The 9th edition of the AMVCAs is here!
In the cinematic world, movies and TV shows are therapeutic and tell a huge story which gives the audience something to learn and live from.
Here comes the African Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCAs) 2023, Africa’s biggest visual entertainment award ceremony. The anticipation for this year’s edition is top-notch, and it is incredible to see how African visual entertainment has taken to a mainstream level over the year.
The Biggest Nominations of the AMVCAs 2023.
The nominations came rolling in, and here are your favourites who made the list.
Anikulapo, directed and written by industry icon Kunle Afolayon, has a groundbreaking record of 16 nominations, followed by Brotherhood, directed by the talented Jade Osiberu, which bagged a total of 11 nominations tying with the limited series that held the number one position on Netflix for weeks Shanty Town by Chineye Chichi Nworah.
Anikulapo, Brotherhood, and Shanty Town were our mainstream riders towards African television thriving to its peak as Nollywood continues to bring the heat birthed from our culture and showcases re-emerging and new talents.
Other movies like Battle on the Buka Street, written and directed by phenomenal actress Funke Akindele, came in with ten (10) nominations and Femi Adebayo’s King of Thieves (Agesinkole), with eight (8) nominations.
These were the biggest turnout for the nominations.
The Biggest Snubs of the AMVCAs 2023.
With the excitement over the expected nominations came dampened moods over unexpected snubs at the AMVCAs 2023.
Year to year, there is always that movie, series, or individual who gets drilled out during the AMVCAs, and it is not just with the AMVCAs. It also happened during the recent Academy Awards. The Oscars felt the heat after Angela Bassett was snubbed despite her epic and brilliant performance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This caused some rage on social media following disappointment from fans.
Within the awards consideration year, movies produced and directed in Nollywood were top-notch. It is sad for some fans whose favourite stars missed out on nominations even after seeing the stats of the films look promising and achieve a great audience scale in demand.
The very much unexpected snub for the year was Kunle Remi, whom many expected to make it to the Best Actor in a Drama category of the list, especially for his performance as the lead actor in Anikulapo, a film which in itself bagged sixteen (16) nominations.
Other fans’ favourites which did not make it into this year’s award considerations include Blood Sisters, Blood Covenant, Otiti, The Wildflower, Obara’m, Ile Owo, Palava and Jolly Roger.
The limited series: Blood Sisters was the first original drama thriller series which scored overboard by audiences and received positive praise for the acting, cinematography, locations and costume. This was one dope series that gave the Nollywood universe and African television a new wave in acting and storytelling, not just telling a story but sticking to it. The series was a great one. Was it not eligible, or did they not submit it? Many questions run through the minds of fans.
The movie: Blood Covenant was also a smashing hit thriller horror drama in the Nollywood universe. The acting and cinematography were top-notch. The movie portrayed a lot. It told great life lessons.
The movie: Otiti was also an interesting and educative movie. It connects with life in some ways and journeys the viewers in a different perspective that is new and worthwhile. The movie is deep-rooted in African culture and tells a huge story. This is a huge snub by the AMVCA. Other movies like The Wildflower, with its interesting storyline and great acting, Obara’m, which was an intriguing film, with Nancy Isime bodying her role perfectly, Ile Owo, also a great movie filled with a great cast and storyline and Palava, a family drama filled with love, laughter and drama, also missed out. It was a great movie. The cinematography was excellent.
The movie: Jolly Roger was an exquisite and exceptional watch. The storyline depicts the Nigerian system and culture. This movie was also snubbed. The acting and characters were all on point, and it beats fans to say, why was it not nominated?
The series: Far from Home also raises the same questions among fans. Was it not eligible? Or was it not submitted? Although it got mixed reviews from critics, it was a decent watch.
All of these snubs do not change the fact that these movies, the actors, and the series put on a great show. The performances were brilliant, and they all, individually and collectively, moved the wave in projecting Nollywood to the world. If you have not seen them, this is an opportunity to watch them all.
Our Prediction of Winners for the AMVCAs 2023 in the Top Categories.
The biggest nominations always win, but this time, voters and fans are looking deep into movies that tell a story, and we can say, categorically, that it is a tricky one predicting which movie, actor, or series will go home with a win; but we will give it a go.
