Leading the charge are Insignia’s Grace Kahaki and Phillip Bresson, whose Showmax crime drama The Chocolate Empire received two nominations for Best Scripted Series and Best Indigenous M-Net Original. The duo also received a nomination in the Best Scripted Series category for their Netflix drama Kash Money, further cementing their reputation as standout storytellers across platforms.
Award-winning power couple Lizz Njagah and Alex Konstantaras have been nominated for their Showmax gender-flip dramedy Adam to Eve in the Best Scripted M-Net Original category. In the same category, MultiChoice Talent Factory alumnus Maurice Muendo is recognized for his directorial debut Bobo, which premiered at the 2025 Joburg Film Festival before streaming on Showmax.
Further strengthening Kenya’s presence, MTV Shuga Mashariki garnered three nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Julie Brenda Nyambura, as well as nods for Best Writing in a TV Series and Best Score.
Rounding out the Kenyan nominees are The People Shall for Best Documentary; Sayari and Inside Job in the Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) category; and Cards on the Table for Best Writing in a Movie.
With a total of 32 categories — including 18 jury-decided, 11 audience-voted, and 3 special recognition awards — the 12th AMVCA is set to be a highly competitive celebration of African storytelling. The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with public voting now officially open here.
See the full list of nominees below:
Best Digital Content Creator
- Dr Judgina – Situationally Transmitted Delusion – Elozonam Ogbolu and Genoveva Umeh
- The Marriage List - Destiny Ogie Osarewinda
- Leave To Live - Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom
- The Rate Race - Benedict Ehimare Oriaifo
- Luxury Koko - Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taaoma)
- August Meeting Election - Steve Chuks
- Did I Just Hear Muah - Akwaman
Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa)
- Bet I Love You - Joseph Duke and Keamogetse Modise
- Sebata - The Beast
- Ben Made It - Thabang Mathumetse and Thapelo Dikhutso
- Terra Of Queens And Kuma 2 - Neo Leonardo Mokoena
- Tlhaho Ya Mosadi - Naledi Galane, Promise Ramoroka, Ernest Ramoroka, Modipadi Mokgohioa
Best Indigenous Language (East Africa)
- Inside Job - Kamau Wandug’u, Joe Mahinda, and Barbara Njeri Maina
- Sayari - Omar Hamza and June Wairegi
- Addis Fikir - Leul Shoaferaw
- My Son - Isarito Mwakalindile
- Kimote - Hassan Mageye
Best Short Film
- Rise - Jessie J. Rowlands
- Fleas - Jordy Sank
- Telephone - Fimisinuola Adejonwo
- Hussainin - Orire Nwani and Josh Olaoluwa
- My Body, God’s Temple - Uzoamaka Power
Best Indigenous Language (West Africa)
- The Serpent’s Gift - Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
- Lisabi - A Legend Is Born - Lateef Adedimeji
- Labake Olododo - Alice Iyabo Ojo, Olukanmi Abayomi, Alaba Onaolapo, Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun
- Aljana - Grace Yachat Yakubu
- Olorisha - Abiola Adeshina
Best Indigenous Language (North Africa)
- The Omnipresent - Youssef Ben Khalifa
- The Delivery - Abdalla Ezyan
