Freedom Way and Clarence Peters’ Inside Life took home the biggest awards of the night, despite winning only two awards each, while Lisabi: The Uprising and Seven Doors, the most nominated projects, were the most awarded with only three awards each.
By Vivian Nneka Nwajiaku
It was a night of single wins and the occasional double or triple win at the 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), which returned for its eleventh edition in Lagos on Saturday, 10th May.
Freedom Way and Clarence Peters’ Inside Life took home the biggest awards of the night, despite winning only two awards each, while Lisabi: The Uprising and Seven Doors, the most nominated projects, were the most awarded with only three awards each.
A debut feature by director Afolabi Olalekan, produced by Blessing Uzzi, Freedom Way won the coveted Best Movie in addition to Best Writing in a Movie, while Clarence Peters’ Inside Life won Best Scripted Series and one acting category (Best Supporting Actor).
Tanzanian series, Wa Milele? was awarded Best Unscripted Series but lost its second nomination for Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) to Kenya’s Makosa Di Tangu which was one of two wins for Abel Mutua Musyoka—Best Writing in a TV Series for Untying Kantai and Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) for Makosa Di Tangu.
Lisabi: The Uprising earned the most nominations of all films represented at the awards, ten in total including Best Movie, but left with the awards for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Best Art Director, and Best MakeUp, with Hakeem Effect beating his own makeup work in two other projects (Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre and Seven Doors) for which he was nominated in the same category.
Seven Doors, the most nominated project overall, with eleven nods including Best Scripted Series, won the two lead acting categories as well as Best Score/Music.
Awam Amkpa was named Best Director for The Man Died, the film’s only win out of two nominations, the other being Best Art Director which it lost to Lisabi: The Uprising.
In the acting categories, Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka were named Best Lead Actor and Best Lead Actress respectively for their performances in Seven Doors. Gabriel Afolayan won Best Supporting Actor for Clarence Peters’ Inside Life while Mercy Aigbe won Best Supporting Actress for Farmer’s Bride, the film’s only award of the night.
Despite receiving eight nods, Skeleton Coast failed to clinch any award; neither did The Weekend, which won the awards for Best Film, Achievement in Cinematography, and Achievement in Screenplay at the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) late in 2024. Mai Martaba, Nigeria’s submission to the Oscars in 2024, also left with no award.
Other than Freedom Way, Clarence Peters’ Inside Life, Lisabi: The Uprising, and Seven Doors, other successful contenders in major categories left with one award each. Suspicion took home Best Sound, Christmas in Lagos Best Costume Design, and Inkabi Best Editing. The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos and Untying Kantai won their only nominations, Best Cinematography and Best Writing in a Series, respectively.
Finally, in the AMVCA flagship categories, Iyo Prosper Adokiye was named Best Digital Content Creator for We Listen We Don’t Judge (Bible Edition), director Kayode Kasum was named
AMVCA 2025 Trailblazer, and both Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu were awarded the Industry Merit Award.
Below is the full list of nominations.
Best Movie
Lisabi: The Uprising (Adedimeji Lateef and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji)
Skeleton Coast (Rogers Ofime, Panashe Daringo and Charles Okpaleke)
Suspicion (Tosin Igho)
Inkabi (Princess Mhlongo)
House of Ga’a (Bolanle Austen-Peters and Joseph Umoibom)
Freedom Way (Blessing Uzzi) (WINNER)
Christmas in Lagos (Jadesola Osiberu)
Farmer’s Bride (Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn and Ladun Awobokun)
Best Series (Scripted)
