It’s that time of year when movie stars and their fans take center stage on the red carpet and await the presentation of awards to deserving winners.
Tonight marks the 9th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), and anticipation is running high as enthusiastic viewers prepare to watch the show with great expectations.
The events leading up to today’s show commenced on Thursday with a cultural night, followed by a runway show and nominee gala. The climax of these festivities will be tonight’s awards presentation, featuring stunning ensembles and captivating red carpet moments.
As expected, movie stars will dazzle on the red carpet, while also keeping their sights on the prestigious awards. Regardless of the outcome tonight, one thing is certain: there will be winners and losers. In the meantime, here’s our take on what we can expect!
Who are the top contenders?
Kunle Afolayan’s full-length feature film, “ANIKULAPO,” which received 16 nominations, is on the verge of making history. This mystical folklore drama, centered around the life of an ambitious young man seeking a better life in the great Oyo Kingdom, is considered a front-runner for awards such as Best Movie, Best Director, Soundtrack, and Cinematography, among others. However, “Brotherhood” is also gaining momentum and could pose a challenge. Another strong competition for the Best Overall Movie crown includes Kayode Kasum’s “Ile Owo,” Mugisha Morris’ “Tembele,” and Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi’s “Four Four Forty-Four.” Let the best movies prevail!
Stars to watch out for
The Best Actor in Drama category is one of the most prestigious awards of the night, featuring nominees who have proven their talent time and time again. Whoever takes home this coveted prize tonight will be capable of standing tall at any award show worldwide. The nominees include Blossom Chukwujekwu (“The Trade”), Chidi Mokeme (“Shanty Town”), Chimezie Imo (“Choke”), Daniel Etim-Effiong (“Kofa”), Femi Adebayo (“King of Thieves”), NKakalukanyi Patriq (“Tembele”), O.C. Ukeje (“Black Mail”), Richard Mofe Damijo (“Four Four Forty-Four”), Tobi Bakre (“Brotherhood”), and Tope Tedela (“All The Colours Of The World Are Between”). It will be a night of fierce competition and validation, with many tipping Daniel Etim-Effiong for the coveted award based on his excellent performance in “Kofa,” a thought-provoking film about insurgency in Nigeria. He previously won the Best Actor award for the same film at last year’s Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), proving his capabilities. Chidi Mokeme’s much-talked-about performance in “Shanty Town” alongside the heavyweight Richard Mofe Damijo cannot be ignored either. In any case, there are no underdogs among the nominees.
Similarly, the competition will be fierce in the Best Actress categories for both Comedy and Drama. With a stellar lineup of nominees for Best Actress in a Comedy, including Albert Oluwatoyin (“Visa On Arrival”), Bimbo Ademoye (“Selina”), Roselyn Ngissah (“Red Carpet”), Funke Akindele (“Battle On Buka Street”), Grace Wacuka (“Married to Work”), and Mercy Johnson, who received double nominations for her roles in “Battle On Buka Street” and “Passport,” we can expect intense competition.
In the Best Actress in a Drama category, it appears to be a tight race between Ini Edo for her role in “Shanty Town
