The African Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) concluded its 12th edition at the Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos in May 2026, and Linda Ejiofor – Suleiman emerged as the night’s standout performer. Out of the seven nominees who were selected for the Best Lead Actress and supporting role, she won both awards, making this the first in history. 

She was named Best Lead Actress for her exceptional performance in the Igbo-language drama, “The Serpent’s Gift,” directed by Kayode Kasum, which explored themes of Eastern Nigerian heritage and family inheritance. Her portrayal in the film earned serious recognition for its emotional depth.

Photo – Instagram

In this category, Linda won against Bimbo Akintola, Ifeoma Fafunwa, Ariyike Owolagba, Sola Sobowale, Scarlet Gomez, Genoveva Umeh, and Gloria Anozie.

She also beat seven other nominees to emerge as the winner of the supporting role in ‘The Herd’ directed by Daniel Etim Effiong. In the film, Linda portrays the character of a wife to a kidnapped man who tries to navigate financial concerns & secrets while also having to deal with uncooperative family members trying to raise money for his ransom. The film mainly explored the theme of national insecurity crisis. 

For this category, she also won against nominees including Funke Akindele, Bisola Aiyeola, Sola Sobowale, Nadia Dutch, Olamide Kidbaby, Amal Umar, and Juliebrenda Nyambura

Photo – Instagram

Both films had strong recognition. “The Herd” entered with nine nominations, and “The Serpent’s Gift” had six nominations and also earned recognition in the Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa). 

Linda has built a reputable name as a dependable screen talent in Nollywood over the past decade. She made her debut as Ejura in Rita Dominic’s first production, ‘The Meeting’, in 2012 and has since been recognised for her prowess with awards and by viewers. 

The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) came with big wins, emotional speeches, and major moments for African film and television stars. Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on May 9, 2026, the event brought together actors, filmmakers, producers, and digital creators from across the continent for one of the biggest nights in African entertainment.

This year’s ceremony also marked a major change as comedian Bovi Ugboma and actress Nomzamo Mbatha hosted the awards, ending IK Osakioduwa’s long run as host.

Photo: Instagram/@africamagic (Best Indigenous film West Africa AMVCA 2026 winner)

One of the biggest winners of the night was the movie “My Father’s Shadow”, which picked up multiple awards including Best Movie. Colours of Fire also had a strong night with wins in acting and technical categories.

Here’s the full list of winners from the 2026 AMVCA 12:

Best Movie

“My Father’s Shadow” – Funmbi Ogunbanwo and Rachel Dargavel (WINNER)

“Gingerrr” – Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama

“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, Ladun Awobokun

“3 Cold Dishes” – Martial Dansou, Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi and Ly Oumar

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

“Behind The Scenes” – Funke Akindele and Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun

Best Director

“My Father’s Shadow” – Akinola Davies Jr (WINNER)

“Cordelia” – Tunde Kelani

“Osamede” – James Kalu Omokwe

“The Herd” – Daniel Etim Effiong

“Gingerrr” – Yemi Filmboy Morafa

“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

Best Writing Movie

“My Father’s Shadow” – Wale Davies (WINNER)

“Blackout” – Ikenna Okpara

“Cards On The Table” – Shirleen Wangari

“Gingerrr” – Xavier Ighorodje

“Suky” – Isaac Ayodeji

“3 Cold Dishes” – Tomi Adesina

“The Herd” – Lani Aisida

Best Sound Design

“My Father’s Shadow” – Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra (WINNER)

“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro

“Ben Made It” – Vaughan Phillips

“The Party” – Tolu Obanro

“Sebata (The Beast)” – Vaughan Phillips

“The Herd” – Fisayo Adefolaju

Best Score Music

“My Father’s Shadow” – Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra (WINNER)

“3 Cold Dishes” – Nissi Ogulu

“Osamede” – Chubb Okobah

“Gingerrr” – Tolu Obanro

“The Party” – Tolu Obanro

MTV Shuga Mashariki – SoFresh

Best Cinematography

“To Kill A Monkey” – Kabelo Thathe (WINNER)

