Tag Archives: Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards

AMVCA 2024 nominees revealed

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MultiChoice channel Africa Magic has revealed the nominees for the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

Dr Busola Tejumola

The award categories include Best Actor and Best Actress in a leading or supporting role, Best Short Film, Best Movie, Best Director, Best Documentary, Best Indigenous Language (West Africa), Best Unscripted Series, Best Leading Actress and Best MultiChoice Talent Factory.

The nominees in the Best Lead Actor category are Wale Ojo (Breath of Life), Stan Nze (Afamefuna), Marc Zinga (Omen), Gideon Okeke (Egun), Daniel Ezekiel (Blood Vessel), Richard Mofe-Damijo (The Black Book), Lateef Adedimeji (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior) and Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos).

Up for Best Lead Actress are Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge), Lucie Debay (Omen), Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade), Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi), Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel), Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata), Kehinde Bankole (Adire) and Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah).

The Best MultiChoice Talent Factory category nominees are Grown, Her Dark Past, Somewhere in Kole, Full-Time Husband, The 11th Commandment and Mfumukazi.

In Best Unscripted Series, Lol Naija (S1), Nightlife In Lasgidi, The Real Housewives of Lagos (S2), GH Queens (Season 2) and Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (S1) have all received nominations.

The nominees in the Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) category are Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi), Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo), Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan), Orisa (Odunlade Adekola) and Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah).

Dr Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said: “The quality of entries received was simply outstanding and the jury had their work cut out for them in shortlisting the nominees. This year’s line-up is exceptional, reflecting the diversity and creativity prevalent in African cinema and television, and we can’t wait to celebrate them.”

The AMVCA ceremony will take place on May 11 in Lagos, Nigeria.

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Rattlesnake sweeps Africa Magic awards

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Nollywood movie Rattlesnake – The Ahanna Story was the big winner at the eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), taking home four gongs.

At last weekend’s ceremony in Lagos, Rattlesnake won for Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Director and Best Cinematographer.

Meanwhile, The Rishantes, from Dimbo Atiya, won Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series. It beat competition from Movement-Japa (Femi Odugbemi), Riona (James Omokwe), Unmarried (Uche Ikejimba), Dilemma (Uche Ikejimba), Venge (Tosin Igho & Rogba Arimoro), Eve (Winifred Nwokedi) and Enakhe (Victor Sanchez Aghahowa).

The Mystic River, from Rogers Ofime, won the Best Television Series award. The other nominees were The Smart Money Woman, Rumour Has It S3, Little Black Book, My Name A-Zed, Butuku and Jenifa’s Diary.

Elsewhere, the Best MultiChoice Talent Factory award was won by Daisy Masembe for her comedy short film Engaito, beating nominees including Bride Untangled (Abisola Aboaba), Nyau- Masuzyo Mwale, Cosmas Ngandwe, Abel Ngoma and Edward Sakala, Rebirth (Brian Ontiri), Oko K3 Akueteh (Christine Boateng and Eric Okyerefo).

Veteran Nigerian actress, journalist and television presenter Taiwo Ajai-Lycett received the industry merit award, while the Trailblazer award was presented to Teni Aladese for outstanding achievement from a young and upcoming act.

The eighth edition of the AMVCAs was organised by Africa Magic in association with pay TV group MultiChoice. The event was hosted by Nigerian TV presenter IK Osakioduwa and South African radio host and presenter Bonang Matheba.

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Osakioduwa, Matheba to host 8th AMVCA

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IK Osakioduwa and Bonang Matheba

Nigerian TV presenter IK Osakioduwa and South African radio host and TV presenter Bonang Matheba have been named as the hosts for the eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), set to take place on May 14 in Lagos.

Matheba has hosted several awards shows and events, including 2016’s MTV Africa Music Awards, 2016’s BET Awards and Miss South Africa 2019, while Osakioduwa is the current host of the ongoing Nigerian Idol S7 competition and has hosted lots of other high-profile shows including Big Brother Africa.

Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and West Africa channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “We are excited to have Bonang join IK as co-host for the eighth edition of the AMVCAs. They are both extremely talented and have attained continental acclaim having both hosted some of Africa’s biggest shows. Together they will keep the crowd entertained on the biggest night to celebrate African film and TV stars.”

Bonang added: “It’s been a long time coming. It’s always such an honour to host live productions and I think after Covid-19, we haven’t had the opportunity to be outside to have these big, big productions with live studio audiences. So it’s lovely to have all of that back. It’s also an honour. Any single stage I get to step on is an honour. I’ve always wanted to work with IK. I am a huge fan of his, so I’m looking forward to that too.”