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Adokiye Horsfall (Romeo WJ) – Inside Life
Charles Etubiebi – Just Friends
Charles Inojie – City Hustler
Chinedu Ikedieze – Aki and PawPaw
Kunle Idowu – Unintentional
Nedu Ani (Nedu Wazobia) – Inside Life
Nkem Owoh – Battle On Buka Street ( Winner )
Nosa Afolabi – The Razz Guy
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Inside Life
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Survivors
Nkem Owoh, popularly known as Osuofia is an incredible and unique actor. He is a very funny one and always comes with the heat each time he is on set. He may go home with this, and as it will be his first, it was about time he received accolades for his incredible performance in this movie and also since his acting career.
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Trade
Chidi Mokeme – Shanty Town
Chimezie Imo – Choke
Daniel Etim-Effiong – Kofa
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
NKakalukanyi Patriq – Tembele
O.C. Ukeje – Black Mail
Richard Mofe Damijo – Four Four Forty Four
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood ( winner )
Tope Tedela – All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White
This category is a tough one. We got to see these actors portray these roles almost perfectly. The Trade was a great movie. Blossom Chukwuejekwu bodied the role. However, the prediction for this category is set on Tobi Bakre.
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY- (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Albert Oluwatoyin – Visa On Arrival
Bimbo Ademoye – Selina ( winner)
Roselyn Ngissah – Red Carpet
Funke Akindele – Battle On Buka Street
Grace Wacuka – Married to Work
Mercy Johnson – Battle On Buka Street
Mercy Johnson Okogie – Passport
This is also a tough one and they all acted well.
The actresses in this category are all versatile and put in a lot of effort. Bimbo Ademoye is an entertainer in acting comedy movies. It might all come down to Mercy Johnson Okojie winning.
BEST OVERALL MOVIE – AFRICA
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Funke Akindele – Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu – Brotherhood
Kayode Kasum – Ile Owo
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo ( winner )
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi – Four Four Forty Four
Another tough category and only time will tell.
Anikulapo was a tale that needed to be told. The acting, cinematography and the entire concept of building a film village for this movie set itself was a blast. It deserves the win.
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Public Voting
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo
Enado Odigie – Flawsome
Immaculata Oko Kasum – Ile Owo
Ini Dima-Okojie – Flawsome
Ini Edo – Shanty Town
Nimo Loveline – The Planters Plantation
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Shanty Town (winner)
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Queen Nwokoye – Strained
Scarlet Gomez – Wura
What a great lineup.
Another tough category with brilliant and unique actresses on the line. Nse showed another side of her in her Shanty Town character, and it is something we do not get to see all the time.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal
Bucci Franklin – The Razz Guy
James Webbo – County 49
Jeff Roberts Walusimbi – Bedroom Chains
O.C. Ukeje – Brotherhood ( winner )
Taiwo Hassan – Anikulapo
Yinka Quadri – Anikulapo
Another tough one, but let us see how it goes. It was quite a downer not seeing Folarin Falana (Falz ) in this category.
O.C. Ukeje also bodied his role greatly.
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Dorcas Shola Fapson – Man of God
Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four
Gina Castel – Kofa
Ivie Okujaye – On Your Own
Sola Sobowale – Anikulapo
Teniola Aladese – Love in a Pandemic
Toni Tones – Brotherhood ( winner )
Man of God was an incredible movie with super-talented actors and actresses. This was a movie that very much stood out. Dorcas’ performance in this movie was incredible. A natural who killed her role effortlessly. She deserves the win, and we are hoping to see her much more on our screens.
BEST DIRECTOR
Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Babatunde Apalowo – All The Colours of the World are between Black and White
Bolanle Austen – Peters Man of God
Dimeji Ajibola – Shanty Town
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Loukman Ali – Brotherhood ( winner )
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Obi Emelonye – Black Mail
Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, James Omokwe – Diiche
The directing for Brotherhood was epic. This was a badass debut action thriller by Nollywood. Ali did a great job!
