Olufemi Adeyemi
The highly anticipated 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) unfolded on Saturday, May 11th, 2024, held at the Eko Convention Center, Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
This year’s edition was held on the 9, 10, and 11 May. It
featured a series of events, the highlights of which include the Special Night
With Icons, Young Filmmakers Day, the Cultural Day Celebration, and the main
Awards Night.
These events united the African film and television industry
to honour outstanding talent and creativity. From gripping performances to
celebration of captivating storytelling, the awards truly showcased the best of
African cinema.
The evening blended glamour, moving speeches, and deserving
recognition for Africa’s entertainment and film stars.
Veteran Nollywood actress, Idowu Philips, also known as Iya
Rainbow, and actor, Richard Mofe-Damijo, better known as RMD, received this
year’s Industry Merit Awards, while Chimezie
Imo received Trailblazer Award at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
Amazon Prime Video’s original film, “Breath of Life”, also
clinched the highly coveted Movie of the Year award at the 10th Africa Magic
Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The Nigerian drama film, released in 2023, also secured
victories in four other award categories at the ceremony.
“Breath of Life,” produced by Eku Edewor and directed by BB
Sasore, features renowned movie stars such as Wale Ojo, Chimezie Imo, Genoveva
Umeh, Demola Adedoyin, and Sam Dede, among others.
The movie triumphed in the Best Movie category, beating
contenders like Funke Akindele’s “A Tribe Called Judah,” “The Black Book,” and
“Blood Vessel,” among others.
Additional accolades bestowed upon the film include Best
Lead Actor (Wale Ojo), Best Supporting Actress (Genoveva Umeh), Best Supporting
Actor (Demola Adedoyin), and Best Director (BB Sasore).
Ace presenter IK Osakioduwa hosted the awards night, which
featured notable industry personalities such as Joke Silva, Sola Sobowale,
Chidi Mokeme, Richard Mofe Damijo, Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Noah, Kunle
Afolayan, Mo Abudu, Odunlade Adekola, Kanayo O Kanyo, and a host of others.
Speaking at the event, Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of
Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said AMVCA was created to
honour exceptional achievements in television and film across the continent.
She said, ‘‘Year after year, we have received numerous
entries and can attest to the growth in the quality of submissions with each
edition. While this year’s edition is a milestone, as it is the 10th,
it is also a testament to the growth the African film industry has experienced.
We congratulate all the winners and nominees who have put in incredible work.
We’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone in the African film industry.
You have all made us proud.”
This year’s edition had 27 categories, 16 non-voting and
nine audience voting categories. The winners were selected by a jury led by ace
filmmaker and head judge Femi Odugbemi.
Some of the highlights from the awards include Breath of
Life and Jagun Jagun, which won multiple awards.
Prominent figures from the entertainment world attended the
event. The award ceremony featured artistes such as a legendary musician, Awilo
Longomba, Seyi Shodimu and Shaffy Bello, who performed ‘Love Me, Jeje’, also Adekunle
Gold, Kcee and Chike.
Best Makeup
Campbell Precious (“Mami Wata”) – Winner
Best Art Direction
“Over The Bridge” (Abisola Omolade) – Winner
Best Costume Design
Lola Awe (“Jagun Jagun: The Warrior”) – Winner
Best Writing TV Series
“Volume” – Winner
Best Writing in a Movie
“Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” (Tunde Babalola) – Winner
Best Sound Design
Grey Jones Ossai (“Blood Vessel”) – Winner
Best Editing
Antonio Ribeiro (“The Black Book”) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
“Jagun Jagun” (Femi Adebayo) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) – Winner
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Motshameko O Kotsi – Winner
Best Documentary
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? – Winner
Best Cinematography
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) – Winner
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
Irora Iya – Winner
Best Digital Content
Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner
Best Short Film
Broken Mask – Winner
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) – Winner
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Slum King – Winner
Best Supporting Actress
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Supporting Actor
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) – Winner
Trailblazer Award
Chimezie Imo – Winner
Industry Merit Award
Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) – Winner
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Winner
Best Lead Actress
Kehinde Bankole (Adire) – Winner
Best Lead Actor
Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Her Dark Past – Winner
Best Scripted Series
Itura – Winner
Best Unscripted Series
Gh Queens (Season 2) – Winner
Best Director
BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
Best Movie
Breath of Life – Winner