Nollywood’s biggest awards night just got its contenders. Here’s what the list is telling us.
The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) is back for its 12th edition, and the nominees list has landed. The ceremony will be held in Lagos on May 9, and if the nominations are anything to go by, it’s going to be a good night for Nigerian cinema specifically.
Two films are setting the pace. Daniel Etim-Effiong’s directorial debut, The Herd, a Nigerian crime thriller, leads with nine nominations, picking up nods for Best Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, and a string of technical categories.
Right beside it is Gingerrr, the Nigerian action comedy, also sitting on nine nominations, including Best Movie, Best Supporting Actress, Best Writing, and technical awards.
Nine nominations each. Both Nigerian. Both are genre films. That’s a statement about where Nollywood’s creative ambition is right now.
The performances to watch at AMVCA
The Best Lead Actress category is genuinely stacked this year. Genoveva Umeh (The Herd), Bimbo Akintola (To Kill A Monkey), Sola Sobowale (Her Excellency), and Ariyike Owolagba (Something About The Briggs) are all in the mix.
Umeh in particular will be one to watch; she’s already proven her range, and The Herd is clearly the campaign frontrunner.
In Best Supporting Actress, Linda Ejiofor and Amal Umar are both nominated from The Herd alone, which tells you something about how strong that ensemble is. Bisola Aiyeola (Gingerrr), Olamide Kidbaby (Oversabi Aunty), and Sola Sobowale (The Covenant Series) round out a category with no weak entries.
On the male side, Best Lead Actor features Mike Ezuruonye, Lateef Adedimeji, and the legendary Kanayo O. Kanayo, who, at this point, is a genre unto himself.
Best Supporting Actor sees Lateef Adedimeji nominated twice, for Gingerrr and Red Circle, which is either a scheduling miracle or a sign that the man simply cannot stop working.
Behind The Scenes earns its place on the AMVCA list
Funke Akindele’s Behind The Scenes shows up in Best Movie, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Make-up. After the commercial and cultural run that film had, it would have been a surprise if it wasn’t in contention. It’s here, and it’s competitive.
One name that keeps showing up in the technical nominations is Emmanuel Igbekele, nominated for cinematography on The Herd, The Serpent’s Gift, and Gingerrr. Three nominations in the same category, from three different films.
That’s a remarkable year of work from one person, and it deserves more attention than it’ll probably get.
Tolu Obanro similarly appears twice in both Best Score Music and Best Sound Design, for Gingerrr and The Party. The people behind the camera are quietly having incredible years, and AMVCA is acknowledging it.
What this list is saying
Thirty-two categories, 18 decided by jury and 11 by audience vote. The split matters because audience voting tends to reward popularity, while jury decisions tend to reward craft.
The Herd and Gingerrr are both positioned well in both lanes, which is why nine nominations each feel earned rather than inflated.
May 9 in Lagos. The nominations are strong. Now we wait.
Leave a comment