The 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards will crown its Best Movie winner on 9th May at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, with six films competing in what many see as the most fiercely contested race in the ceremony's history.
All six nominees had theatrical runs, a sign of strength in the Nigerian and African cinema market that few predicted five years ago. The films span heist comedy, family drama, revenge thriller, and kidnapping suspense, each backed by serious box office numbers or festival credentials. Bovi Ugboma and Nomzamo Mbatha will host the ceremony, with Joke Silva as Head Judge.
The Herd, directed by Daniel Etim Effiong in his feature debut, opens with an ambushed wedding convoy. Armed men disguised as cattle herdsmen take guests captive, and Adamma, played by Linda Ejiofor, must raise ₦50 million ransom alone while fighting an uncooperative bank, hidden family secrets, and in-laws demanding she divorce her kidnapped husband. The film uses the kidnapping as a lens to examine Nigeria's insecurity crisis, classism, and tribalism. With nine nominations tied alongside Gingerrr, a win would mark one of cinema's most striking debut-to-winner stories.
Behind the Scenes became the first Nollywood film ever to cross ₦2 billion at the West African box office, doing so in just 19 days. Funke Akindele directed and stars as Aderonke Faniran, a real estate entrepreneur whose relentless generosity to family and friends has hollowed her out. The film made Akindele the only filmmaker to break the Nollywood box office record three years running. It earned five nominations including Best Movie and Best Director.
My Father's Shadow takes place on 12th June 1993, election day in Nigeria. Two young brothers spend the day with their largely absent father as he travels from their village into Lagos to collect six months of unpaid wages. The journey through a city on edge during political unrest becomes an unexpected window into who their father really is.
The Serpent's Gift, directed by Kayode Kasum, explores Eastern Nigerian heritage, family inheritance battles, and mysticism through ceremonial Igbo imagery and storytelling. Gingerrr, the female-driven heist comedy that crossed ₦500 million at the box office, rounds out the field. A sixth film also competes in the category, though full details remain to be announced.
The Best Movie verdict carries the weight of all that African cinema produced this year. It judges storytelling, craft, performance, and cultural resonance at once. The winner will be announced at the 9th May ceremony.
