The 11th edition Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) were held in Lagos, Nigeria, on Saturday night at an event that attracted a galaxy of stars from across the continent.
The star-studded night, hosted by IK Osakioduwa, celebrated excellence in African film and television, honouring achievements across 28 categories, including the newly introduced Best Music Score.
Lisabi: The Uprising, produced by and starring Lateef Adedimeji, was a major winner. The film bagged Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Best Art Direction, and Best Makeup.
Directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, Lisabi is a historical drama about an Egba farmer who leads a resistance against the oppressive Alaafin of Oyo in the 1800s.
Adedimeji and wife Adebimpe Oyebade, who also starred in the film, dedicated the awards to God and their hardworking team.
Despite Lisabi’s strong showing, the much-anticipated Best Movie category went to Freedom Way by Blessing Uzzi.
The 2024 action thriller, directed by Afolabi Olalekan, explores themes like corruption, police brutality, and youth oppression in Nigeria. It defeated other top contenders like Skeleton Coast, Suspicion, and House of Ga’a.
Seven Doors, a supernatural Netflix series by Femi Adebayo, also had a strong night, winning Best Lead Actor (Femi Adebayo), Best Lead Actress (Chioma Chukwuka), and Best Music Score (Tolu Obanro). The show’s gripping storyline about a cursed monarch captured the hearts of fans at the award night.
In special recognitions, Nollywood veterans Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu received Lifetime Achievement Awards, while director Kayode Kasum was honoured with the Trailblazer Award for his contributions to African storytelling.
Performances by Nigerian Idol Season 9 winner Chima, Singer Johnny Drille, viral stars Fido, Kunmie, and Serotonin also lit up the night.
Below is the full list of winners at the 2025 AMVCA:
Best Movie
Lisabi: The Uprising
Skeleton Coast
Suspicion
Inkabi
House Of Ga’a
Freedom Way – WINNER
Christmas In Lagos
Farmer’s Bride
Best Makeup
Aníkúlápó (The Rise of the Scepter)
Inside Life
Farmer’s Bride
Lisabi (The Uprising) – WINNER
Seven Doors
Suspicion
Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life (WINNER)
Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni – Lisabi: The Uprising
Aliu Gafar – Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs – Freedom Way
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Christmas In Lagos
Uzor Arukwe – Suspicion
Mike Afolarin – House of Ga’a
Efa Iwara – Princess on a Hill
Trailblazer Award
Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Award
Nkem ‘Osuofia’ Okoh and Sani Mu’azu
Best Lead Actress
Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors) WINNER
Gbubemi 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)
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) WINNER
Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi – The Uprising)
Best Editing
Inkabi (Tongai Furusa) – WINNER
Christmas in Lagos (Martini Akande)
Skeleton Coast (Jordan Koen)
Soft Love (Holmes Awa, Paballo Modingoane)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Anthill Studios)
Princess on a Hill (Laughter Ephraim, Peter Ugbede)
Best Costume Design
Aníkúlápó (The Rise of the Scepter)
Christmas in Lagos – Winner
House of Gaa
Lisabi
