There are award shows—and then there’s the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. The 11th edition, held in Lagos on May 10, 2025, reaffirmed its place as Africa’s most prestigious celebration of film and television and its most anticipated fashion spectacle. What began over a decade ago as a platform to recognise excellence in African storytelling has evolved into something even grander—a cultural convergence where the art of cinema and the theatre of fashion collide in breathtaking harmony.
This year, the red carpet didn’t just precede the event—it set the tone. Before a single trophy was handed out, the cameras were already working overtime. Gowns swept, suits strutted, and the steps of the Eko Hotel transformed into something akin to the Met Gala—only warmer, louder, and more rooted in heritage. It was a feast of colour, craftsmanship, and confidence. A high-octane, fashion-forward declaration of who we are, and more importantly, who we are becoming.
There was a silent agreement among guests this year: mediocrity was not an option. Every outfit that hit the carpet came with intention. Some designers delivered architectural masterpieces in crystal-studded fabrics that hugged every curve and commanded every flash. Others leaned into femininity and structure with a blend of grace and drama. The men married sharp tailoring with modern silhouettes, proving that menswear in Africa doesn’t have to be traditional to be powerful.
But fashion wasn’t just an accessory to the evening—it was part of the storytelling. It wasn’t just about who wore what. It was how they wore it. With pride, ease, and an understanding that this red carpet isn’t just about style—it’s about visibility. In a global landscape still learning to fully embrace African aesthetics, AMVCA’s fashion moment felt like a clarion call: we are not emerging—we have arrived. And the world is watching.
Inside the venue, the evening unfolded with all the elegance and emotion expected of a night that honours the best in African cinema and television. Freedom Way clinched the Best Movie award, a well-deserved win for a film that captured both critical acclaim and audience admiration. Seven Doors was another standout, with powerhouse performances from Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka earning them Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively. The film also snagged the debut award for Best Original Score, composed by Tolu Obanro.
Lisabi: The Uprising dominated the technical categories—winning Best Makeup, Best Art Direction, and Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)—cementing its reputation as a visual and cultural force. Inside Life walked away with Best Scripted Series and a Supporting Actor win for Gabriel Afolayan. The industry’s digital evolution was celebrated too, with Iyo Prosper Adokiye winning Best Digital Content Creator, and Brukaci honoured as Best Short Film.
It was also a night for recognising legends. Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu received the Industry Merit Awards for their decades of dedication to African cinema. Meanwhile, director Kayode Kasum was named Trailblazer, a fitting nod to the new guard of filmmakers reshaping the landscape.
But even with the emotion of the speeches and the prestige of the awards, the fashion remained the night’s most viral export. Within hours, AMVCA red carpet looks flooded international fashion pages. Style critics dissected hemlines, embellishments, and silhouettes. Celebrities were celebrated not just for their talent, but for their taste. Nigerian fashion had, once again, found itself at the centre of a global conversation—loud, proud, and impossible to ignore.
The 11th AMVCA was, in many ways, a snapshot of where the industry is now—polished, powerful, and unapologetically African. It honoured heritage while embracing innovation. It balanced elegance with edge. And in doing so, it proved that the African entertainment space is no longer borrowing from global frameworks—it is building its own.
Here are just a few of our favourite looks from AMVCA 11. Because while the awards recognised the stories that moved us, the red carpet reminded us of the ones still waiting to be told—stitched in sequins, shaped in silk, and worn like armour.
