AMVCA: Breath of Life, Jagun Jagun shine at 10th edition

The much anticipated 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards has come to an end following an exciting and star-studded two-day celebration.

Femi Adebayo’s ‘Jagun Jagun’ and BB Sasore’s ‘Breath of Life’ were the biggest winner of the night as the films carted away multiple awards with BB Sasore winning the award for Best director.

This year’s edition was held on May 10 and May 11, 2024, featuring a series of events, the highlights of which include the Young Filmmakers Day, the Cultural Day Celebration, and the main Awards Night.

These events saw the African film and television industry come together to honour outstanding talent and creativity in the industry. From gripping performances to captivating storytelling, the awards truly showcased the best of African cinema.

The awards night was hosted by ace presenter IK Osakioduwa, with notable industry personalities including, Richard Mofe Damijo, Joke Silva, Kehinde Bankole, Wale Ojo, Funke Akindele, Ireti Doyle, Shaffy Bello, Esther Idowu Philips AKA Iya Rainbow, Femi Adebayo, Odunlade Adekola, Tobi Bakre, Layi Wasabi, Toyin Lawani and a host of others.

Commenting on its tenth edition, Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, said, “The Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards was created to honour exceptional achievements in television and film across the continent and we are excited to have been able to keep that fire burning through 10 editions. Year after year, we have received numerous entries and can attest to the growth in the quality of submissions with each edition. While this year’s edition is a milestone edition as it is the 10th, it is also a testament to the growth the film industry in Africa has experienced.

We congratulate all the winners and nominees who have put in the incredible work. We’ll also like to say a big thank you to everyone in the African film industry. You have all made us proud”.

This year’s edition had 28 categories, with 17 non-voting and 9 audience voting categories, and the winners were selected by a jury led by ace filmmaker and head judge, Femi Odugbemi.

Some of the highlights from the awards included Breath of Life and its five wins of the night including Best Movie, Wale Ojo as Best Lead Actor for his role in the movie, Demola Adedoyin and Genoveva Umeh as Best Supporting Actor and Actress, and BB Sasore as Best Director. Kehinde Bankole bagged Best Lead Actress, making it the second time she has won this award following her win in 2015 for her role on October 1. Viewers also experienced a nostalgic performance from Awilo Longomba.

Esther Idowu Philips AKA Iya Rainbow and Richard Mofe-Damijo were the recipients of this year’s Industry Merit Award and Chimezie Imo was the recipient of this year’s Trailblazer Award.

Over the past 10 years, the AMVCA has recognised talent, celebrated artistry, and fostered different crafts. The awards show has not only become a focal point in representing the myriad stories of Africa’s vast diversity — spanning over 3,000 tribes and a population exceeding 1 billion — but has also made a significant economic impact in its enabling country, Nigeria. With an investment of 9 billion naira, it has created over 3,000 direct and indirect jobs every year the awards have been held, reaching an estimated total of 30,000 jobs throughout all its editions.

See the list of winners below

Best Writing Award: Volume

Best writing movie: Fumilayo Ransome Kuti – Tunde Babalola

Best Sound Design: Grey Jones Ossai x2 (Breathe of Life and Blood Vessel)

Best Editing: Antonio Ribeiro

Best Indigenous West Africa. Femi Adebayo Jagun Jagun

Best Digital Content: Layi Wasabi

Best Short Film: Broken Mask

Best Unscripted M-Net Original: Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives)

Best Scripted: Slum King

Best Makeup: Mami Wata (Campbell Precious Arebamen)

Best Art Direction: Over the bridge

Best Costume Design: Jagun Jagun (Lola Awe)

Best Supporting Actress: Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life

Best Supporting Actor: Ademola Adedoyin (Breath of Life)

Best Cinematography: Over the bridge

Best Indigenous MNet Original: Irora Iya

Trailblazer Award: Chimezie Imo

Industry Merit Awards: Iya Rainbow aka Idowu Philips and Richard Mofe Damijo

Best Lead Actress: Kehinde Bankole (Adire)

Best Lead Actor: Wale Ojo (Breath of Life)

Best MultiChoice Talent Factory Movie: Our Dark Past

Best Series (Unscripted): Gh Queens (s2)

Best Series Scripted: Itura

Best Director: BB Sasore (Breath of Life)

Best Movie: Breath of Life