Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards 2025: Full List of Nominees Sparks Intense Reactions

The highly anticipated nominations for the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have been unveiled, setting the stage for what promises to be a fiercely contested battle among Africa’s finest in film, television, and digital content. With projects released between January 1 and December 31, 2024, the selection showcases an impressive array of talent and storytelling prowess across various categories.

Among the standout contenders, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, House of Ga’a, and Freedom Way have emerged as dominant forces, securing multiple nominations, including Best Movie and Best Director.

Top Acting Categories

The Best Lead Actor category is stacked with some of Nollywood’s finest, featuring Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo), Stan Nze (Suspicion), Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors), and Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising). These seasoned actors will battle it out for the prestigious award, each having delivered powerful performances that left audiences in awe.

On the other hand, the Best Lead Actress category sees a stellar lineup, including Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre), and Uche Montana (Thinline), all of whom have been recognized for their compelling roles in some of the year’s most talked-about films.

Fan-Favorite Categories and Industry Buzz

The digital space is also well represented, with the Best Digital Content Creator category featuring talents like Iyo Prosper Adokiye, Maryam Apakagi-Greene, and Elozonam Ogbolu. As social media continues to play a major role in content creation, this category is expected to be one of the most closely watched.

In addition, the Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie category highlights emerging talents from across Africa, reinforcing the AMVCA’s commitment to nurturing young filmmakers. Titles such as Gone (West Africa), Everything Light Touches (West Africa), and The Immersive Alarm (East Africa) made the cut.

Biggest Showdowns and Surprises

The Best Director category is another highlight, with Robert O Peters (Skeleton Coast), Norman Maake (Inkabi), Bolanle Austen-Peters (House of Ga’a), and Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors) competing for the prestigious accolade. With each director bringing a unique touch to their respective films, this category is expected to be highly competitive.

Meanwhile, the Best Movie category features an exciting mix of epic blockbusters and critically acclaimed productions, including Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, Suspicion, Inkabi, House of Ga’a, Freedom Way, and Christmas in Lagos.

Full List of Nominees

Best Digital Content Creator

• Iyo Prosper Adokiye
• Maryam Apakagi-Greene
• Elozonam Ogbolu, Hoviare Freedom, Chiamaka Uzokwe
• Jide Pounds Ibitoye
• Ariyiikedimples, Brain Jotter

Best Movie

• Lisabi: The Uprising
• Skeleton Coast
• Suspicion
• Inkabi
• House of Ga’a
• Freedom Way
• Christmas in Lagos
• Farmer’s Bride

Best Director

• Robert O Peters – Skeleton Coast
• Norman Maake – Inkabi
• Bolanle Austen-Peters – House of Ga’a
• Awam Amkpa – The Man Died
• Daniel Emeka Oriahi – The Weekend
• Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo – Seven Doors

Best Lead Actor

• 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
• Adedimeji Lateef – Lisabi: The Uprising

Best Lead Actress

• Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
• Gbugbemi Ejeye – Farmer’s Bride
• Uzoamaka Onuoha – Agemo
• Uche Montana – Thinline
• Uzoamaka Aniunoh – Phoenix Fury
• Hilda Dokubo – The Uprising: Wives On Strike 3
• Bimbo Ademoye – Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre

(Additional nominees for other categories omitted for brevity.)

What’s Next?

The 2025 AMVCA promises to be a night of glitz, glamour, and well-deserved recognition for the best in African entertainment. With some categories too close to call, fans and industry insiders are eagerly anticipating the final results.

Voting lines are now open, and the audience is encouraged to support their favorite nominees. As the countdown to the awards night begins, the excitement continues to build, with predictions and debates already dominating social media discussions.

Who will take home the prestigious AMVCA trophies? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain—this year’s edition will go down as one of the most competitive and talked-about in the history of the awards.