These are the top categories out of the many categories that were called out. Movies like Anikulapo, Brotherhood, and Shanty Town are headed on a slim lane. It will be a tough one, and fans are putting in their all to make sure their faves win in the public voting categories and other categories.
The AMVCAs 2023 ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, and as expected, it will be a night of bliss, glitz and glamour.
Below is the list of AMVCAs 2023 Nominees:
BEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Adokiye Horsfall (Romeo WJ) – Inside Life
Charles Etubiebi – Just Friends
Charles Inojie – City Hustler
Chinedu Ikedieze – Aki and PawPaw
Kunle Idowu – Unintentional
Nedu Ani (Nedu Wazobia) – Inside Life
Nkem Owoh – Battle On Buka Street
Nosa Afolabi – The Razz Guy
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Inside Life
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) – Survivors
BEST ACTOR IN A DRAMA (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Blossom Chukwujekwu – The Trade
Chidi Mokeme – Shanty Town
Chimezie Imo – Choke
Daniel Etim-Effiong – Kofa
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
NKakalukanyi Patriq – Tembele
O.C. Ukeje – Black Mail
Richard Mofe Damijo – Four Four Forty Four
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood
Tope Tedela – All The Colours Of The World Are Between Black and White
BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY- (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Albert Oluwatoyin – Visa On Arrival
Bimbo Ademoye – Selina
Roselyn Ngissah – Red Carpet
Funke Akindele – Battle On Buka Street
Grace Wacuka – Married to Work
Mercy Johnson – Battle On Buka Street
Mercy Johnson Onogie – Passport
THE MULTICHOICE TALENT FACTORY FILM
A Quiet Intruder
Cheza
Leaked
Revisit
Stinger
Strings
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – SWAHILI – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Daniel Manege – Mpiganaji
Freddy Feruzi – Dau
Malcom Hamisi – Barakatatu
Philip Karanja Njenga – Click Click Bang
Phoebe Ruguru & Njue Kevin – Safari
Wilson Nkya – Mvanmizi – The Intruder
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi – Frida
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE YORUBA (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Funmi Bank Anthony Abdullahi Abdulrasaq Abebi Seranko Seniyan
Karamot Adeboye – Morenikeji
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Okusanya Bayonle Samson – Mr Raji
Ololade Tijani-Ebong – Ogeere
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – HAUSA – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abubakar Bashir Maishadda – Aisha
Evans Ejiogu – Kwana Casa’in
Nancy Yiljep – Guzama
Ty Shaban – Lulu Da Andalu
BEST INDIGENOUS LANGUAGE – IGBO – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Brown Ene, Victor Onwudiwe, Ben Cassie – Ifediche
Shileold A. Ibironke – Ijeoma
Shileold A. Ibironke – Ego Mbute
Trinity Ugonabo – The Bride Price (imego)
Victor Iyke – Uhuruchi
BEST OVERALL MOVIE – AFRICA
Femi Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Funke Akindele – Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu – Brotherhood
Kayode Kasum – Ile Owo
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi – Four Four Forty Four
BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Public Voting
Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo
Enado Odigie – Flawsome
Immaculata Oko Kasum – Ile Owo
Ini Dima-Okojie – Flawsome
Ini Edo – Shanty Town
Nimo Loveline – The Planters Plantation
Nse Ikpe-Etim – Shanty Town
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Queen Nwokoye – Strained
Scarlet Gomez – Wura
BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal
Bucci Franklin – The Razz Guy
James Webbo – County 49
Jeff Roberts Walusimbi – Bedroom Chains
O.C. Ukeje – Brotherhood
Taiwo Hassan – Anikulapo
Yinka Quadri – Anikulapo
BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS – (MOVIE/TV SERIES) – Public Voting