“My Father’s Shadow” – Jermaine Edwards

“The Herd” – Emmanuel Igbekele

“Finding Nina” – Daanong Gyang

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Emmanuel Igbekele

“Stitches” – KC Obiajulu

“Gingerrr” – Emmanuel Igbekele

Best Lead Actor

Photo: Instagram/@africamagi (Best Lead Actor AMVCA 2026 winner)

“Colours of Fire” – Uzor Arukwe (WINNER)

“Oversabi Aunty” – Mike Ezuruonye

‘Lisabi: A Legend Is Born” – Lateef Adedimeji

“To Kill A Monkey’ – William Benson

“Grandpa Must Obey” – Kanayo O. Kanayo

“3 Cold Dishes” – Wale Ojo

“Red Circle” – Femi Branch

“Bet I Love You” – Khumbuza Meyiwa

Best Supporting Actor

“To Kill A Monkey” – Bucci Franklin (WINNER)

“The Yard” – Simileoluwa Hassan

“Gingerrr” – Lateef Adedimeji

“Colours Of Fire” – Gabriel Afolayan

“Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2” – Femi Adeboye

“Red Circle” – Lateef Adedimeji

“Owanbe Thieves” – Femi Branch

“Behind The Scenes” – Uzor Arukwe

Best Editing

“To Kill a Monkey” – Daniel Anyiam (WINNER)

“Cordelia” – Kazeem Agboola

“Landline” – Nwanguma Peter Chidebere and Dele Doherty

“3 Cold Dishes” – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi

“Osamede” – Winston Aig-Ohioma

“My Father’s Shadow” – Omar Guzman Castro

Best Supporting Actress

“The Herd” – Linda Ejiofor-Sulaiman (WINNER)

“Oversabi Aunty’ – Olamide Kidbaby

“Gingerrr” – Bisola Aiyeola

“The Covenant Series’ – Sola Sobowale

“Aljana” – Nadia Dutch

“The Herd” – Amal Umar

“MTV Shuga Mashariki” – Juliebrenda Nyambura

“Behind The Scene” – Funke Akindele

Best Digital Content Creator

“Leave To Live” – Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom (WINNER)

“Dr Judgina” – Situationally Transmitted Delusion – Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh

“The Marriage List” – Destiny Ogie Osarewinda

“The Rate Race” – Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo

“Luxury Koko” – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)

“August Meeting Election” – Steve Chuks

“Did I Just Hear Muah” – Akwaman

Best Short Film

“Hussainin” – Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa (WINNER)

“Rise” – Jessie J. Rowlands

“Fleas” – Jordy Sank

Telephone – Fimisinuola Adejonwo

“My Body, God’s Temple” – Uzoamaka Power

Best Costume Design

“Colours of Fire” – Valerie Okeke (WINNER)

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Mary Chukuma

“The Real Housewives of Lagos S2” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

“Something About The Briggs” – Yolanda Okereke

“To Kill A Monkey” – Ikechukwu Urum and John Joseph Angel

Best Art Direction

“Colours of Fire” – Ajamolaya Bunmi (WINNER)

“The Serpent’s Gif”t – Zainab Oladipupo

“The Herd” – Omolade Abisola

“Aljana” – Olatunji Afolayan and Gideon O Stephen

“Suky” – Victor Akpan

“Inimba” – Thabiso Senne

Best Lead Actress

Photo: Instagram/@africamagic(Best Lead Actress AMVCA 2026 winner)

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Linda Ejiofor-Sulaiman (WINNER)

“To Kill A Monkey” – Bimbo Akintola

“The Lost Days” – Ifeoma Fafunwa

“Something About The Briggs” – Ariyike Owolagba

“Her Excellency” – Sola Sobowale

“Behind The Scenes” – Scarlet Gomez

“The Herd” – Genoveva Umeh

“Mother Of The Brides” – Gloria Anozie-Young

Best Scripted M-net Original Award

“The Low Priest” – Femi D. Ogunsanwo (WINNER)