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life (Clarence Peters) (WINNER)
Seven Doors (Femi Adebayo)
Princess on a Hill (Chuka Ejorh, Shayo Oke Sobo, Tolu Ajayi, and Abiola Sobo)
Cheta’M (James Omokwe)
Roses & Ivy (Biodun Stephen)
Best Series (Unscripted)
Style Magnate (Abisola Omolade)
Skillers (The Builders Show) (Bright Jaja, Uche Ikejimba, and Cross Okonkwo)
Ebuka Turns Up Africa (Ebuka Obi-Uchendu, Erika Klopper, Ziyanda Ngcaba, and Olamide Ayodeji Adedeji)
Wa Milele? (Forever) (Kefa Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa) (WINNER)
Uzoamaka Tries Palmwine (Chinekwu Osakwe and Kennedy Ezumah)
Best Director
Robert O. Peters, Skeleton Coast
Norman Maake, Inkabi
Bolanle Austen-Peters, House of Ga’a
Awam Amkpa, The Man Died (WINNER)
Daniel Emeka Oriahi, The Weekend
Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, Tope Adebayo, Seven Doors
Best Lead Actor
Gideon Okeke, Tòkunbò
Bucci Franklin, The Weekend
Femi Branch, House of Ga’a
Thapelo Mokoena, Skeleton Coast
Bimbo Manuel, Princess on a Hill
Stan Nze, Suspicion
Femi Adebayo, Seven Doors (WINNER)
Adedimeji Lateef, Lisabi: The Uprising
Best Lead Actress
Chioma Chukwuka, Seven Doors (WINNER)
Gbubemi Ejeye, Farmer’s Bride
Uzoamaka Onuoha, Agemo
Uche Montana, Thinline
Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Phoenix Fury
Hilda Dokubo, The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Bimbo Ademoye, Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre
Best Supporting Actor
Gabriel Afolayan, Clarence Peters’ Inside Life (WINNER)
Adedayo “Macaroni” Adebowale, Lisabi: The Uprising
Aliu Gafar, Seven Doors
Femi Jacobs, Freedom Way
Richard Mofe-Damijo, Christmas in Lagos
Uzor Arukwe, Suspicion
Mike Afolarin, House of Ga’a
Efa Iwara, Princess on a Hill
Best Supporting Actress
Meg Otanwa, Clarence Peters’ Inside Life
Tina Mba, Suspicion
Ireti Doyle, All’s Fair in Love
Ini Dima-Okojie, Skeleton Coast
Mercy Aigbe, Farmer’s Bride (WINNER)
Omoni Oboli, The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3
Darasimi Nadi, Aburo
Best Writing (Movie)
The Weekend (Egbemawei Dimiyei Sammy, Vanessa Kanu, and Frederick O. Anyaebunam Jr.)
Skeleton Coast (Omolola Lamikanra)
Freedom Way (Blessing Uzzi) (WINNER)
Phoenix Fury (Ifeoma N. Chukwuogo)
A Ghetto Love Story (Victoria Eze)
House of Ga’a (Tunde Babalola)
Christmas in Lagos (Jadesola Osiberu)
Best Writing (TV Series)
Untying Kantai (Abel Mutua Musyoka) (WINNER)
Tuki? (Mercy Mutisya)
Roses & Ivy (Biodun Stephen and Abimbola Akinrinbola)
Cheta’M (Ifeanyi Chidi Barbara)
Seven Doors (Adebayo Tijani, Yinka Laoye, and Soyombo-Oluyombo Oluwagbemiga)
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (Shola Dada)
Princess on a Hill (Bibi Ukpo, Niyi Adeniji and Sonia Nwosu)
Best Cinematography
Yen Ara Asaase Ni (This Is Our Land) (Onasis Gaisie, Michael Sefa and Apagnawen Annankra)
Inkabi (Chuanne Blofield)
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (Leo Purman) (WINNER)
Skeleton Coast (Wesley Johnston)
Soft Love (Ebrahim Hajee)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Barnabas Emordi and Nora Awolowo)
Agemo (Papama Tangela)
Best Editing
Inkabi (Tongai Furusa) (WINNER)
Christmas in Lagos (Martini Akande)
Skeleton Coast (Jordan Koen)
Soft Love (Holmes Awa and Paballo Modingoane)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Ayomikun Oteju)
Princess on a Hill (Laughter Ephraim and Peter Ugbede)
Best Costume Design
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (Toyin Ogundeji)
House Of Ga’a (Bolanle Austen-Peters, Yolanda Okereke, Juliana Dede, and Gloria Ovu)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Oluwatoyin Balogun and Oyebade Adebimpe Adedimeji)
Phoenix Fury (Opeyemi Sogeke)
Christmas in Lagos (Adedamola Adeyemi) (WINNER)
Best Makeup
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (Hakeem Onilogbo – Hakeem Effect)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Hakeem Onilogbo – Hakeem Effect) (WINNER)
Seven Doors (Hakeem Onilogbo – Hakeem Effect)
Farmer’s Bride (Abejide Oluwatosin Mercy)
Clarence Peters’ Inside Life (Kpoudosu Winifred)