- The Hidden Voice - Houssem Eddine Abdelwahed
- This Is Portsaid - Abdalla Ezyan
- Artal Alhanin - Our Memories - Mohamed Awad and Mohamed Abdulraham Eldouma
Best Indigenous Language (Central Africa)
- Mabanda - Kang Quintus
- Safou - A Gift From Nature - Nyasha Makamba
- Golden Spoon - Egbe Francis Ettabrown
Best Scripted M-Net Original
- Adam To Eve - Lizz Njagah and Alexandros Konstantaras
- Mother of the Brides - Rogba Arimoro and Bio Arimoro
- The Yard - James Kalu Omokwe
- The Low Priest - Femi D. Ogunsanwo
- Bobo - Maurice Muendo
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
- Nigerian Idol (S10) - Suleiman Kassim and Anneke De Ridder
- Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa - Graeme Swanepoel and Jemma Ford
- Chapa Chapa My Love - Ercilla Justino, Jojo Almeida and Gabriela Ueno
- Out N About (Harar) - Bruk Yibrah
- Undugu - Hatibu Madudu
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
- Inimba - Siphosethu Tshapu , Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
- Kukoyi - David Akande
- Undugu - Hatibu Madudu
- Out N’About (Harar) - Bruk Yibrah
- Kampala Creme (S2) - Joel Ndugwa
- The Chocolate Empire - Grace Kahaki and Phillippe Bresson
- Mgbuka - Eze Izu
Best Supporting Actress
- The Herd - Linda Ejiofor
- Oversabi Aunty - Olamide Kidbaby
- Gingerrr - Bisola Aiyeola
- The Covenant Series - Sola Sobowale
- Aljana - Nadia Dutch
- The Herd - Amal Umar
- MTV Shuga Mashariki - Juliebrenda Nyambura
- Behind The Scene - Funke Ayotunde Akindele
- Best Lead Actor
- Oversabi Aunty - Mike Ezuruonye
- Lisabi A Legend Is Born - Lateef Adedimeji
- To Kill A Monkey - William Benson
- Grandpa Must Obey - Kanayo o. Kanayo
- Bet I Love You - Khumbuza Meyiwa
- Colours of Fire - Uzor Arukwe
- 3 Cold Dishes - Wale Ojo
- Red Circle - Femi Branch
Best Cinematography
- My Father’s Shadow - Jermaine Edwards
- To Kill A Monkey - Kabelo Thathe
- The Herd - Emmanuel Igbekele
- Finding Nina - Daanong Gyang
- The Serpent’s Gift - Emmanuel Igbekele
- Stitches - KC Obiajulu
- Ginger - Emmanuel Igbekele
Best Art Direction
- The Serpent’s Gift - Zainab Oladipupo
- The Herd - Omolade Abisola
- Colours of Fire - Ajamolaya Bunmi
- Aljana - Olatunji Afolayan and Gideon O Stephen
- Suky - Victor Akpan
- Inimba - Thabiso Senne
Best Documentary
- Beyond Olympic Glory - Shedrack Salami
- The Good x The Bad of Afrobeat - Louis Ejiofor
- The People Shall - Mark Maina and Nick Wambugu
- Not Addressing This Anymore - Huzzain Bello
- BOU - Mwaka Gerald Remmy
Best Score Music
- My Fathers Shadow - Duval Timothy, CJ Mirra
- 3 Cold Dishes - Nissi Ogulu
- Osamede - Chubb Okobah
- Gingerrr - Tolu Obanro
- The Party - Tolu Obanro
- MTV Shuga Mashariki - SoFresh
- To Kill A Monkey - Oscar Herman-Ackah
Best Writing TV Series
- The Wives – Donald Tombia, Timendu Aghahowa, Chiemeka Osuagwu
- MTV Shuga Mashariki - Annette Shadeya, Natasha Likimani, Mkamzee Mwatela, Arnold Mwanjila, Makgano Mamabolo
- Our Husband – Xavier Ighorodje
- Addis Fikir - Besufekade Mulu
- Baba Oh – Temilola Balogun
- The Party - Stephen Okonkwo
- Gizat - Yednekachew Ayne
Best Writing Movie
- The Herd - Lani Aisida
- My Father’s Shadow - Wale Davies
- Blackout - Ikenna Okpara
