My Father’s Shadow Wins Best Film at AMVCA 2026

LAGOS — Akinola Davies Jr’s film My Father’s Shadow has won Best Movie at the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The film’s victory was one of the most celebrated moments of the AMVCA ceremony, which took place on May 9, 2026.

My Father’s Shadow has had a remarkable year. The film became the first Nigerian entry at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where it received critical praise from international audiences and reviewers. Its AMVCA win adds to a growing list of accolades.

Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman also made history at the awards ceremony. Her outstanding performance earned her recognition in a major category at the AMVCAs, making her one of the most celebrated actresses at this year’s event.

The 12th AMVCA featured a highly competitive Best Lead Actor category. Nominees included Lateef Adedimeji for his role in Lisabi, William Benson for To Kill A Monkey, and Mike Ezuruonye for Oversabi Aunty. The film The Herd led all nominees with nine nominations.

Lateef Adedimeji had a particularly strong showing at this year’s AMVCAs. The actor received a record number of nominations across multiple categories and is widely regarded as one of Nollywood’s most bankable stars. His nomination for Lisabi, a historical drama about the legendary Egba warrior, drew significant attention.

The AMVCA ceremony, organized by MultiChoice Africa, is one of the most prestigious film and television awards in Africa. It celebrates the best productions from Nigeria and across the continent. The 2026 edition saw a record number of entries and a highly enthusiastic audience response.

Nollywood is entering a strong period of growth. The industry is attracting increasing investment from streaming platforms including Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. Several Nigerian productions have gained international audiences, reinforcing the industry’s global appeal.

The 2026 AMVCA also highlighted the growing diversity of Nigerian storytelling. Winners came from a range of genres including drama, comedy, and historical fiction, reflecting the breadth of content Nollywood now produces.

Organizers say the 13th AMVCA will be held in 2027, with submissions expected to open later this year. Industry insiders say the competition is likely to be even fiercer as Nollywood continues to raise its production standards.