“Adam To Eve” – Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras

“Mother of the Brides” – Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro

“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe

“Bobo” – Maurice Muendo

Best Unscripted M-Net

“Nigerian Idol (S10)” – Sulaiman Kassim, Anneke De Ridder (WINNER)

“The Real Housewives of Lagos (S3)” – Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade

“Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa” – Graeme Swanepoel

“Off Air” – Gbemi and Toolz

“Out N’ About” – Bruk Yibrah

Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)

“Lisabi: A Legend Is Born” – Lateef Adedimeji (WINNER)

“The Serpent’s Gift” – Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi

“Labake Olododo” – Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Alaba

Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun

Olorisha – Abiola Adeshina

“Aljana” – Grace Yachat Yakubu

Best Make-up

“Lisabi: A Legend Is Born” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye (WINNER)

“Behind The Scenes” – Mojisola Imam

“Gingerrr” – Dablaq Artistry

“Abanisete” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

“Warlord” – Hakeem Onilogbo

“Suky” – Ruth Harcourt

“Labake Olododo” – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye

Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)

Addis Fikir” – Leul Shoaferaw (WINNER)

“Inside Job’ – Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, and Barbara Njeri Maina

“Sayari” – Omar Hamza and June Wairegi

“My Son” – Isarito Mwakalindile

“Kimote” – Hassan Mageye

Best Series (Scripted)

“Inimba” – Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu (WINNER)

“To Kill A Monkey” – Kemi Adetiba

“The Yard” – James Kalu Omokwe

“The Chocolate Empire” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson

“Kash Money” – Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Benson

Best Documentary Award

“Beyond Olympic Glory” – Shedrack Salami (WINNER)

“The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat” – Louis Ejiofor

“The People Shall” – Mark Maina, Nick Wambugu

“Not Adressing This Anymore” – Huzzain Bello

“BOU” – Mwaka Gerald Remmy

Trailblazer Award: Uche Montana

Industry Merit Awards: Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale

The night was filled with fashion, celebration, and recognition for the people pushing African storytelling forward. From emotional acceptance speeches to surprise wins, AMVCA 12 once again showed how much the African film industry continues to grow.

Wale Davis Jr. and Akinola Davis Jr. have won the Outstanding British Debut by a Writer, Director or Producer at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts. for their feature film, My Father’s Shadow. The brothers received the award at the Royal Festival Hall in London on 22 February 2026.

The award recognises new filmmaking talent in British cinema. Akinola was the director while Wale co-wrote the screenplay. Although both have worked on creative projects before, this is their first featured-length film as a director.

Photo: Getty Images

During his BAFTA acceptance speech, Akinola Davies Jr. said:

“To the economic migrant, the conflict migrant, those under occupation, dictatorship, persecution and those experiencing genocide, you matter and your stories matter more than ever. Your dreams are an act of resistance. To those watching at home, archive your loved ones, archive your stories yesterday, today and forever.”

Wale Davies dedicated the award to their late father, whose influence shaped their creative paths.

My Father’s Shadow is set in Lagos during Nigeria’s 1993 presidential election.The film explores family bonds, and the complexity of fatherhood.

The production was filmed on location in Lagos and in Ibadan. The language choice of the movie was English, Yoruba, and Pidgin, capturing the speech setting of urban areas in Nigeria.

Before its BAFTA success, the film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received a Special Mention for the Caméra d’Or. This award honours first feature films. Its selection is good for Nigerian storytelling on an international platform.

Fans gave positive comments about the movie. One of them Andrew Parker said:

Photo: Instagram

“Davies captures the time period perfectly, and My Father’s Shadow balances expressionistic flourishes with the raw human emotion that goes hand in hand with being raised by a distant, difficult to understand parent.”

Stephen Porzio said:

“While Nigeria is so integral to My Father’s Shadow, this is a movie with a universal appeal.”

The film later became the United Kingdom’s official submission for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. The project also earned nominations and recognition from the British Independent Film Awards and the Gotham Awards.