NOLLYWIRE EDITORIAL
AMVCA 2025 Winners: The Full List
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) made its return for its 11th edition. More than just a glamorous evening of fashion and fanfare, the AMVCAs have grown to become a cultural touchstone, celebrating the artistry, innovation, and diversity of African film and television.
This year’s ceremony was a vivid reflection of an industry on the rise. From sweeping epics like ‘Lisabi: The Uprising’ to introspective dramas such as ‘Freedom Way’, the nominated films and shows reminded audiences of the power of African stories to stir emotion, ignite conversation, and capture the complexity of life on the continent.
The event also spotlighted a wave of talent, both seasoned and new. Chioma Akpotha and Femi Adebayo earned Lead Actor honours for their gripping performances in 'Seven Doors’, while emerging names like Meg Otanwa and Blessing Uzzi proved that the future of African storytelling is in confident, capable hands.
Notably, 'Lisabi: The Uprising' emerged as the biggest winner of the night, taking home multiple awards, including Best Indigenous Language Film and Best Costume Design. This win underscored the film’s monumental impact on the industry, showcasing how African historical narratives are continuing to resonate with audiences and critics alike.
Another standout from the evening was 'Seven Doors’, which dominated the acting categories, with Chioma Akpotha and Femi Adebayo bagging the Best Lead Actress and Best Lead Actor awards, respectively. This recognition solidified the film’s place as a significant force in the year’s cinematic offerings. Furthermore, the evening was not just about the stars on-screen but also the behind-the-scenes talent, with awards for Best Director, Best Cinematography , and Best Editing acknowledging the meticulous craft that shapes each film’s success.
The AMVCA 2025 also saw a growing recognition of new voices and innovative storytelling, particularly in the digital space. Films like ‘The Weekend’ and ‘Suspicion highlighted the emerging blend of traditional African narratives with more contemporary formats, offering a fresh look at the future of African cinema.
Whether it was technical brilliance in cinematography and editing or the nuanced power of screenwriting and performance, the AMVCA 2025 recognised the sheer range of creative excellence that defines African entertainment.
Here’s a full breakdown of the winners and nominees.
Best Picture
Freedom Way — WINNER
Lisabi: The Uprising Skeleton Coast Suspicion Inkabi House of Ga’a Christmas in Lagos Farmer’s Bride
Best Director
Awam Amkpa – The Man Died — WINNER
Robert O Peters – Skeleton Coast Norman Maake – Inkabi Bolanle Austen-Peters – House of Ga’a Daniel Emeka Oriahi – The Weekend Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors
Best Lead Actress
Chioma Akpotha – Seven Doors — WINNER
GbugbemI Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo Uche Montana – Thinline Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury Hilda Dokudo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3 Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre
Best Lead Actor
Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors — WINNER
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 Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Supporting Actress
Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride — WINNER
Meg Otanwa – Inside Life Tina Mba – Suspicion Ireti Doyle – All’s Fair in Love Ini Dima-Okojie – Skeleton Coast Omoni Oboli – The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3 Darasimi Nnadi – Aburo
Best Supporting Actor
Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life — WINNER
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni – 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 Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill
Best Writing TV Series
Untying Kantai — Abel Mutua Musyoka — WINNER
Tuki? — Louise Kamwangi Roses and Ivy — Biodun Stephen and Abimbola Akinrinbola Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Shola Dada Princess on A Hill — Bibi Ukpo, Niyi Adeniji, and Sonia Nwosu Cheta’M — Ifeanyi Chidi Barbara Seven Doors — Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye, and Soyombo-Oluyombo Oluwagbemiga
Best Writing in a Movie
Freedom Way — Blessing Uzzi — WINNER
The Weekend — Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, Vanessa Kanu, and Frederick O. Anyaebunam Jnr Skeleton Coast — Omolola Lamikanra Phoenix Fury — Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo A Ghetto Love Story — Victoria Eze House of Ga’a — Tunde Babalola Christmas In Lagos — Jadesola Osiberu
Brukaci — WINNER
Sukari What Are You Really Afraid Of? In Bloom: ‘Afefe’ The Incredible Sensational Fiancee of Seyi Ajayi
Best Cinematography
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos — Leo Purman — WINNER
Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) — Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa, and Apagnawen Annankra Inkabi — Chuanne Blofield Skeleton Coast — Wesley Johnston Soft Love — Ebrahim Hajee Lisabi: The Uprising — Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo Agemo — Papama Tangela
Best Costume Design
Adedamola Adeyemi – Christmas In Lagos — WINNER
Toyin Ogundeji – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre Bolanle Austen- Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, Gloria Oyu – House Of Ga’a Oluwatoyin Balogun, Oyeade Adeimpe Adedimeji – Lisabi: The Uprising Opeyemi Sogeke – Phoenix Fury Adedamola Adeyemi – Christmas In Lagos
Best Sound/Sound Design
Suspicion — WINNER
Inkabi Seven Doors Freedom Way Lisabi: The Uprising Ajakaju: Beast Of Two Worlds
Best Editing
Inkabi — Tongai Furusa — WINNER
Christmas in Lagos — Martini Akande Skeleton Coast — Jordan Koen Soft Love — Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane Lisabi: The Uprising — Anthill Studios Princess on A Hill — Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede
Best Makeup
Lisabi: The Uprising — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) — WINNER
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) Seven Doors — Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — Kpoudosu Winifred Suspicion — Tracy Izogie and Adeleke Toluwulashe Maigari Farmer’s Bride — Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy
Best Art Direction
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre Christmas In Lagos Farmer’s Bride Seven Doors The Man Died
Best Unscripted Series
Wa Milele? (Forever) — WINNER
Style Magnate Skillers (The Builders Show) Ebuka Turns Up Africa Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine
Best Scripted Series
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life — WINNER
Seven Doors Princess On A Hill Cheta’M Roses & Ivy
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Onye Agbata Obim — WINNER
Mai Shayi The Caller Show Me The Way Ebighi Ebi Subterranea Amoanimaa’s Era
Best Scripted M-Net Original
My Fairytale Wedding — WINNER
Uriri All Mine Italo The Caller Kam U Stay
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Mwizukanji — WINNER
Walvis Tale The Vow Man of Gold Lukas
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Makosa Di Tangu — WINNER
The Caller Sabotage Wa Milele? (Forever)
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Lisabi: The Uprising — WINNER
Seven Doors Kaka Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre Mai Martaba
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Everything Light Touches (West Africa) — WINNER
Gone (West Africa) The Immersive Alarm (East Africa) Deadbeat (East Africa) Mwananga (Southern Africa) Rivals in Time (Southern Africa)
Best Digital Content Creator
Iyo Prosper — WINNER
Jide ‘Pounds’ Ibitoye (Jide Pounds) Dorcas Ariyiike Owolagba (Ariyi ike Dimples) Elozonam Maryam Apaokagi (Taaooma)
Trailblazer Award
Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Award
Sani Mu’azu Nkem Owoh