“I feel really honoured to be hosting the AMVCAs again. I’m also really excited about the decision to honour the social media content creators with a category of their own. Trust me when I say, without a doubt this year is going to be another amazing outing for the African film industry,” added Osakioduwa.

The event is produced and broadcast by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and is sponsored by drinks brand Amstel Malta. It will air live on Africa Magic channels on DStv and GOtv at 4pm WAT on May 14.

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Victor Okhai to head AMVCA judges

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Victor Okhai, a seasoned producer, scriptwriter, cinematographer, director and film consultant, has been appointed head judge of the eighth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs).

Victor Okhai

He is the current national president of the Directors’ Guild of Nigeria, founder and director of IN-Short Film Festival, the biggest short film festival in sub-Saharan Africa, and a member of the Nigerian Oscar Selection Committee.

In 2013, Okhai was nominated as Africa’s foremost film promoter by Tanzania-based Africa Film Development Association. He is a board member of the African Film Consortium and the Mokolo project, an Africa film database supported by the German Foreign Ministry, and a member of the National Advisory Committee on film development in Nigeria to the Nigeria Film Corporation.

Busola Tejumola, executive head of content and West Africa Channels at MultiChoice Nigeria, said: “We are delighted to have Mr Okhai head the nomination and judging process for the eighth edition of the AMVCAs. He brings decades’ worth of knowledge and experience in the local and international film and TV industry to this critical role. We are certain his involvement in this edition will further reaffirm the AMVCAs’ commitment to professionalism in recognising and showcasing exceptional works on the continent.”

Okhai said: “I am delighted to be appointed head judge of the AMVCA for 2022. It is, in my view, the most credible and most glamorous awards ceremony on the continent today. You, the viewers, will have a voice in the judging process, experienced industry practitioners will be on the jury and above all, Deloitte will verify and audit the process to guarantee the integrity of the awards. Winning the AMVCA is the ultimate badge of honour and recognition for excellence and hard work.”

The eighth edition of the AMVCAs is scheduled to take place in Lagos later in the year and is produced by Africa Magic in association with MultiChoice and is sponsored by Amstel Malta.

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AMVCA crowns winners

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AMVCA hosts IK Osakioduwa and Amina Abdi Rabar

The seventh edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) took place on Saturday at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

Anchored by Amina Abdi Rabar and Ik Osakioduwa, the event had media personalities and Nollywood stars in glamorous outfits.

The nominations included Best Short Film/Online Video, Best Movie West Africa, Best Overall Movie and Best Television Series. Other special awards were the Trailblazer Award and Industry Merit Award.

Veteran broadcaster and filmmaker Peter Igho and his son Tosin Igho were honoured with the Legend award and Best Picture award respectively. Peter Igho received the industry merit award for his tremendous contribution to the film and television industry.

The Best Television Series award was taken by Truth (Anis Halloway), beating three other nominees including Jenifa’s Diary, Life as It Is and Women.

The winner of the best documentary award was Beverly Naya for her film Skin. Other nominees were Hidden Euphoria (Aderogba Adedeji), Against All Odds: A Tale of Resilience (Aderemi Davies) and Ibadan: Yoruba Heritage (Tunde Oladimeji).

The Best Movie for West Africa was awarded to Steve Gukas for his film Living In Bondage. Other nominees were God Calling (Momo Spaine), Seven (Tosin Igho), Elevator Baby (Victoria Akujobi) and Ratnik (Dimeji Ajibola).

Promises (East Africa) won the MultiChoice Talent Factory Award out of the six films that were produced by students of MTF’s class of 2019 and nominated by the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards in the newly launched MTF Award category. Other nominees included Life of Bim (West Africa), DreamChaser (West Africa), Ensulo (East Africa), Savannah Skies (Southern Africa) and The Painting (Southern Africa).

The new award for Best Dressed Male and Female went to Mike Edwards and Mercy Eke of the just concluded Big Brother Naija season four, while the Trailblazer award was given to Nollywood actor Jide Kene Achifusi (aka Swanky JKA) in recognition of an outstanding performance in Living in Bondage in which he played the lead role. He also won a new car.

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Awards to go ahead despite virus fears

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African pay TV group MultiChoice has revealed that it will still go on with the production of two of its own award shows in Nigeria despite coronavirus cases being confirmed in Nigeria and South Africa.

The ceremonies, the 2020 DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards (MVCAs) in South Africa and the seventh Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), are both set to be held on March 14.

According to MultiChoice: “Next Saturday’s live televised award ceremonies are both still a go and we are monitoring the situation closely and taking it day by day.”

