The African Movie Viewers’ Choice Award (AMVCA) this year is one many people are still talking about. This year not only had a beautiful turnout, but the nominees and attendees looked exceptionally good at the award show. Yes, there were some fashion misses, but for the most part, everyone looked very much like a star.
For the last nine years, the AMVCA has consistently honoured those worthy for their exquisite performances and roles in the Nigerian movie industry (Nollywood), and this year was no exception. We saw some of our favourites go home with well-deserved awards while others went home disappointed, but most importantly, we saw them all at their best.
Like every other award show, there were some great and not-so-great moments, but we are here only for the moments that made it a huge success. Here are some great highlights from the event this year.
Top 10 Highlights
Shanty Town Series Bagged Only One Win Out of Ten Nominations
Despite holding the top spot on Netflix’s top ten TV programme chart in Nigeria for weeks, Shanty Town failed to receive the expected recognition. Nominated 10 times across various categories, the series only bagged one award, which was for BEST MAKEUP (MOVIE/TV SERIES), awarded to Maryam Ndukwe, the lead makeup artist for the series. This left fans and many critics with mixed emotions.
Osas Ighodaro’s Unexpected Win
This win came as a shock to everyone and perhaps to Osas herself, but we will never know. The awards were entirely in the hands of the viewers, and the votes cast by Osas’ fans propelled her to the top of the nominee list. The win for Best Actress in a Drama didn’t sit well with fans and critics. The category was strongly contested by talents like Bimbo Ademoye, Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ini Dima-Okojie, Scarlet Gomez, etc. Her win caused a stir on the day of the award and online.
The Best Dressed Drama
We all know the AMVCA is not only about movie awards but also about fashion. The AMVCA is the most watched red carpet event in Africa, and many memorable fashion moments are delivered on the red carpet. The stars strutted the red carpet in dramatic outfits that kept us all on the edge of our seats, but only one male and one female walked away on the night with the award for best dressed. This year, Beauty Tukura won the award for best-dressed female, while Enioluwa won the award for best-dressed male. This wasn’t the people’s prediction, but the rules are simple: vote for your favourite, and they get to the top.
Legendary Actress Patience Ozokwor Receives Industry Merit Award
This was long overdue, and we all know it. Patience Ozokwor, popularly called Mama G, is a veteran and talented actress who has graced our screens for many years with her acting prowess. Ozokwor, over the years, has been an inspiration to many talented actors and actresses; she is a force to be reckoned with in the industry. There was unanimous agreement among all that she deserved to win the award.
Tobi Bakre is the New Idan of Nollywood
Tobi Bakre put in the work, appearing in movies like ‘Blood Covenant’ and ‘Brotherhood’, which showcased his exceptional talent as an actor. This bagged him the Best Actor in a Drama award, which had a close contender in Chidi Mokeme. This was a well-deserved win for Tobi. He took to his Twitter handle later that night to thank his fans, saying, “Thank you. Family! Tobination! All of the BBN families. All my friends and supporters out there. We did it!!!! Zu! Esther! Priceless to give special mention and many, many more! We did it! Thank you!!!! Rico! This one is for you, my Amigoooooo”
The Trade Overlooked
While Jade Osiberu’s Brotherhood gained well-deserved attention and praise, her movie ”The Trade” remained in the shadows. With exceptional acting, a talented cast, and a compelling storyline, The Trade had all the ingredients of a remarkable film but never reached the spotlight at the AMVCA.
Blossom Chukwujekwu’s stellar performance in the movie was hailed as his best to date. Unfortunately, despite receiving four nominations, The Trade didn’t win any awards, and this left many fans of the movie disappointed.
Ik Osakioduwa’s Shocking Pitch to the AMVCA
Ik went below the belt, to the shock of all those who attended and watched the award show. First, he threw jabs at Yemi Okonlawon for never winning an AMVCA, which we can only imagine must have made the actor uncomfortable, and went further to suggest that a new category of awards be added to the ceremony for cosmetic surgery with a cheeky reference to Toke Makinwa, who looked on in distaste at the host.
