The Herd and Gingerrr Lead 12th AMVCA Nominations
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has released its 12th edition shortlist, with Gingerrr and The Herd securing nine nominations each. The announcement, broadcast live on Sunday, marks the start of the most prestigious cycle in African cinema. Veteran actress Joke Silva will head the jury, lending her authoritative weight to the selection process. To Kill A Monkey followed closely with eight nods, while My Father’s Shadow earned seven. These productions dominated the technical and acting categories, signalling a high-water mark for regional storytelling.
Acting veteran Sola Sobowale achieved a rare double feat, securing nominations in both the lead and supporting categories. She is joined in the multi-nomination ranks by Uzor Arukwe and Lateef Adedimeji, reflecting a year where seasoned talent held its ground. Meanwhile, Genoveva Umeh earned her first Best Lead Actress nomination, marking a significant shift toward a new generation of performers. The jury-led categories now account for 18 of the 32 awards, as the organisers lean more heavily on professional peer review.
The public voting window opened at 8 p.m. on Sunday via the official Africa Magic portal. Fans will decide the winners of 11 categories, while three special recognition awards remain at the discretion of the organisers. This hybrid voting system continues to balance popular appeal with critical rigour. The May 9 ceremony is expected to be the most competitive in the event’s history. Every major production house in Lagos is now mobilising for the final push.
Headline sponsor Don Julio returns for this edition, underscoring the growing commercial viability of the Nigerian film industry. The technical craftsmanship displayed in The Herd and Gingerrr suggests that production values are finally catching up to creative ambition. Analysts expect a tight race for Best Director, where the top-nominated films will likely clash. The prestige associated with an AMVCA win remains the industry’s highest internal currency.
The role of Joke Silva as jury lead is a tactical move to ensure the awards maintain their “authoritative” status. As the industry scales, the need for transparent and expert-led judging becomes more acute. Her panel will oversee the bulk of the technical awards, which often serve as a barometer for the continent’s cinematic health. The upcoming weeks will see a flurry of screenings and campaigns as nominees vie for the statuette.
The ceremony on Saturday, May 9, 2026, will serve as the climax of this awards season. With 32 categories in play, the night promises a comprehensive survey of African filmic achievement. For many nominees, the nod alone is a career-defining moment. For the winners, it is an entry into the elite tier of the continent’s cultural ambassadors.