The Story⚡
Africa Magic Viewers Choice Award ceremony is held today at the Eko Hotel and Suite Gala Centre – This Piece is a live winner announcement and an industry breakdown of the wins, snubs and reactions from movie audiences.
Coverage Starts By 7 pm WAT.
1. Best Art Direction
Abisola Omolade (Over The Bridge) – Winner
Introduction: Abisola Omolade is an art director and production designer who has worked on films and TV shows like The Wait, Blood Sisters, Far From Home by Netflix and Amazon Prime Video’s La Femme Anjola. She is also the art director of Orah, which screened at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
AMVCA Data: This is her first nomination.
Merit of concept/How does it stand out: The art direction brings clarity and definition to Over The Bridge.
Platform Numbers/ Audience Acceptance: Over The Bridge had a world premiere in the UK from the 18th of October, 2023. The film is commended for its picture quality, story, and costume.
Snubbed in its category is/Next best winner: Pat Nebo and Chima Temple (The Black Book)
2. Best Editing
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book) – Winner
Netflix Black Book Editor Antonio Ribeiro is a Sundance alumnus with over 15 years of experience in Film Editing. One other notable work of the London-based Ribeiro is Living In Bondage: Breaking Free which like the Black Book is also on Netflix.Â
The Black Book, Nollywood’s most expensive film yet – $ 1 million Budget – was released on Netflix in September 2023 to thunderous reverberations. It dominated Netflix’s Key Global Markets, topping Charts and breaking records.
The Black Book on its release, set a new African original record by ranking No 1 globally and acquiring over 11M views in under a week on Netflix. The title charted in so many countries that it literally put Nigeria on the map. The Black Book arguably was the most successful African Film of 2023
The Movie had “Full Control” of global attention for a while.
3. Best Indigenous (West Africa)
Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo) – Winner
Introduction: Femi Adebayo is an actor, director, producer, who was trained as a lawyer. He has starred in numerous films. Some of the movies he has featured in include Apaadi, Diamond in the Sky, Lucifer, etc.
AMVCA Data: In 2018, he won for the Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba), He was nominated for Best Actor in a Comedy in 2022 for Progressive Tailors Club. In 2023, he was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama, Movie or TV Series and Best Overall Movie for King of Thieves (Agesinkole).
Merit of concept/How does it stand out: The relatable storyline and action.
Platform Numbers/ Audience Acceptance: It was released on the 10th of August, 2023 on Netflix to critical acclaim.
Snubbed in its category is/Next best winner: Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
4. Best Short Film
Broken Mask – Winner
The gripping short film Broken Mask, directed, produced, and written by the talented Kagho Idhebor, has just clinched the prestigious award for Best Short Film at the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
This compelling narrative follows an embattled mask maker grappling with the devastating reality of his daughter’s molestation by a relative, setting off a chain of events that awaken cosmic forces. Starring Brutus Richard, Ebigba Emamuzo, Darasimi Nadi, and Joshua Alabi, the film captures the raw emotions and complexities of human experience with unparalleled depth and authenticity.
Kagho Idhebor’s visionary storytelling and dedication to his craft have once again been recognized, cementing his status as a two-time AMVCA Best Cinematography nominee and a rising star in the world of filmmaking.
5. Best Make Up
Campbell Precious (Mami Wata) – Winner
6. Best Costume Design
Lola Awe (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior) – Winner
7. Best Writing for TV Series
Volume – Winner
8. Best Writing for a Movie
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Tunde Babalola) – Winner
9. Best Sound Design
Ray Jones (Blood Vessel) – Winner
10. Best Indigenous South Africa
Motshameko O Kotsi – Winner
11. Best Supporting Actress
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) – Winner
12. Best Cinematography
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) – Winner
13. Best Digital Content
Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner
14. Best Unscripted Mnet Original
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) – Winner
15. Best Scripted TV Series Mnet Original
Slum King
16. Best Lead Actor
Wale Ojo – Winner
Introduction: Wale Ojo is a British-trained Nigerian actor who started his acting career as a child in television. He has featured in movies and television series in Nigeria and the UK. Movies he has acted in include Phone Swap (2012), The CEO (2016), Alter Ego (2017), Kasanova (2019), among many others.
