cinematography
Agemo (Papama Tangela)
Lisabi (Barnye Emordi, Nora Awolowo)
Soft Love (Ebrahim Hajee)
Skeleton Coast (Wesley Johnston)
Vagabond Queen (Leo Purman)
Inkabi (Chuanne Blofield)
This is Our Land (Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, Apagnawen Annankra)

Best Editing
Christmas in Lagos (Martini Akande)
Skeleton Coast (Jordan Koen)
Soft Love (Holmes Awa, Paballo Modingoane)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Anthill Studios)
Inkabi (Tongai Furusa)
Princess on a Hill (Laughter Ephraim, Peter Ugbede)

Best Sound Design
Freedom Way (Ahuura Andrew, Olushola Wilson)
Seven Doors (Tolu Obanro, Pius Fatoke, Adam Songbird)
Lisabi (Tolu Obanro, Bode Odeyemi)
Inkabi (Vaugn Philips)
Ajakaju (Adam Songbird, Pius Fatoke)
Suspicion (Michael Botha, Olaosebikan Okonrende)

Best Score/Music
Inkabi (Seoli Bongani Mashaba)
Freedom Way (Ahuura Andrew, Kehinde Alabi, Cobhams Asuquo)
Seven Doors (Tolu Obanro)
Soft Love (Kolade Morakinyo, Efa Iwara)
Skeleton Coast (Chris Letcher)

Best Art Direction
Christmas in Lagos (Joy Kadiri)
Farmer’s Bride (Daniel Okoi)
Seven Doors (Tunji Afolayan)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Soliu Badu, Ayanmo Yakub)
The Man Died (Theo Lawson)
Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre (Kunle Afolayan, Soliu Afolabi)

Best Makeup
Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre (Hakeem Onilogbo)
Lisabi (Hakeem Onilogbo)
Seven Doors (Hakeem Onilogbo)
Inside Life (Kpoudosu Winifred)
Suspicion (Tracy Izogie, Adeleke Toluwalase Maigari)
Farmer’s Bride (Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy)

Best Costume Design
Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre (Toyin Ogundeji)
House of Gaa (BAP, Yolanda Okereke, Gloria Ovu)
Lisabi (Toyin Balogun, Oyebade Adedimeji)
Phoenix Fury (Opeyemi Sogeke)
Christmas in Lagos (Adedamola Adeyemi)

Best Writing in a TV Series
Tuki? (Louise Kamwangi)
Untying Kantai (Abel Mutua Muysoka)
Roses and Ivy (Biodun Stephen, Abimbola Akinrinbola)
Anikulapo Rise of The Spectre (Sola Dada)
Princess on a Hill (Bibi Ukpo, Niyi Adeniji, Sonia Nwosu)
Cheta’M (Ifeanyi Barbara Chidi)
Seven Doors (Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye, SoyomboOluyombo Oluwagbemiga)

The AMVCA has been instrumental in elevating African cinema globally, providing a platform for both established and emerging talents. The ceremony, set to take place in May 2025 in Lagos, Nigeria, promises to be a spectacular event, celebrating not just the winners but the entire African film industry.

The nominations reflect a year of exceptional storytelling, with films like Seven Doors leading with nine nominations, followed closely by Lisabi: The Uprising with seven. These films have captivated audiences with their compelling narratives and outstanding performances.

The AMVCA also recognizes digital content creators, highlighting their influence on contemporary storytelling. Nominees include Iyo Prosper Adokiye, Taaooma, and Elozonam Ogbolu, among others.

The AMVCA 2025 nominations are a celebration of African creativity and innovation. As the continent continues to produce exceptional films and television series, these awards serve as a testament to the power of storytelling in Africa. Whether you're a fan of drama, comedy, or digital content, there's something for everyone in this year's lineup.