No events or productions have been cancelled or scaled back. Production is also continuing on M-Net’s eighth season of Survivor South Africa, entitled Survivor SA: Immunity Island, while BBC Studios Africa is continuing with a media event and press screening on Saturday of its new documentary series Seven Worlds, One Planet, coming to BBC Earth (DStv 184).

South African public broadcaster e.tv News, eNCA, MultiChoice, M-Net and StarSat are yet to make any public statements about what they might be doing differently in light of the coronavirus and its spread across the continent.

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MNet scraps 2019 award shows

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African pay TV group MultiChoice’s flagship channel MNet has announced it will not be televising two of its own award shows this year.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) and DStv Mzansi Viewers’ Choice Awards (DMVCAs) will not be aired due to the inability to find sponsors to share the production costs that come with mounting the shows.

The AMVCAs, which started in 2013 to promote and recognise African TV and film productions from across West, East and Southern Africa, had its sixth edition in September 2018 in Lagos. The DMVCAs, which began in 2017 to promote and recognise South Africa’s entertainment industry, had its second edition in November 2018.

According to MultiChoice Africa, the AMVCAs might return in the future while the DMVCAs will take place some time in 2020.

“The AMVCAs requires huge funding to make happen, as well as an alignment between the production, competition and commercial teams, as well as staging it in Nigeria, where there are limited venues capable of a production of this scale,” MultiChoice said.

 

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AMVCA winners unveiled

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The sixth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) was hosted on Saturday evening at the Eko Hotels & Suites in Lagos.

Media personalities and movie stars from across the continent were present at the ceremony, dressed up and ready to have some fun.

The AMVCAs had some 120 nominations in 27 categories. These included Best Short Film/Online Video, Best Movie East Africa, Best Overall Movie and Best Television Series. Other special awards were the Trailblazer Award and Industry Merit Award.

The Best Television Series award was taken by This Is It, beating four other nominees that included Gina & Friends, Professor Johnbull, Papa Ajasco Reloaded and Relatives.

Meanwhile, the winner of the best documentary award was Dennis Wanjohi for his film The Flesh Business. Other nominees were Nightfall in Lagos (James Amuta), God’s Wives (Bolanle Olukanni), Styles Defunct by Ayaworanho3d (Aderemi Davies) and Calabar Carnival: What the People Think (Oghenefego Ofili).

Actress and former Big Brother Naija housemate Bisola Aiyeola also won the AMVCA Trailblazer Award, not to mention a car from pay TV group MultiChoice, for her role in the industry.

Renowned filmmaker and producer Tunde Kelani (Arugba, Life in Slow Motion, Dazzling Mirage) was honoured with the Industry Merit Award.

The AMVCAs had its inaugural edition in 2013 and has gone on to become the biggest annual award ceremony celebrating professionals in the film and TV industry in Africa.

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AMVCAs attract 3,000 entries

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Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) have received more than 3,000 entries from across Africa, with the shortlist of nominees to be revealed later this month.

Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas and Nigerian comedian Bovi will unveil the nominees in each category on June 30. The AMVCAs are organised by MultiChoice-owned African broadcaster Africa Magic.

The number of entries was revealed by Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of MultiChoice division M-Net West Africa, who added that the event’s judges had reviewed each entry thoroughly before making selections for the shortlist.

The nominees will be announced live on all Africa Magic channels on DSTV and GOtv at 19.00, West African time.

The annual AMVCAs celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians to the African film and TV industry. The sixth edition will be held on September 1 this year and will be broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels.

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AMVCAs to be held in September

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Pay TV operator MultiChoice has announced that the sixth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) will take place on September 1 this year.

John Ugbe
Entries for the AMVCAs will begin on March 1 and end on April 30. Only films or TV series that were broadcast or publicly screened during the period October 1, 2016 to March 31, 2018 are eligible for entry.

This year’s award ceremony is sponsored by Konga and supported by Nokia and Heritage Bank.

Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of MultiChoice-owned M-Net West Arica, said: “Nearly one year after the last AMVCAs, we are pleased to announce the call to entry for the 2018 edition.”

In all there will be 27 award categories, seven of which will be open to the public, the remaining 20 categories will be deliberated upon by the AMVCA panel of judges. The categories will include; best actor/actress, best director, best scriptwriter, best short film, best movie soundtrack and best costume design.

John Ugbe, MD of MultiChoice Nigeria, added: “We have been inundated by calls from filmmakers across Africa, with everyone asking when the AMVCAs would return for another edition.

“After a brief hiatus, we are thrilled to announce that 2018 will indeed mark the sixth consecutive year of MultiChoice and Africa Magic successfully hosting the AMVCAs and we remain proud of the improvements seen in the industry since the inception of the awards as we know that these cannot be ignored or overstated.