AMVCA Data: He has been nominated three times in the past: Best Actor in a Comedy (2015), Best Supporting Actor (2018), and Bsst Actor in a Drama (2018)
Merit of concept/How does it stand out: He delivered a captivating and an out-of-the-box performance in Breath of Life. According to TheGuardian, “Ojo delivers a compelling performance as Timi, a no-nonsense guy, who adamantly rejects God, only to discover it part of a larger plan.”
Platform Numbers/ Audience Acceptance: Released for streaming on Amazon Prime, the film was widely accepted by the audience.
Snubbed in its category is/Next best winner: Stan Nze
Best Quote/Character Virality: “Who needs guns when you’ve got God.”
17. Best Lead Actress
Kehinde Bankole – Winner
In a thrilling turn of events, Adire stormed into the Nigerian film scene with a theatrical debut that captured audiences’ hearts and wallets, earning an impressive ₦8 million in its opening weekend. Kehinde Bankole’s portrayal of the film’s complex protagonist resonated deeply with viewers, setting the stage for her remarkable journey to the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA).
At the AMVCA, Bankole emerged triumphant, clinching the coveted title of Best Lead Actress for her stellar performance in Adire. Her portrayal of the young fashion entrepreneur navigating the complexities of her past and present showcased Bankole’s exceptional range and depth as an actress, earning her recognition as one of the industry’s brightest talents.
Adire stands out as a compelling drama that seamlessly intertwines elements of modernity with a nostalgic homage to Nigeria’s vintage era. The film’s exploration of redemption, forgiveness, and the resilience of the human spirit, coupled with Bankole’s raw and authentic portrayal of the protagonist, elevates it to a league of its own in Nigerian cinema. As Adire continues to garner acclaim, Bankole’s win at the AMVCA underscores both the film’s impact and her exceptional talent as an actress, solidifying its status as a cinematic masterpiece. One of the standout quotes from the film, You may be called wife, mother, but never forget to see yourself as a babe, encapsulates the film’s themes of self-discovery and empowerment, resonating with audiences long after the credits roll.
18. Best Scripted Series
Itura – Winner
19. Best Director
BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
Introduction: This title is one of the first prime video commissioned feature titles directed by BB Sasore. From the first trailer, one could see how the director’s vision is so strong and translate so well on screen. Its themes of purpose, love, faith and social strata with a Nigerian story and talent come out excellently and one could have sworn that this film was made on a Hollywood budget film.Â
AMVCA Data: BB Sasore has been nominated for his work in God Calling or Best Writer and Director. Â
Merit of concept/How does it stand out: This film in under 2 hours fills audiences up with inspiration, love, purpose and agony. BB Sasore’s vision cuts across every emotion and slices them up on the screen with so much precision you rarely see from Nollywood.
Platform Numbers/ Audience Acceptance: The film was praised by critics, consumers and the industry as one of the best works out of Nollywood in 5 years as well as strong performances from its key and supporting cast. The titleÂ
Snubbed in its category is/Next best winner: Over the Bridge should be perhaps the next best winner for best direction as it moves the audiences from a defined story to a revelation of the central storyline with powerful immersive frames that elevate the storytelling.Â
Best Quote/Character Virality: – “Don’t be Afraid of him, he doesn’t bite”, “How can you be so wicked?
20. Best Movie
BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
BB Sasore’s Breath of Life takes home the award for Best Movie.
Written and directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor, Breath of Life portrays the story of a former clergyman who loses everything he holds dear including his faith, and goes on a journey of self-transformation when his Christian houseboy takes over his life.
Set in the 1950s, Breath of Life was shot in Nigeria’s historic city of Ibadan and is led by Wale Ojo, Sam Dede, Tina Mba and Eku Edewor. Others include Chimezie Imo, Genoveva Umeh, Ademola Adedoyin, and Chidozie Nzeribe.
The film earned this award with its touching storyline, excellent character delivery, and general audience acceptance; featuring on Prime Video’s top 10 charts in over 10 countries.
Nominated alongside Breath of Life for Best Movie are Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Over The Bridge, Blood Vessel, A Tribe Called Judah, The Black Book, and Mami Wata.
