The 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards – AMVCA once again transformed Lagos into the centre of African film, fashion, and pop culture, as celebrities, filmmakers, and digital creators delivered some of the continent’s most extravagant red-carpet moments.
Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites, the annual awards ceremony celebrated excellence in African film, television, and digital storytelling, while reinforcing its reputation as one of Africa’s biggest fashion showcases.
This year’s edition leaned heavily into theatrical fashion, with oversized silhouettes, sculptural gowns, shimmering fabrics, and dramatic couture dominating the red carpet.
Fashion Takes Centre Stage
One of the evening’s standout appearances came from actor and event host Simi Drey, who wore a striking glass-inspired dress designed by Ovems.
Reality television personality Queen Mercy Atang generated significant attention with a highly unconventional outfit reportedly made from more than 500 loaves of bread.
The design, created by fashion designer Toyin Lawani of Tiannah’s Empire, was intended to promote Atang’s bread-baking business and quickly became one of the most discussed moments on social media.
While some online users praised the creativity and marketing concept behind the outfit, others criticised it as excessive and wasteful. However, the reality star defended the look, insisting it was a deliberate branding strategy rather than an act of extravagance.
Nana Akua Addo’s Cathedral-Inspired Look
Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo maintained her reputation for dramatic AMVCA appearances with an architectural silver gown inspired by the famous Cologne Cathedral in Germany.
Designed by Abasswoman, the heavily structured outfit featured cathedral-style extensions and hand-painted details resembling stained-glass windows.
According to her design team, work on the outfit began in November 2025 and was completed just days before the ceremony.
Uche Montana’s Fiery Statement
Nigerian actress Uche Montana arrived in a dramatic red-and-gold feathered ensemble inspired by themes of fire and rebirth.
The actress explained that the look symbolised the rise of a phoenix and revealed that months of preparation and significant financial investment went into bringing the design to life.
Her appearance coincided with a major career milestone after she received the AMVCA Trailblazer Award, which honours emerging talents making a significant impact in the entertainment industry.
Emotional Wins and Historic Achievements
Away from the fashion spectacle, several emotional and historic moments defined the awards ceremony.
Actor Bucci Franklin won Best Supporting Actor for his role in To Kill a Monkey, where he portrayed a fiercely loyal cybercrime boss rooted in Benin street culture.
Speaking after his win, Franklin dedicated the award to his late mother, who passed away shortly before the film’s release.
The film also secured the award for Best Cinematography.
Meanwhile, actress Linda Ejiofor made AMVCA history by becoming the first performer to win both Best Lead Actress and Best Supporting Actress in the same edition of the awards.
She received Best Lead Actress for The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd.
Ejiofor described the double victory as deeply emotional and acknowledged her family’s support, particularly in helping her perfect language and dialect delivery for her roles.
‘My Father’s Shadow’ Dominates Major Categories
One of the night’s biggest winners was My Father’s Shadow, directed by Akinola Davies Jr.
The film won Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Writing, continuing its international recognition following its historic selection at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025 as the first Nigerian film to achieve that milestone.
The film explores themes of memory, paternal relationships, estrangement, and loss.
Elsewhere, Uzor Arukwe won Best Lead Actor for Colours of Fire, while veteran actors Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O Kanayo received Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Several celebrities embraced cultural identity through fashion on the red carpet.
Actor Stan Nze incorporated traditional Igbo elements into his appearance, carrying a customised engraved horse-skin fan, while actor and reality TV personality Tobi Bakre showcased Yoruba royalty-inspired fashion in a traditional agbada paired with a ceremonial brass staff.
Actress and producer Monica Friday wore a gown embroidered with the flags of multiple countries as a symbolic appeal for global peace.
Meanwhile, actress Osas Ighodaro delivered another highly anticipated red-carpet appearance in a crystal-embellished silver corset gown designed by Veekee James.
The event also featured digital creators and influencers whose elaborate fashion statements further highlighted the growing intersection between entertainment, fashion, and online culture across Africa.
Beyond the awards themselves, the AMVCA once again demonstrated its growing influence as a major cultural platform shaping African entertainment, fashion, and creative expression on the global stage.