- Cards On The Table - Shirleen Wangari
- Gingerrr - Xavier Ighorodje
- Suky - Isaac Ayodeji
- 3 Cold Dishes - Tomi Adesina
- Best Costume Design
- The Serpent's Gift - Mary Chukuma
- The Real Housewives of Lagos S2 - Deola Art Alade, Darey Art Alade
- Colours of Fire - Valerie Okeke
- Something About The Briggs - Yolanda Okereke
- To Kill A Monkey – Ikechukwu Urum and John Joseph Angel
Best Sound Design
- My Father's Shadow - Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra
- Gingerrr – Tolu Obanro
- Ben Made It – Vaughan Phillips
- The Party – Tolu Obanro
- Sebata (The Beast) - Vaughan Phillips
- The Herd - Fisayo Adefolaju
Best Series (Scripted)
- To Kill A Monkey – Kemi Adetiba
- The Yard - James Kalu Omokwe
- The Chocolate Empire - Grace Kahaki and Phillipe Bresson
- Inimba - Siphosethu Tshapu, Thandi Ramathesele and Yolanda Ndhlovu
- Kash Money - Grace Khaki and Phillipe Benson
- Best Make-up
- Behind The Scenes - Mojisola Imam
- Lisabi: A Legend Is Born - Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
- Gingerrr – Dablaq Artistry
- Abanisete – Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
- Warlord - Hakeem Onilogbo (Hakeem Effect)
- Suky - Ruth Harcourt
- Labake Olododo - Adeola Thelma Bamgboye
Best Lead Actress
- The Serpent's Gift - Linda Ejiofor
- To Kill A Monkey – Bimbo Akintola
- The Lost Days - Ifeoma Fafunwa
- Something About The Briggs - Ariyike Owolagba
- Her Excellency – Sola Sobowale
- Behind The Scenes - Scarlet Gomez
- The Herd - Genoveva Umeh
- Mother Of The Brides – Gloria Anozie-Young
- Best Supporting Actor
- The Yard - Simileoluwa Hassan
- Gingerrr - Lateef Adedimeji
- Colours Of Fire – Gabriel Afolayan
- To Kill A Monkey – Bucci Franklin
- Agesinkole (King Of Thieves) 2 - Femi Adeboye
- Red Circle - Lateef Adedimeji
- Owanbe Thieves - Femi Branch
- Behind The Scenes - Uzor Arukwe
Best Director
- My Father's Shadow - Akinola Davies Jr
- Cordelia - Tunde Kelani
- Osamede - James Kalu Omokwe
- The Herd – Daniel Etim Effiong
- Ginger - Yemi Filmboy Morafa
- 3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
- Best Editing
- Cordelia - Kazeem Agboola
- My Father's Shadow - Omar Guzman Castro
- Landline - Nwanguma Peter Chidebere, and Dele Doherty
- 3 Cold Dishes – Asurf Amuwa Oluseyi
- Osamede - Winston Aig-Ohioma
- To Kill A Monkey – Daniel Anyiam
Best Movie
- Gingerrr - Ope Ajayi, Bisola Aiyeola, Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, Wumi Toriola, Bolaji Ogunmola, Onyeka Nnama
- The Herd - Daniel Etim Effiong, Efe Ejukoriem, Ulogo Chukwudi, Kene Okwuosa, Craig Shurn, And Ladun Awobokun
- My Father's Shadow - Funmbi Ogunbanwo And Rachel Dargavel
- 3 Cold Dishes - Martial Dansou, Surf Amuwa Oluseyo And Ly Oumar
- The Serpent's Gift - Winifred Mena-Ajakpovi
- Behind The Scenes – Funke Ayotunde Akindele And Wendy Uwadiae Imaseun
Best Series (Unscripted)
- The Real Housewives Of Lagos S3 - Deola Art Alade And Darey Art Alade
- Nigerian Idol S10 - Suleiman Kassim And Anneke De Ridder
- Ultimate Girls Trip: Africa - Graeme Swanepoel And Jemma Ford
- Offair With Gbemi And Toolz - Gbemi Olateru-Olagbegi And Toolz Oniru-Demuren
- Out N’ About (Harar) - Bruk Yibrah