Iyanya and Tiwa Savage Performed
Tiwa Savage set the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards stage on fire with an energetic performance as she sang alongside Spyro, one of her most recent collaborators.
Together, they performed the hit song ‘Who’s Your Guy?’ to the audience’s delight. Tiwa Savage also performed ‘Stamina’ and ‘Somebody’s Son”, singing live and displaying her vocal prowess. The performance was undoubtedly one of the most exciting things during the show.
Also, Iyanya took to the stage, performing songs like “One Side” and “Like,” the latter featuring Davido and Kizz Daniel. His live performance had guests dancing and singing along.
Tacha’s $20,000 Dress
Big Brother Naija star Tacha caused a media frenzy when she announced her dress cost a whopping twenty thousand dollars—a whopping nine million in Naira. Did the dress look worth the price? Maybe or maybe not, but the electric blue bedazzled see-through dress with exaggerated sleeves by designer Tolu Bally was one of the most talked-about looks on the red carpet this year.
Anikulapo Bagged Five Awards
Anikulapo was the biggest winner of the night. The movie rose to victory, bagging five awards out of the sixteen nominations it received. This came as no surprise because Kunle Afolayan is known for producing masterpieces. Anikolapo’s impeccable production quality, captivating storytelling, and captivating soundtrack made it a big winner this year.
Below is the list of winners at the 2023 AMVCA:
Best Actor in a Comedy – (Movie/TV Series)
Samuel Perry (Broda Shaggi) –Inside Life
Best Actress in a Comedy – (Movie/TV Series)
Bimbo Ademoye – Selina
Best Actor in a Drama – (Movie/TV Series)
Tobi Bakre – Brotherhood
Best Actress in a Drama – (Movie/TV Series)
Osas Ighodaro – Man of God
Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series)
Abdisattar Ahmed – Gacal
Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series)
Efe Irele – Four Four Forty Four
Best Short Film
Adeoye Adetunji – Pa Aromire
Best Online Social Content Creator
Elozonam, Kie Kie – Back From The Future
Best Original Telenovela
Mpali
Best Unscripted Original
King Bugar
Best Original Comedy Series
Njoro Wa Uba
Best Original Drama Series
Ricordi
Best Art Director
Wale Adeleke – King Of Thieves (Agesinkole)
Best Costume Designer (Movie/TV Series)
Adeola Art-Alade – The Real Housewives of Lagos (Reunion Episode)
Best Lighting Designer (Movie/TV Series)
Mathew Yusuf – Brotherhood
Best Picture Editor (Movie/TV Series)
Holmes Awa & Daniel Tom – Crime & Justice
Best Sound Editor (Movie/TV Series)
Anu Afolayan – Anikulapo
Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series)
Kent Edunjobi – Anikulapo
Best Makeup (Movie/TV Series)
Maryam Ndukwe, Hakeem Effects Onilogbo – Shanty Town
Best Writer (Movie/TV Series)
Sola Dada – Anikulapo
Best Cinematographer (Movie/TV Series)
Loukman Ali – Brotherhood
Best Movie, Southern Africa
Jewel – Elvis Chucks
Best Movie, East Africa
Click Click Bang – Philip Karanja Njenga
Best Movie, West Africa
Brotherhood – Jade Osiberu
Best Television Series
Crime & Justice – Yinka Edward
Best Documentary
Nigeria-the Debut – Nora Awolowo
Best Director
Loukman Ali – Brotherhood
The Multichoice Talent Factory Film
Leaked
Best Indigenous Language, Swahili (Movie/TV Series)
Philip Karanja Njenga – Click Click Bang
Best Indigenous Language, Yoruba (Movie/TV Series)
Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan
Best Indigenous Language, Hausa (Movie/TV Series)
Aisha – Abubakar Bashir Maishadda
Best Indigenous Language, Igbo (Movie/TV Series)
Uhuruchi – Victor Iyke
Best Overall Movie, Africa
Anikulapo – Kunle Afolayan
Industry Merit Award
Patience Ozokwor
The Trailblazer Award
Angel Onigwe
Best Dressed Male
Enioluwa Adeoluwa
Best Dressed Female
Beauty Tukura