Dorcas Shola Fapson – Man of God
Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four
Gina Castel – Kofa
Ivie Okujaye – On Your Own
Sola Sobowale – Anikulapo
Teniola Aladese – Love in a Pandemic
Toni Tones – Brotherhood
BEST SHORT FILM – Public Voting
Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire
Gbenga Salu – Convictus
Nkem Nwaturuocha – The Song Maiden
Teniola Zara King – Teju’s Tale
Usama Mukwaya, Loukman Ali – Sixteen Rounds
Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Love Language
Victor Onwudiwe, Goodnews Erico Isika – Away
BEST ONLINE SOCIAL CONTENT CREATOR – Public Voting
Abiola – VIP Bathroom
Adeaga Bukunmi – Fake Alert with Mercy Johnson
Bimbo Ademoye – Iya Barakat Teropi Secxxion
Edem Victor – The Activist
Elozonam , Kie Kie – Back From The Future
Isbae U – My Sweet Mother In-law
Kenzy Udosen – Quick Pronunciations
Oluwadolarz and Abayomi Alvin – Soldiers at War (Compilation)
Steve Chuks – Husband’s Side Chick
Tee Kuro – Nollywood Epic Love Story Parody (The Finale)
BEST ORIGINAL TELENOVELA – Public Voting
Covenant
Dede
Huba
Itura
Mahinga
Maida
Mpali
Prestige
Salem
BEST UNSCRIPTED ORIGINAL – Public Voting
Come Play Naija
Judging Matters
Kan-See-Me
King Bugar
Off Air with Gbemi & Tools
Rock that Aisle Again
Sakofa
BEST ORIGINAL COMEDY SERIES – Public Voting
Co-Habits
Flatmates
Mussulando
My Siblings and I
Njoro Wa Uba
Popi
RSM
The Johnsons
The Return of Original Comedy
Uncle Limbani
BEST ORIGINAL DRAMA SERIES – Public Voting
An Infiltrada
Accra Medics
Dirty Laundry
Junior Drama Club
Njila
Pazia
Pete
Ricordi
The Rishantes
To Have and To Hold
Unmarried
BEST ART DIRECTOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Olalekan Isiaka – Shanty Town
Olatunji Afolayan – Battle On Buka Street
Olugbenga Ogunshina and Joy Kadiri – Brotherhood
Pat Nebo & Temple Chima Adighije – Crime & Justice
Toka Mcbaror – Almajiri
Uche Nwaohiri & Tunde Lawal – Diiche
Wale Adeleke – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)
BEST COSTUME DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adeola Art-Alade – The Real Housewives of Lagos Reunion Episode
Bolanle Austen-Peters, Clement Effanga, Juliana Dede – Man of God
Bunmi Fashina, Tiannah Empire & Secrets of April – Shanty Town
Ezugworie Franca – Brotherhood
Kingsley Okoye Rex – Nnewi The Land of Gold
Millicent Jack – Four Four Forty Four
Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo
BEST LIGHTING DESIGNER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Francis Wanyahdeh – Crime & Justice
Francis Wanyahdeh & Ebuka Enejere – Diiche
Godwin Lawal – Tarella
Ismail Adewunmi – Ile Owo
Lanre Omofaiye – Anikulapo
Mathew Yusuf – Brotherhood
Muri Salami – Four Four Forty Four
Renaldo Van Den Berg, Emmanuel Patrick, David Otuokere – Real Housewives of Lagos
Segun Adeleke – Flawsome
Walter Odhiambo – Shanty Town
BEST PICTURE EDITOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Banjo Onyekachi, Winston Aig-Ohioma, Oluwaseun Adeosun – Diiche
Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom – Crime & Justice
Kimera Paul – Tembele
Martini Akande – Brotherhood
Sanjo Adegoke – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Steve Sodiya – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Temitope Folarin – Anikulapo
Valentine Chukwuma – Battle on Buka Street
BEST SOUND EDITOR – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Anu Afolayan – Anikulapo
Dare Olaitan, Adio Solanke – Ile Owo
Fredrick Karumba – Click Click Bang
Grey Jones – The Set Up 2
Ismail Kyobe Ssebowa – Bedroom Chains
Kazeem Agboola – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Kolade Kayode Morakinyo – Shanty Town
Kolade Morakinyo, Pius Fatoke – Battle On Buka Street
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
Shiloh Godson – Black Mail
BEST SOUND TRACK – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Abiola Olayinka, Habeeb Adebayo – L.I.F.E.