“Furthermore, our continued investment demonstrates our dedication in helping unearth and celebrate talent on continent. We believe the 2018 edition of the AMVCAs will leave an even bigger impact on the African film production industry than the previous five.”

The AMVCAs debuted in 2013, with the aim of celebrating the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in the success of the continent’s film and television industry. It has since become a prestigious annual award event that the film and television industry look forward to.

According to an AMVCA representative, this year’s event is being held in September rather than March because of the ongoing Big Brother Naija show and upcoming Fifa World Cup, which would clash with its awards if they were held in March, as previously.

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AMVCA jury head announced

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M-Net, the MultiChoice-owned TV channel behind the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs), has announced the head of the jury for the 2018 event.

Deborah Odutayo

As the AMVCAs draw closer, taking place in September, veteran filmmaker Deborah Odutayo has been confirmed in the role for this year’s awards.

Commenting on the news, Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, director of M-Net West Africa, said: “Debbie Odutayo is a respected and seasoned television professional who brings extensive experience and renown to the AMVCA judging process.

“Her appointment as head judge is in tandem with the AMVCAs being the biggest celebration of film and television talent in Africa. We are thrilled to have her with us as head judge, and we ask that our viewers stay tuned as preparations for the show enter the final stages.”

With more than 30 years of experience in TV, Odutayo was most recently president of the Electronic Media Content Owners Association of Nigeria, the umbrella body for corporate TV content producers in the country. She also co-founded the Royal Roots Communication Network.

Hosted annually, the AMVCAs celebrate the contribution of African filmmakers, actors and technicians in film and television. For the last five years, they have been hosted in March. However, the sixth edition will be held on September 1 this year.

Entries for this year’s AMVCAs began on March 1 and ended April 30. The 2018 AMVCAs will broadcast live on all Africa Magic channels on MultiChoice’s pay TV platforms DSTV and GOtv.

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Africa Magic names AMVCA hopefuls

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Best TV Series nominee Professor Johnbull

The countdown to the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has begun with the announcement of nominees in the various award categories.

Nigerian comedian Bovi and Ghanian actress Joselyn Dumas unveiled the nominees on Africa Magic channels available on DSTV and GOtv.

Papa Ajasco Reloaded

The 27 award categories include Best Short Film or Online Video, Best Movie East Africa, Best Movie Southern Africa, Best Overall Movie and Best Television Series.

The nominees in the Best Television Series category are Gina & Friends, Professor Johnbull, Papa Ajasco Reloaded, This Is It and Relatives.

Other nominees include Bolanle Olukanni for her documentary God’s Wives, actor Toyin Aimakhu for her role in Tatu and Ik Ogbonna for his role in Excess Luggage.

Voting has begun and will end on August 24. Voting can only be done via the Africa Magic website.

The sixth edition of the AMVCAs is set to be held on September 1.

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Women in TV: Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

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“I’m responsible for my own success and I have never limited my capabilities because I am a woman. I don’t see the gender factor because your performance and consistency will take you far in life.” Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu

March is recognised worldwide as women’s month. In view of this, Content Nigeria is celebrating women who have made an impact in Nigeria’s TV industry.

Today we profile Wangi Mba-Uzoukwu, regional director for West Africa at M-Net, who has proven to be a constant innovator and achiever, inspiring everyone she comes across.

Mba-Uzoukwu has had a passion for broadcasting since she was a child, when she aspired to become a newscaster. After competing in a beauty pageant at 17, she went on to study political science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, forsaking her dreams of studying international relations and becoming a diplomat.

A few years after graduating in 1992, Mba-Uzoukwu started working at marketing agency Tequila Nigeria as its client service manager. She later went on to study direct marketing at the Institute of Direct Marketing in the UK, bagging a post-graduate diploma. Afterwards, she went on to work in the Nigerian offices of several multinational companies, such as British American Tobacco, Coca-Cola and Airtel.

Mba-Uzoukwu joined pay TV broadcaster M-Net Africa in 2012 as its West African regional manager, in charge of strategic planning, marketing and operations.

In 2014, she became the regional director for M-Net’s operations in West Africa, managing its various channels, including Africa Magic Showcase, Africa Magic Family, Africa Magic Epic, Africa Magic Urban, Africa Magic World and three local-language channels: Africa Magic Hausa, Africa Magic Yoruba and Africa Magic Igbo.

She pioneered the launch of Africa Magic Igbo and the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards, driven by her passion for the television and film industry in Nigeria.

According to Mba-Uzoukwu, her ideas are aided by the fact that she launched her career in strategic planning and marketing first. She once said that her husband persuaded her to go into marketing because she seemed to have a zest for it. For Wangi, content is key and the right kind helps to broaden minds.

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