Actress Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the biggest winners at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held on Saturday at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos.
She dominated the night with a double victory, winning Best Lead actress for her performance in The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for her role in The Herd.
Actor Uzor Arukwe clinched the Best Lead Actor award for his performance in Colours of Fire.
Actor Bucci Franklin also thrilled the audience as he won Best Supporting Actor at the 12th edition of AMVCA for his role in To Kill a Monkey, edging out strong contenders including Femi Adebayo (Agesinkole 2), Gabriel Afolayan (Colours of Fire), Uzor Arukwe (Behind the Scenes) and Lateef Adedimeji (Red Circle).
In another highlight of the night, My Father’s Shadow won Best Movie.
Contrary to expectations, popular actress Funke Akindele left the ceremony without any award despite her film Behind the Scenes receiving four nominations.
The movie, which reportedly grossed over N2bn at the cinemas, was nominated for Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Lead Actress and Best Movie.
Other winners included industry veterans Kanayo O. Kanayo and Sola Sobowale, who received the Industry Merit Award, while Uche Montana won the Trailblazer Award. Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect) took home Best Makeup, while Lisabi (A Legend is Born) by Lateef Adedimeji won Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa). Leave To Live by Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom won Best Digital Content Creator, among others.
Ahead of the main ceremony, a cultural night was also held, with stars appearing in vibrant traditional outfits to celebrate Nigerian heritage. The annual AMVCA honours excellence in African film, television, and digital content, recognising actors, filmmakers, producers, and other creatives who have contributed to the growth of the industry across the continent.