Tayo Folorunsho Expands Nollywood’s Frontiers with KAP Film and Television Institute Graduation
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Nollywood, Africa’s largest film industry, is witnessing a new wave of transformation as industry professionals seek to refine their expertise and elevate the sector to global standards. In a major development, Tayo Folorunsho, a renowned edutainment entrepreneur and filmmaker, has successfully completed a professional program at the prestigious KAP Film and Television Institute in Lagos.

As the Founder of The Big Break Moment Africa and Head of Operations at EDUTAINMENT FIRST INTERNATIONAL LTD/GTE, Folorunsho has been instrumental in bridging education and entertainment, empowering young creatives, and shaping the future of Nollywood. His latest academic pursuit signals a shift towards business-driven filmmaking, which is crucial for Nollywood’s sustainability and competitiveness on the global stage.

Speaking on his motivation for enrolling at KAP, Folorunsho emphasized the need for filmmakers to go beyond creativity and embrace the business aspects of filmmaking.

“I was desirous of knowing the rudimentary part of the business aspect of filmmaking, beyond just creativity. Nollywood is expanding, and for it to remain competitive globally, we need to understand the financial and structural backbone of the industry. I got that knowledge here at KAP, and I am thoroughly impressed,” he stated.

With Nollywood ranking as the second-largest film industry in the world by output, industry stakeholders are increasingly focusing on enhancing production quality, securing better distribution models, and maximizing revenue streams. Folorunsho’s training at KAP has provided him with the tools to navigate the evolving landscape of global entertainment, positioning him as a key player in Nollywood’s next growth phase.

“This is a milestone for me. It has prepared me to be an all-around movie executive, not just a filmmaker. The experience at KAP has provided me with an A-to-Z understanding of movie-making, positioning me to contribute meaningfully to Nollywood’s future,” he added.

Folorunsho’s graduation reflects a growing trend in Nollywood, where professionals are seeking formal education to refine their craft and improve the industry’s global reputation. With streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime increasing their investment in Nollywood content, there is a greater demand for well-structured, high-quality productions that meet international standards.

As Nollywood expands its influence beyond Africa, the industry must adopt sound business models, better intellectual property protection, and strategic partnerships to maximize its potential. Folorunsho, through his work at EDUTAINMENT FIRST INTERNATIONAL LTD/GTE and The Big Break Moment Africa, is at the forefront of this new movement, inspiring and mentoring emerging creatives.

With his newfound expertise, Folorunsho is expected to spearhead innovative film projects, edutainment initiatives, and strategic collaborations that will shape Nollywood’s future. His approach to filmmaking—one that blends creativity with business intelligence—sets a new standard for how Nollywood professionals should position themselves in a rapidly evolving industry.

As the Nigerian film industry continues to gain recognition on the global stage, leaders like Tayo Folorunsho are proving that education, innovation, and strategic business knowledge are essential to Nollywood’s long-term success. His recent achievement is not just a personal milestone but a testament to Nollywood’s ongoing transformation into a world-class entertainment powerhouse.

Sound: My Driving Passion ~ godmarr

As African music acts continue to dominate global charts and shape the soundscape of modern pop culture, the producers behind the music are stepping into the spotlight. These maestros, each with a unique touch of their own, are driving the evolution of African music into a new era. Here’s a look at the producers set to define 2025.

GodOmarr

Starting his journey at the age of 16 playing drums in church, godOmarr transitioned to producing beats still as a teenager, largely inspired by his creative environment and his friend at the time Yazeed. “I’ve always known the software, but I used to just mess around with it. Watching my guy, Yazeed, use it gave me the ideas I needed,” he shares.

Fast forward to 2024, godOmarr’s portfolio now boasts Falling with Lojay, Visa with Reekado Banks and notably Letting Go with Lojay off Fireboy’s Adedamola. Recalling the session with Lojay and Fireboy, he said, “I wasn’t even sure about playing that beat, but as soon as it came on, the magic just happened. It was all vibes.”

godOmarr is intentional about making music that stands out from most and with his eyes on delivering more projects in 2025 as he tells us, God’Omar is set to be a name we’ll hear a lot more of. As he puts it, “The journey’s just getting started. More stuff coming more stuff coming.”