AMVCA 2026: ‘Gingerrr,’ ‘The Herd, ’ ‘To Kill A Monkey,’ others dominate nominee list [FULL LIST]
Add us on Google The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has unveiled the nominees for its 12th edition, with ‘Gingerrr’ and ‘The Herd’ emerging as the frontrunners, securing nine nominations each in what promises to be a fiercely competitive awards season. The nominations were announced on Sunday, during a live broadcast on Africa Magic channels, hosted by award-winning actor Chimezie Imo. Closely trailing the top contenders are ‘To Kill A Monkey,’ which earned eight nominations, and ‘My Father’s Shadow,’ with seven nominations. Together, these titles reflect what organisers describe as a strong year for African film and television, marked by compelling storytelling, technical excellence, and diverse narratives. Gingerrr and The Herd are two hit Nigerian films from late 2025 that achieved both box-office success and major award recognition. The Herd is a crime thriller about insecurity and kidnapping, directed by Daniel Etim-Effiong, while Gingerrr is a fast-paced Lagos drama about hustlers, directed by Yemi Morafa. Gingerrr earned nearly ₦400 million shortly after release. Mixed grill In the acting categories, a mix of veterans and emerging talents secured nominations. Notably, Sola Sobowale received nominations in both lead and supporting categories, alongside actors such as Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji, who also earned multiple nods. Meanwhile, Genoveva Umeh clinched her first-ever Best Lead Actress nomination, positioning her as one of the talents to watch ahead of the ceremony. Organisers confirmed that voting for public categories opened at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, [29 March] via the official AMVCA website. The awards feature 32 categories: 18 decided by a jury, 11 open to public voting, and three special recognition honours. The 12th edition of the AMVCA is scheduled for Saturday, 9 May 2026, with expectations high for a night celebrating excellence across Africa’s film and television industry. The upcoming edition follows the 11th AMVCA, which saw Freedom Way win Best Movie, while Seven Doors dominated acting, with Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka-Akpotha winning lead roles. Other winners included Awam Amkpa (Best Director), Gabriel Afolayan and Mercy Aigbe (supporting roles), and Kayode Kasum, who received the Trailblazer Award. Full list of 2026 nominees Best Digital Content Creator Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion Elozonam Ogbolu & Genoveva Umeh – Situationally Transmitted Delusion Destiny Ogie Osarewinda – The Marriage List Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom – Leave To Live Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo – The Rate Race Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma) – Luxury Koko Steve Chuks – August Meeting Election Akwaman – Did I Hear Muah Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa) Bet I Love You – Joseph Duke, Keamogetse Modise Sebata: The Beast Ben Made It – Thabang Mathumetse, Thapelo Dikhutso Terra of Queens and Kuma 2 – Neo Leonardo Mokoena Tlhaho Ya Mosadi – Naledi Galane et al. Best Indigenous Language (East Africa) Inside Job – Kamau Wandug’u et al. Sayari – Omar Hamza, June Wairegi Addis Fikir – Leul Shoaferaw My Son – Isarito Mwakalindile Kimote – Hassan Mageye Best Short Film Rise – Jessie J. Rowlands Fleas – Jordy Sank Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo Hussainin – Orire Nwani, Josh Olaoluwa My Body, God’s Temple – Uzoamaka Power Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) The Serpent’s Gift – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi Lisabi: A Legend Is Born – Lateef Adedimeji Labake Olododo – Iyabo Ojo et al. Aljana – Grace Yakubu Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina Best Indigenous Language (North Africa) The Omnipresent – Youssef Ben Khalifa The Delivery – Abdalla Ezyan The Hidden Voice – Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed This Is Portsaid – Abdalla Ezyan Artal Alhanin – Mohamed Awad et al. Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa) Mabanda – Kang Quintus Safou: A Gift From Nature – Nyasha Makamba Golden Spoon – Egbe Francis Ettabrown Best Scripted M-Net Original Adam To Eve Mother of the Brides The Yard The Low Priest Bobo Best Unscripted M-Net Original Nigerian Idol (S10) Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa Chapa Chapa My Love Out N About (Harar) Undugu Best Indigenous M-Net Original Inimba Kukoyi Undugu Out N’ About (Harar) Kampala Creme (S2) The Chocolate Empire Mgbuka Best Supporting Actress Linda Ejiofor – The Herd Olamide Kidbaby – Oversabi Aunty Bisola Aiyeola – Gingerrr Sola Sobowale – The Covenant Series Nadia Dutch – Aljana Amal Umar – The Herd Juliebrenda Nyambura – MTV Shuga Mashariki Funke Akindele – Behind The Scene Best Lead Actor Mike Ezuruonye – Oversabi Aunty Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: A Legend Is Born William Benson – To Kill A Monkey Kanayo O. Kanayo – Grandpa Must Obey Khumbuza Meyiwa – Bet I Love You Uzor Arukwe – Colours of Fire Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes Femi Branch – Red Circle Best Cinematography My Father’s Shadow To Kill A Monkey The Herd Finding Nina The Serpent’s Gift Stitches Gingerrr Best Art Direction The Serpent’s Gift The Herd Colours of Fire Aljana Suky Inimba Best Documentary Beyond Olympic Glory The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat The People Shall Not Addressing This Anymore BOU Best Score/Music My Father’s Shadow 3 Cold Dishes Osamede Gingerrr The Party MTV Shuga Mashariki To Kill A Monkey Best Writing (TV Series) The Wives MTV Shuga Mashariki Our Husband Addis Fikir Baba Oh The Party Gizat Best Writing (Movie) The Herd My Father’s Shadow Blackout Cards On The Table Gingerrr Suky 3 Cold Dishes Best Costume Design The Serpent’s Gift The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 Colours of Fire Something About The Briggs To Kill A Monkey Best Sound Design My Father’s Shadow Gingerrr Ben Made It The Party Sebata (The Beast) The Herd Best Series (Scripted) To Kill A Monkey The Yard The Chocolate Empire Inimba Kash Money Best Make-up Behind The Scenes Lisabi: A Legend Is Born Gingerrr Abanisete Warlord Suky Labake Olododo Best Lead Actress Linda Ejiofor – The Serpent’s Gift Bimbo Akintola – To Kill A Monkey Ifeoma Fafunwa – The Lost Days Ariyike Owolagba – Something About The Briggs Sola Sobowale – Her Excellency Scarlet Gomez – Behind The Scenes Genoveva Umeh – The Herd Gloria Anozie-Young – Mother of the Brides Best Supporting Actor Simileoluwa Hassan – The Yard Lateef Adedimeji – Gingerrr Gabriel Afolayan – Colours of Fire Bucci Franklin – To Kill A Monkey Femi Adeboye – Agesinkole 2 Femi Branch – Red Circle Uzor Arukwe – Behind The Scenes READ ALSO: Joke Silva named head judge as AMVCA unveils 12th Edition Best Director Akinola Davies Jr – My Father’s Shadow Tunde Kelani – Cordelia James Kalu Omokwe – Osamede Daniel Etim-Effiong – The Herd Yemi Morafa – Gingerrr Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes Best Editing Cordelia My Father’s Shadow Landline 3 Cold Dishes Osamede To Kill A Monkey Best Movie Gingerrr The Herd My Father’s Shadow 3 Cold Dishes The Serpent’s Gift Behind The Scenes Best Series (Unscripted) The Real Housewives of Lagos S3 Nigerian Idol S10 Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa Offair With Gbemi and Toolz Out N’ About (Harar) Share this: Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window) Telegram Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email Click to print (Opens in new window) Print