AMVCA-Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.

AMVCA 2026: Glamour, Historic Wins And Nollywood’s Biggest Night of Film & Fashion

Nana Akua Addo arrives dressed like a cathedral

Ghanaian fashion star Nana Akua Addo lived up to her reputation for dramatic AMVCA fashion moments with a silver architectural dress inspired by Cologne Cathedral in Germany.

The heavily structured outfit featured hand-painted window-like details, cathedral-shaped extensions and matching silver accessories, while members of her team helped carry sections of the dress.

Her designer, Abasswoman, told the interviewer that the design process began in November 2025 and was only completed two days before the ceremony.

According to her team, the outfit was inspired by the famous cathedral’s construction, with the dress intended to reflect both grandeur and craftsmanship.

Osas Ighodaro Stuns In Crystal-Encrusted Veekee James Gown At AMVCA 2026

Actress Osas Ighodaro, long regarded as one of the AMVCA red carpet’s most anticipated style stars, once again delivered a standout fashion moment at this year’s ceremony.

Although the AMVCA’s best-dressed category was removed this year, Osas who has won the title several times in previous editions arrived with the kind of elegance and red carpet command that has consistently made her one of Nollywood’s most closely watched fashion figures.

She wore a striking silver corset gown designed by Veekee James, featuring a flowing silhouette embellished with hundreds of stones and crystals that shimmered under the lights.

The look combined structure and glamour, with the corset detailing accentuating her figure while the cascading design added drama and sophistication.

Known for consistently blending high fashion with red carpet poise, Osas once again proved why her AMVCA appearances remain a major talking point, even without an official best-dressed title on the line. Her appearance reinforced her status as one of Nollywood’s enduring fashion icons, with many fans and style watchers eagerly awaiting her look each year.

Uche Montana Channels Fire And Phoenix Energy In Dramatic AMVCA Statement

Nigerian actress Uche Montana arrived at the AMVCA in a bold red-and-gold feathered ensemble she described as symbolising “fire” and “the rising of the phoenix.”

The dramatic look, which immediately drew attention on the red carpet, featured striking feathered detailing and red-studded stones wrapped across both hands, creating a theatrical appearance that blended symbolism, glamour and transformation.

Speaking to the BBC, Uche revealed that the outfit had been in development since the beginning of the year, underscoring the extensive planning behind one of her biggest fashion moments yet.

While declining to disclose the exact cost, she said she spent “a lot” bringing the vision to life, using the moment to challenge a common misconception about celebrity fashion.

“A lot of financial and mental work goes into these looks,” she said, noting that many people wrongly assume stars are fully styled for free by brands.

Her comments offered a rare glimpse into the personal investment, creative pressure and behind-the-scenes commitment often required to produce standout red carpet appearances.

Beyond fashion, the night also marked a major career milestone for the actress.

Uche Montana’s appearance capped off an important AMVCA moment as she received the Trailblazer Award, a non-voting category that recognises rising talents making a significant impact in the industry.

The combination of symbolic fashion and professional recognition positioned her as one of the evening’s standout figures using the red carpet not only as a style platform, but as a statement of growth, resilience and arrival.

Bucci Franklin’s emotional win for ‘To Kill a Monkey’

Away from the fashion spectacle and red carpet theatrics, one of the AMVCA’s most powerful moments came when actor Bucci Franklin won Best Supporting Actor for his role as “Oboz” in To Kill a Monkey.

Franklin’s portrayal of Oboz a loud, fiercely loyal cybercrime boss deeply rooted in Benin street culture earned widespread praise for its intensity, authenticity and cultural precision.

Bucci Franklin’s emotional win for ‘To Kill a Monkey’To prepare for the role, the actor studied Benin-based influencers, local music and dialect nuances, immersing himself in the identity and energy of the character. Many viewers commended the performance for how convincingly it captured a recognisable street persona, particularly resonating with audiences in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region where the character’s identity struck a deeper cultural chord.

His performance stood out not just for its dramatic presence, but for the level of detail that made the character feel lived-in and believable.

Speaking to the BBC after his win, Franklin said the role was far removed from his real personality, but expressed gratitude that he chose to take it on.

