Nigeria’s entertainment industry re-asserted its continental dominance at the 10th edition of the prestigious African Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) held on Saturday, May 11th, 2024.
Glittering with glamour and buzzing with anticipation, the ceremony was a celebration of exceptional achievements in African film and television.
MultiChoice, the award presenter, recognizes captivating storytelling and the very best of African cinema. Given Nigeria’s rich tradition of captivating narratives, exceptional cinematography, and highly skilled actors, it’s no surprise the nation emerged as a frontrunner yet again.
As many analysts agree, this dominance wasn’t a fluke; it’s a testament to an industry built on unwavering creativity, artistry, and tenacity.
“What you saw play out at the 2024 AMVCA are years of relentless innovation and dynamism that have continually propelled Nigerian entertainment to new heights, with more investment in the sector, Nigeria has even more potential to challenge for global honours” Jayne Uche, a veteran Entertainment and Lifestyle Editor posited.
Big winners
From Wale Ojo scooping the year’s best male actor to Kehinde Bankole winning the best actress of the year, the country’s entertainment industry has indeed come of age. Wale Ojo, a British Nigerian, won the coveted prize for the first time in his career, underscoring his outstanding industry artistry.
Ojo earned the accolade for his sublime and scintillating performance in the movie Breath of Life, directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor and Derin Adeyokunnu. Trailing only behind Mami Wata with 12 nominations, Breath of Life received 11 nominations across various categories, including Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Lead Actor, and won in five categories.
While the 55-year-old Ojo secured his first AMVCA win, 39-year-old Bankole returned to the winner’s circle after her captivating portrayal in Kunle Afolayan’s “October 1” earned her the award in 2015. This year, her brilliance in Adeoluwa Owu’s “Adire” impressed the judges, securing her the prestigious Best Actress trophy.
Interestingly, Premium Times’ pre-show predictions proved accurate, with “Breath of Life” clinching the Best Movie award alongside several others.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award went to Idowu Philips, aka Iya Rainbow, and Richard Mofe Damijo, while the Trailblazer Award went to Chimezie Imo.
Three-day festival
The concluded 10th edition was held on the 9, 10, and 11 for three consecutive days, culminating in genuinely remarkable epochal moments. The luxurious and glamorous Eko hotels and suites were on lockdown as stars flooded the event that featured a series of events, including the Special Night with Icons, Young Filmmakers Day, the Cultural Day Celebration, and the main Award Night.
Locked in the richness of African culture and heritage, the star-studded show held viewers close to the edges of their seats while winners drew thunderous rounds of applause from the audience. “Year after year,” Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, Multichoice, noted, “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.”.
Mixed fortunes
The night, however, wasn’t without its share of surprises. Funke Akindele’s highly anticipated “Tribe of Judah” failed to secure any wins despite its record-breaking box office performance. This unexpected outcome sparked heated debates on social media, with fans expressing their varied opinions.
Ultimately, the night belonged to exceptional talent and captivating stories. Femi Adebayo’s “Jagun Jagun” bagged the Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) award, while “Breath of Life” reigned supreme as Best Movie. Layi Wasabi took home the Best Digital Content Award, and Tunde Babalola secured his third AMVCA win for Best Writing Movie.
Breath of Life’s Greg Jones Ossai capped off a magical night with his win for Best Sound, adding another trophy to the film’s impressive haul.
The 10th AMVCA Gala was a resounding success, celebrating not just Nigerian excellence but the boundless potential of African cinema as a whole.
