The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) are now a critical part of African cinema. They celebrate the continent’s diverse and rich storytelling heritage and the exceptionally talented people who bring these narratives to life.
While the AMVCA trends on Twitter, it’s a great time to explore its history, how it has evolved over the years, and its important role in the African entertainment industry.
The full list of 2025 nominees was unveiled yesterday, and you can check it out here: Punch NG
A Star-Studded Beginning

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane, shall we? Imagine this: it’s March 9, 2013, and you can almost touch the energy and excitement in the Lagos atmosphere. The inaugural AMVCA ceremony is about to start, and it will celebrate the crème de la crème of African television and film.
Created by MultiChoice, the AMVCA was designed to recognise and honour outstanding achievements in the industry, and it truly succeeded. The event was broadcast live in over 50 countries and set the stage for what would become an annual celebration of exceptional African talent.
Read more: Wikipedia
Categories Galore
Right from the start, the AMVCA introduced a variety of award categories to ensure everything was covered. Drama kings, comedy queens, behind-the-scenes wizards and all types of loyal watchers are not left out. The categories include Best Actor and Actress in Drama/TV Series, Best Supporting Roles, Best Make-up Artist, Best Costume Designer, and even Best Indigenous Language films in different African languages. It’s like that famous moment when Oprah gave out prizes on her show: “You get a trophy. You get a trophy. Everyone gets a trophy!”
The Evolution: More Than a Fancy Trophy
Over the years, the AMVCA has improved slowly but surely, much like a friend who has finally found their style. It’s no longer only about giving awards; now it’s about elevating the entire African film industry.
The AMVCA has played a key role in improving production quality, inspiring filmmakers to create better films, and has indirectly created thousands of jobs. Since its launch, the awards have helped the film industry grow. As of 2023, its contribution to Nigeria’s GDP increased from less than 2% to over 6%.
Show Me The Money: Economic Impact
Still talking about jobs, the AMVCA isn’t simply a glamorous, fancy night out; it also acts as a big booster to the economy. The awards directly hire more than 3,000 people annually and have opened up opportunities for over 27,000 individuals since their start. This in turn has created a ripple effect across various sectors.
Fashion designers, makeup artists, and even the guy or team who literally rolls out the red carpet benefit from this yearly extravaganza. It’s almost like the Oscars but with jollof rice.
Fashion Forward: The Red Carpet Extravaganza

Let’s not forget the fashion! The AMVCA red carpet is where African designers showcase their creativity, and celebrities strut their stuff in outfits that range from “Wow!” to “What were they thinking?” Over the years, we’ve seen iconic looks that have set trends and sparked conversations, making the AMVCA a significant event in the African fashion calendar
Let’s not forget the fabulous fashion! The AMVCA red carpet is the quintessential place for African designers to show off their creativity. Celebrities usually strut their stuff in outfits that evoke reactions from “What were they thinking?” to “Wow!” Over the years, we’ve seen iconic designs that have started trends and sparked conversations online and offline, making the AMVCA a significant event in the annual African fashion calendar.
Read more – Marie Claire NG
A Decade Plus of AMVCA Dazzle

Our journey takes us forward now to the year 2023, when the AMVCA celebrated its 10th birthday. Indeed, it was a decade of recognising and celebrating African stories, creativity and skills. The milestone edition introduced exciting new features such as judges and special recognition awards, ensuring the event remains exciting just like those famous Nollywood plot twists.
Read more – Business Day NG
AMVCA 2025 – Lights, Camera, Action And a Whole Lot of Drama!

The AMVCA is more than an awards show; it’s a significant cultural phenomenon, a red-carpet showdown and a full-blown cinematic spectacle. It’s a place where dreams have the opportunity to come true, memes are born (because, let’s be honest, Twitter never sleeps).
Every year, expect to watch some jaw-dropping moments, unexpected snubs and at least one outfit that breaks the internet. The AMVCA is Nollywood’s Super Bowl, except instead of touchdowns, we get teary acceptance speeches and iconic fashion moments.
As we gear up for the 11th edition on May 10 in Lagos, one thing is certain: viewers, whether in person or virtually, can expect the unexpected. Whether it’s a surprise winner no one truly saw coming, an emotional tribute, or a viral moment that will have us talking for weeks, the AMVCA is where African cinema shines the brightest.
So, grab your popcorn, charge your phone for live tweeting, and get ready for another unforgettable night of glitz, glamour, and a little bit of drama. After all, what’s an award show without a little suspense?
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