The victory carried even deeper emotional weight as he dedicated the award to his mother, whom he lost just seven days before the film’s release.

The tribute added a deeply personal layer to an already career-defining moment, transforming the win from professional recognition into a poignant expression of grief, resilience and remembrance.

To Kill a Monkey also secured Best Cinematography, further cementing the project’s strong impact on the night and reinforcing its artistic credibility beyond individual performances.

For many viewers, Franklin’s win served as a reminder that beyond the glamour of the AMVCA, the ceremony remains a platform where deeply human stories, personal sacrifice and transformative performances take centre stage.

Linda Ejiofor makes history with two big awards

Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the AMVCA’s biggest winners, making history as the first actor to take home both Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd in the same edition.

Her double victory marked one of the night’s most remarkable achievements, placing her performance range, versatility and preparation firmly at the centre of the awards conversation.

Speaking to the BBC after her historic win, Ejiofor revealed that while she had hoped to leave with at least one award, her husband had attempted to calm her nerves before the ceremony by reassuring her that she could walk away with both.

He turned out to be right.

The moment quickly became one of the evening’s most uplifting narratives, combining personal support, artistic excellence and career-defining recognition.

Reflecting on the emotional milestone, Ejiofor acknowledged the role her family played in her journey, particularly highlighting her mother’s involvement in helping her perfect her Igbo pronunciations for The Serpent’s Gift.

According to the actress, her mother worked closely with her on language delivery until she felt fully confident in the role, underscoring the depth of preparation behind the performance.

The revelation added another layer to her success story showing that beyond talent, cultural authenticity, family support and disciplined preparation were central to her award-winning portrayal.

Ejiofor’s historic sweep not only solidified her place as one of the night’s defining stars, but also reinforced the growing value audiences and critics place on nuanced performances rooted in language, identity and emotional precision.

“My Father’s Shadow” Dominates AMVCA With Major Wins And Global Prestige

My Father’s Shadow continued its remarkable streak of critical and international recognition at the AMVCA, emerging as one of the night’s biggest winners with victories for Best Movie, Best Director and Best Writing.

Directed by Akinola Davies Jr, the acclaimed production outperformed strong contenders including The Herd, The Serpent’s Gift and Gingerrr, cementing its status as one of the most celebrated African films of the year.

The film, which explores themes of paternal love, estrangement, memory and loss, has been widely praised for its emotional depth and artistic storytelling.

Its AMVCA success adds to an already historic journey.

In 2025, My Father’s Shadow made history as the first Nigerian film to become an official selection at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival an achievement that significantly elevated its global profile and marked a milestone for Nigerian cinema on the international stage.

The project later streamed in cinemas across Nigeria and the United Kingdom, extending its reach to wider audiences while reinforcing Nollywood’s growing global footprint.

Elsewhere, Uzor Arukwe secured Best Lead Actor for his performance in Colours of Fire, adding another career-defining moment to the evening’s list of standout achievements.

Veteran screen icons Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo were also honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards, recognising their enduring contributions to the growth, legacy and evolution of Nollywood.

The success of My Father’s Shadow combined with historic acting wins and industry honours underscored a broader reality about this year’s AMVCA: Nollywood is increasingly balancing commercial popularity with deeper artistic ambition and international credibility.

From Cannes recognition to AMVCA dominance, the film’s trajectory signals how Nigerian storytelling is continuing to expand beyond local acclaim into global cultural significance.

Kanayo O Kanayo described his outfit as “ripping in godfatherism, old money and tailored mafia”.

He was styled by Prinz Innovation to represent his on-screen persona of wealthy and stylish.

Nigerian actor Stan Nze, known for his interpretation of Igbo culture, was styled in a black apparel and carried his signature traditional engraved hand fan made with horse skin.

Reality TV star and actor Tobi Bakre brought Yoruba royalty to the carpet dressed in the traditional agbada designed by Deji and Kola with a custom made brass staff.

Reality TV star, OJ Posharella graces the red carpet with a giant bow sitting on her head as she stuns in her multi-layered colorful outfit she designed herself.

Digital creators also walked the red carpet twinkling and sparkling in cultures and sculpted dresses.

TNAM
Edited By Egwu Patience Nnennaya