Adam Songbird and Tolu Obanro – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Gbas Gbos by Tolu Obanro and Adam Songbird – Battle on Buka Street
Jaysynths and Hotkid – Shanty Town
Joel Christian Goffin – Black Mail
Kent Edunjobi – Anikulapo
Q Rodney Abia, Angelo Anosike, Kayode Kasum – Obara’ M
Carina SFX – The Trade
Feyzo Artistry – Ile Owo
Francisca Otaigbe – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Anikulapo
Hakeem Effects Onilogbo, Jemila Sedik – Battle on Buka Street
Maryam Ndukwe , Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Shanty Town
Sandra Oyiana-Ogbeni – Tarella
BEST WRITER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Funke Akindele, Jack’enneth Opukeme, Stephen Oluboyo, Jemine Edukugho – Battle on Buka Street
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Sodi Kurubo, Stephanie Dadet and Victor Aghahowa – Diiche (Episode 5)
Sola Dada – Anikulapo
Tunde Apalowo and Jeffery Musa David – Kanaani
Uche Ateli – Choke
Yinka Laoye – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
BEST CINEMATOGRAPHER – (MOVIE/TV SERIES)
Charles Oleghe – Diiche
Ekuka Ishaq – Tembele
Idowu Adedapo – Ijakumo the Born Again Stripper
Idowu Adedapo (Mr Views) – Flawsome
Jonathan Kovel – Shanty Town
Jonathan Kovel – Anikulapo
Loukman Ali – Brotherhood
Mex Ossai, Philip Okpokoro, Esmond Igho, KC Obiajulu, Goke Oyerinde – Real Housewives of Lagos
Paul Gambit – Jolly Roger
Yinka Edward – Crime & Justice
BEST MOVIE SOUTHERN AFRICA
Elvis Chucks – Jewel
Emmanuel Mwape – Silver Lining
Leburugraphy – Ke Bona Spoko
BEST MOVIE EAST AFRICA
Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga
Elenor Nabwiso – Karamoja
Gashumba Emmanuel – Dial M for Maya
Hassan Mageye – Bedroom Chains
Lucy Mwangi – Baba Twins
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Nadira Shakur – Married to Work
Omar Hamza – Gacal
Wilson Nkya & Jane Moshi – Frida
Wilson Nkya & Philipo Ngonyani – Mvamizi (The Intruder)
BEST MOVIE WEST AFRICA
Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu
Chris Odeh – Choke
Kayode Kasum Obara’ M
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Rent-A-Studio & Native Media TV – Kanaani
Samira Yakubu – Red Carpet
Winifred Mena Ajakpoviv – Four Four Forty Four
BEST TELEVISION SERIES
Adeola Art-Alade & Dare Art Alade – Real Housewives of Lagos
Bovi Ugboma, Ann Obaseki – Visa On Arrival (Season 1)
Dimbo Atiya, Rahama Sadau, Safina Mellisa – The Plan
Grace Kahaki & Philippe Bresson – Single Kiasi
Ife Olujuyigbe, Kayode Kasum – When are we getting married
James Omokwe – Diiche
Millicent Ogutu – County 49
Tola Odunsi & Akin Akinkugbe – Flawsome
Vincent Nwachukwu – Game On (Season 2)
Yinka Edward – Crime & Justice
BEST DOCUMENTARY
Best Okoduwa – 100 of Us
Charles F. Solomon – Way to the Top
Charles F. Solomon; Oluchi Nsofor; Aaron Olayemi; Famous Odion – Green: The Amazons
Chude Jideonwo – Awaiting Trial
Nathaniel George – Truck Blind Spot
Nora Awolowo – Nigeria-the Debut
Nora Awolowo – Baby Blues
BEST DIRECTOR
Adebayo Tijani and Tope Adebayo – King of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Babatunde Apalowo – All The Colours of the World are between Black and White
Bolanle Austen – Peters Man of God
Dimeji Ajibola – Shanty Town
Jade Osiberu – The Trade
Kunle Afolayan – Anikulapo
Loukman Ali – Brotherhoods
Mugisha Herbert Morris – Tembele
Obi Emelonye – Black Mail
Tolu Ajayi, Fiyin Gambo, Ifeoma Chukwuogo, James Omokwe – Diiche
