The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) has once again proven itself to be a beacon of excellence in African television and film. This year’s edition was a testament to the power and talent of women in the industry.
Meet the incredible women who took home top honours and are paving the way for a new generation of female creatives.
Kehinde Bankole—Best Actress in a Leading Role
With her embodiment of the character “Adire,” Kehinde Bankole brought Asari’s complex and dynamic nature to life with a standout performance. Adire tells the story of a sex worker-turned-entrepreneur who moves to a small town and launches her own lingerie business, only to draw the ire of a preacher’s wife.
Genoveva Umeh—Best Supporting Actress
Genoveva Umeh shone brightly at this year’s Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), scooping up the “Best Supporting Actress” award. Her captivating portrayal of Anna in Breath of Life won over audiences and secured her a spot as a standout talent in African cinema. Her award is a well-earned nod to her compelling contribution to the film.
Abisola Omolade—Best Art Direction
Already holding art and production design laureates for movies like “King of Boys” and “We Don’t Live Here Anymore,” Abisola Omolade clinched yet another art direction award for the film, “Over the Bridge.”
In addition to being a film art superstar, she has also worked on the art of the music videos of some of your favourite artists—Adekunle Gold, Tiwa Savage, and many more!
Lola Awe—Best Costume Design (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
In “Jagun Jagun,” Lola Awe’s costume design masterfully highlights cultural heritage and authenticity. Each costume was crafted with meticulous attention to detail and rich textures that underscored the film’s narrative depth, rooted in Yoruba culture. Awe’s work immersed viewers in a vivid cultural tapestry, enhancing the storytelling by visually anchoring the characters within their vibrant historical and cultural context.
Precious Campbell —Best Makeup (Mami Wata)
“In Mami Wata,” makeup artist Campbell Precious Arebamen truly brought the film’s supernatural elements to life. Characters were beautifully decorated with intricate white patterns of dots and lines across their faces, echoing traditional African body art. This bold makeup contrasted vividly with their skin and complemented their ornate costumes of beads and shells. The overall effect was mesmerizing, pulling the audience into a world that felt both ancient and otherworldly, perfectly capturing the film’s mystical ambiance.
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price—Best Documentary
As a South African documentary headed by and for women, we are excited that it came out top as the winner of the “Best Documentary” at the AMVCAs!
Directed by Sihle Hlope, this documentary is a bona fide opportunity for women in South Africa to see themselves and to represent themselves in the sphere of cinema, just as Sihle Hlope has. The documentary also explores the legality of marriage and the practice of lobola, including the gender roles that are prominent once the process of lobola starts.
The film also allows audiences to witness other lobola dealings around South Africa.
GH Queens—Best Unscripted Series
Ghana’s number one and biggest reality series won the “Best Unscripted” series at the AMVCAs! “GH Queens” follows the fabulous, glamorous, and fast-paced lives of four relentless and ambitious women in Ghana’s entertainment industry. The show gives an exclusive glimpse into the lives of Efia Odo, Mona 4 Real, Michy Diamond, and Cookie as they navigate life in the spotlight.
Her Dark Past—Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
“Her Dark Past,” a film by the Multichoice Talent Factory 2023 students, has won the award for “Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie!”
It follows Tosin Nwosu (Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman), a high-flying social media influencer and life coach whose life starts to crumble when a child she abandoned for dead gives way to the secrets that imperil her seemingly perfect world: unearthing the trauma she daily fights to bury.
Slum King-Best Scripted M-Net Original
Chichi Nworah, producer of the critically acclaimed series “Shanty Town,” is back again with another award-winning masterpiece, “Slum King!” Her inspiration for the film was to make a Hollywood-styled dramatic action story that still speaks to the reality of a Nigerian audience, and her win for Best Scripted M-Net Original is a testament to the professional prowess of ChiChi.
Slum King is a show that tells the story of Edafe (Maje), who witnesses his parents’ murder at a young age because he forgets to lock the door at night. Trapped in the cycle of guilt and trauma, Edafe journeys from a disturbed boy in the slums to become Maje, the charismatic king of the slums.
Esther Idowu Phillips-Industry Merit Award
View this post on Instagram
Popularly known as “Iya Rainbow,” Idowu Esther Phillips is a legendary screen and stage veteran. With her first iconic works, such as Aje Ni Iya Mi and Asiri Nla by Jide Kosoko, she has gone ahead to steal the limelight in over 500 movies, including television commercials, and still counting!
The 2024 AMVCAs were a landmark event, showcasing the unstoppable force of African women in film. From powerful performances to groundbreaking storytelling and artistic brilliance, these women shattered glass ceilings and redefined what it means to be a creative force in Africa. This is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see what heights these talented women reach next and how they inspire the next generation to claim their space behind and in front of the camera.