Suspicion (Tracy Izogie, Adeleke Toluwalashe Maigari, Abisoye Balogun and Oby Kinika)
Best Score/Music
Inkabi (Seoli Bongani Mashaba)
Freedom Way (Ahuurra Andrew, Kehinde ‘Louddaaa’ Alabi, and Cobhams Asuquo
Seven Doors (Tolu Obanro) (WINNER)
Soft Love (Kolade Morankinyo – “MPSE” and Efa Iwara – “Love and Hate”)
Skeleton Coast (Chris Letcher)
Best Sound/Sound Design
Inkabi (Vaughn Philips)
Seven Doors (Tolu Obanro, Pius Fatoke and Adam Songbird)
Freedom Way (Ahuurra Andrew and Olushola Wilson)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Tolu Obanro and Bode Odeyemi)
Ajakaju: Beast of Two Worlds (Adam Songbird, Pius Fatoke and Tolu Obanro)
Suspicion (Michael Botha, Olaosebikan Okonrende and Dil Chike Ajufo) (WINNER)
Best Art Director
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (Kunle Afolayan and Soliu Quadri Afolabi)
Christmas In Lagos (Joy Kadiri)
Farmer’s Bride (Daniel Okoi)
Seven Doors (Tunji Afolayan)
The Man Died (Theo Lawson)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Soliu Badu Noutical and Ayanmo Yakub) (WINNER)
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa) – Audience Voting
Seven Doors (Femi Adebayo)
Lisabi: The Uprising (Adedimeji Lateef and Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji (WINNER)
Kaka (Prince Daniel)
Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre (Kunle Afolayan)
Mai Martaba (Prince Daniel)
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) – Audience Voting
The Caller (Brian Munene)
Makosa Di Tangu (Abel Mutua Musyoka) (WINNER)
Sabotage (Humphrey Nabimanya and Mathew Nabwiso)
Wa Milele? (Kefa Hussein Igilo and Jerryson Onasaa)
The Empty Grave (Cece Mlay and Agnes Lisa Wegner)
Best Indigenous Language Film (Southern Africa) – Audience Voting
Walvis Tale (Tim Huebschle and David Benade)
The Vow (Elvis Chuks)
Mwizukanji (Cosmas Ng’andwe) (WINNER)
Man of Gold (Emmanuel Mwape)
Lukas (Philippe Talavera)
Best Short Film – Audience Voting
Sukari (Omar Hamza)
Brukaci (Jide JBlaze Oyegbile) (WINNER)
What Are You Truly Afraid Of? (Nora Awolowo)
In Bloom: ‘Afefe’ (MTV Staying Alive Foundation)
The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seyi Ajayi (Abbesi Akhami)
Best Documentary
Walvis Tale (David Benade and Tim Huebschle)
Dùndún (Ifeoluwa Fatogun and Ebi Atawodi) (WINNER)
O.Y.O (On Your Own) (Daniel Omokhagbo Itegboje)
Women of Salt: The Resilience of Ebonyi’s Women (Jessica Eneh, Eric Chidom, Kelechi Agbara and Vera Okoh)
I Will Remember You (Mohamed Rida Gueznai)
Best Scripted M-Net Original – Audience Voting
Uriri (Xavier Ighorodje)
All Mine (Hadizat Ibrahim)
My Fairytale Wedding (Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo) (WINNER)
Italo (Rogers Ofime)
The Caller (Brian Munene)
Kam U Stay (Damaris Irungu Ochieng)
Best Unscripted M-Net Original – Audience Voting
Nigerian Idol (Kassim Sulaiman and Anneke De Ridder) (WINNER)
Pastor Wants a Wife, Zambia (Mubanga Kafwimbi and Clement Mazimba)
Overall Best (Uche Ikejimba)
Husband Material (Uche Ikejimba)
The Queens of Kopala (Maurice Raydo Malowa)
Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Audience Voting
Mai Shayi (Bem Pever)
The Caller (Brian Munene)
Zim Ụzọ (Show Me the Way) (Nnodim Chigozie) (WINNER)
Ebighi Ebi (Florence Okechukwu and Iyke Okechukwu)
Subterranea (Brian Munene and Likarion Wainaina)
Onye Agbata Obim (Alozie Newman)
Amoanimaa’s Era (Kwabena Gyansah)
Best Multichoice Talent Factory – Audience Voting
Gone – West Africa
Everything Light Touches – West Africa (Olamide Glover and Morenikeji Uka) (WINNER)
The Immersive Alarm – East Africa
Deadbeat – East Africa
Mwananga – Southern Africa
Rivals in Time – Southern Africa
Best Digital Content Creator – Audience Voting
Iyo Prosper Adokiye, We Listen We Don’t Judge (Bible Edition) (WINNER)
Maryam “Taaooma” Apaokagi-Greene, Tips
Elozonam Ogbolu, Hoviare Freedom and Chiamaka Uzokwe, Who is Sarah?
Jide Pounds Ibitoye, Abike Ati Asola
Ariyiikedimples and Brainjotter, Risky
Trailblazer Award – Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Award – Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh