The AMVCA is a merit award w by Multichoice through Africa Magic for the lifetime contribution to the development of African cinema.
1. The first edition of AMVCA held on 9th March, 2013 at Eko Hotel And Suites and subsequent events have always been held at the same venue. The award has more than twenty categories that cover the entire process of filmmaking, with seven voting categories open to fans of nominated actors to participate in.
2. Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa, IK has always hosted the AMVCAs. He has had several co-hosts, usually female and usually from a different African country, but he has been a constant fixture of the AMVCAs. Zimbabwean Vimbai Mutinhiri co hosted with him from 2013 – 2015, while South Africa’s Minnie Dlamini co hosted from 2016 – 2018. This year, Kenyan TV Presenter and Radio host, Amina Abdi Rabar will be cohosting .
3. The award for Best Overall Film in the past six years, has been won thrice by a Nigerian. From 2015 – 2017, October 1, Dry and 76 won the award. Other movies that have won the award are, Otello Burning directed by South African Sara Bleecher in 2013, Contract directed by Shirley Frimpong-Manso from Ghana, and 18 Hours directed by Kenyan Njue Kevin in 2018. Generally, Nigerian have always swooped these awards because we have a large representation, it would be interesting to see if there are any surprises this year.
4. The category of Best Supporting Actor In A Movie/TV Series has been a controversial one. This year it is packed with some of the biggest veterans in the Nigerian entertainment industry – Richard Mofe Damijo, Ramsey Nouah, Nkem Owoh. There however are a couple new names in the category – Remilekun ‘Reminisce’ Safaru, and Kenyan Pascal Tokodi.
In 2018, Falz, primarily a musician, won in this category against Saidi Balogun, Tomiwa Edun, Kunle Idowu, Gabriel Afolayan, Wale Ojo, more established actors. As this is a voting category, winning really depends on who can rally their fans and followers. It remains to be seen who will bring the award home.
5. Another contested category in this Award is the Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series). Pulling heavyweights like Shola Sobowale, Zainab Balogun (who is nominated twice in the category), Toyin Abraham and Kate Henshaw, it is difficult to say who will take home the award at this point.
King of Boys, God Calling, Sylvia, Elevator and The Ghost and The House of Truth are all nominated in this category. Zainab Balogun is nominated twice in this category, whether this increases or reduces her chances are to be seen. Sola Sobowale in King of Boys has a better chance in this category because of the larger scope of the movie.
6. The most nominated actor this year is Ramsey Nouah, who bagged four nominations. His role in the movie Levi, earned him a nod in the Best Actor In A Drama category of the awards. The other nominations came from Merry Men 1, for which he was nominated in the Best Actor in a Comedy category and Living In Bondage which got him a Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Category nomination.
The next most nominated actor is Toyin Abrahim, nominated for her roles in Elevator Baby, Bling Lagosians and Kasanova. She is a contender for the Best Actress In A Comedy Category, as well as Best Actress In A Drama. Chances are high that Toyin Abraham will be taking an award home.
The 7th Edition of the AMVCA has some of the biggest movies out of the African continent as well as some of the biggest names in the movie industry contending. It will be really interesting to see who wins what at the awards night.