The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) took centre stage on Saturday, May 10, 2025, at the iconic Eko Convention Centre in Lagos, and it was nothing short of a cultural spectacle. The prestigious event, hosted by IK Osakioduwa and Osas Ighodaro, celebrated the best in African film and television, bringing together an eclectic mix of industry heavyweights, rising stars, and pop culture icons.
‘Lisabi’ Steals the Spotlight
The night’s biggest winner was Lisabi: The Uprising, the gripping historical epic starring Lateef Adedimeji, who not only produced but also led the cast with a performance that earned him the Best Lead Actor award. The film clinched multiple trophies, including:
- Best Movie – Lisabi: The Uprising
- Best Lead Actor – Lateef Adedimeji
- Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) – Lisabi: The Uprising
- Best Makeup – Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
- Best Art Direction – Lisabi: The Uprising
Lateef’s portrayal of the legendary Yoruba warrior Lisabi earned a standing ovation as the crowd acknowledged the film’s cultural resonance and cinematic excellence.
Other Major Wins
In a surprising but well-deserved victory, Chioma Chukwuka walked away with Best Lead Actress for her emotional performance in Seven Doors, produced by Femi Adebayo. Meanwhile, Robert O. Peters secured the Best Director accolade for his work on Skeleton Coast, a visually ambitious film praised for its technical craft.
Technical Brilliance Recognized
Creative direction wasn’t left out. Christmas in Lagos picked up the Best Costume Design award, thanks to Adedamola Adeyemi’s vibrant reimagining of traditional festive styles. Makeup maestro Hakeem Effect again demonstrated why he remains a staple in the industry, with Lisabi: The Uprising winning in that category as well.
Red Carpet Royalty
Beyond the awards, fashion lit up the night. The AMVCA Best Dressed awards went to Liquorose and Prince Nelson, who each took home ₦1 million for their show-stopping traditional looks. Liquorose stunned in a detailed ensemble that fused heritage with haute couture, while Prince’s homage to the Oba of Benin was bold, regal, and unforgettable.
The 2025 AMVCA was a celebration of how far African cinema has come—and a preview of where it’s going. With legends like Femi Adebayo, Chioma Chukwuka, and newcomers like Lateef Adedimeji taking the spotlight, it’s clear the future of African storytelling is in strong hands.
Here is the comprehensive list of nominees and winners for the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA):
🎬 Film Categories
Best Movie
Nominees:
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Skeleton Coast
- Suspicion
- Inkabi
- House of Ga’a
- Freedom Way
- Christmas in Lagos
- Farmer’s Bride
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Director
Nominees:
- Bolanle Austen-Peters – House of Ga’a
- Norman Maake – Inkabi
- Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors
- Robert O. Peters – Skeleton Coast
- Awam Amkpa – The Man Died
- Daniel Emeke Oriahi – The Weekend
Winner: Robert O. Peters – Skeleton Coast
Best Lead Actor
Nominees:
- Gideon Okeke – Tokunbo
- Bucci Franklin – The Weekend
- Femi Branch – House of Ga’a
- Thapelo Makoena – Skeleton Coast
- Bimbo Manuel – Princess on a Hill
- Stan Nze – Suspicion
- Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
- Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Winner: Lateef Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Lead Actress
Nominees:
- Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
- Gbubemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
- Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
- Uche Montana – Thin Line
- Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
- Hilda Dokubo – Wives on Strike 3
- Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Winner: Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
Best Supporting Actor
Nominees:
- Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
- Adedayo Adebowale – Lisabi: The Uprising
- Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
- Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
- Richard Mofe-Damijo – Christmas in Lagos
- Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
- Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Winner: Adedayo Adebowale – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Supporting Actress
Nominees:
- Meg Otanwa – Inside Life
- Tina Mba – Suspicion
- Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love
- Ini Dima-Okojie – Skeleton Coast
- Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
- Omoni Oboli – Wives on Strike 3
- Darasimi Nadi – Aburo
Winner: Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
🎞️ Technical Categories
Best Cinematography
Nominees:
- Agemo
- Inkabi
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Skeleton Coast
- Soft Love
- The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos
- Yen Ara Asaase Ni
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Editing
Nominees:
- Inkabi – Tongai Furusa
- Christmas in Lagos – Martini Akande
- Skeleton Coast – Jordan Koen
- Soft Love – Holmes Awa, Paballo Modingoane
- Lisabi: The Uprising – Anthill Studios
- Princess on a Hill – Laughter Ephraim, Peter Ugbede
Winner: Skeleton Coast – Jordan Koen
Best Costume Design
Nominees:
- Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
- Christmas in Lagos
- House of Ga’a
- Lisabi: The Uprising
Winner: Christmas in Lagos
Best Makeup
Nominees:
- Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
- Inside Life
- Farmer’s Bride
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Seven Doors
- Suspicion
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Art Direction
Nominees:
- The Man Died
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Christmas in Lagos
- Seven Doors
- Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Sound Design
Nominees:
- Beast of Two Worlds
- Freedom Way
- Inkabi
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Seven Doors
- Suspicion
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Original Score
Nominees:
- Freedom Way
- Seven Doors
- Inkabi
- Skeleton Coast
- Soft Love
Winner: Seven Doors
🌍 Regional & Indigenous Categories
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Nominees:
- Seven Doors
- Lisabi: The Uprising
- Kaka
- Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
- Mai Martaba
Winner: Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Nominees:
- The Caller
- Empty Grave
- Makosa ni Yangu
- Sabotage
- Wa Milele (Forever?)
Winner: The Caller
Best Indigenous Language Film (Southern Africa)
Nominees:
- Walvis Tale
- The Vow
- Mwizukanji
- Man of Gold
- Lukas
Winner: Walvis Tale
📺 Television Categories
Best Scripted Series
Nominees:
- Cheta M
- Roses & Ivy
- Seven Doors
- Princess On A Hill
- Inside Life
WINNER: Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
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