The 10th edition nominees for the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Award (2024 AMVCA) have been unveiled by Multichoice Nigeria and Africa Magic, accompanied by significant alterations to the award show’s format. These changes are aimed at elevating the standards of the African movie industry and have garnered a new-found excitement and still, some speculations.

However, amidst this anticipation, here are noteworthy discussions surrounding surprising nominations, snubs, and unexpected omissions in this year’s edition.

Modification in Evaluation Processes

One notable change in the 2024 AMVCA is the cessation of public voting for the Best Actor or Best Actress in Leading or Supporting Role categories. Instead, winners in these categories will be determined by a select jury, chaired by veteran filmmaker and media scholar Femi Odugbemi, who is also a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards (The Oscars).

In the words of Busola Tejumola, Head of Content and Channels in West Africa for MultiChoice, “The AMVCAs are embarking on a bold journey to reevaluate our award categories and further align with global trends and benchmarks. This involves retiring certain categories, streamlining others, and revisiting both voting and non-voting classifications.”

These modifications come in response to consistent criticism from fans of the awards, highlighting the previous format’s tendency to favor star actors with significant social media followings over performers with outstanding acting skills. Additionally, the award show now features 27 categories, down from the previous 33, with certain categories like Best Original Comedy Series being retired.

The Wins and Snubs

Tolu Ajayi’s debut feature film “Over the Bridge” leads the nominations with 12 nods, despite not yet being released in Nigerian cinemas. Other notable contenders include “Breath of Life” and “Mami Wata,” each receiving 11 nominations, signaling a shift towards critically acclaimed dramas over mainstream box office hits. Given the updated format, it also implies that films such as “Mami Wata” and “Over the Bridge” stand a significant chance in the Best Movie category.

While the nominations bring excitement, there are also disappointments, with notable films like “Áfàméfùnà:An Nwa Boi Story” missing out on key categories despite their commercial success and critical acclaim. Similarly, some outstanding performances, such as those by Chimezie Imo and Ozzy Agu, were overlooked in the Best Actor category.

Chimezie Imo’s exclusion from the Best Actor category for “Breath of Life” was a notable snub. While other main cast members such as Genoveva Umeh, Wale Ojo, and Demola Adedoyin received nominations, Imo was left out. Despite Ojo securing a nomination for Best Lead Actor, Imo, who also portrayed a prominent role in the Prime Video original movie, did not cut. Adedoyin earned a nomination for Best Supporting Actor, further emphasizing Imo’s absence.

It’s baffling to see “Over the Bridge” snagging a solid 12 nominations in diverse categories, but what’s truly perplexing is the glaring absence of Ozzy Agu, a pivotal force in the film, from the Best Lead Actor category. Despite earning nods in nearly every other acting segment, Agu’s outstanding performance somehow missed the mark for this recognition.

As the 2024 AMVCA event approaches, we eagerly await the unfolding of new surprises. We only hope that the most deserving contenders emerge victorious in each category!

Critic Predictions vs Audience Predictions

Here are the 2024 AMVCA picks for some major categories by our critics and our audience (based on social media polls).

Best Movie

1. A Tribe Called Judah

2. Mami Wata – Critics Pick

3. Jagun Jagun 

4. Breath of Life – Audience Pick

5. Over The Bridge

6. Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti

7. The Black Book

Best Indigenous Language (West Africa):

1. Mami Wata – Critics Pick

2. Jagun Jagun – Audience Pick

3. Ijogbon

4. Orisa

5. Nana Akoto 

Best Lead Actor:

1. Richard Mofe-Damijo (The Black Book)

2. Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) – Critics Pick

3. Stan Nze (Afamefuna)

4. Marc Zinga (Omen)

5. Lateef Adedimeji (Jagun Jagun) – Audience Pick

6. Gabriel Afolayan (This is Life)

7. David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)

8. Gideon Okeke (Egun)

Best Lead Actress:

1. Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah) – Audience Pick

2. Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel)

3. Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)

4. Kehinde Bankole (Adire)

5. Evelyne IIy (Mami Wata) – Critics Pick

6. Omowumi Dada (Asiri Ade)

7. Segilola Ogidan (Over The Bridge)

8. Lucie Debay (Omen)

Best Supporting Actor:

1. Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)

2. Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)

3. Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life)

4. Itele D Icon (Jagun Jagun) – Audience Pick/Critics Pick

5. Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)

6. Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)

7. Ropo Ewenla (Over The Bridge)

Best Supporting Actress:

1. Joke Silva (Over The Bridge)

2. Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)

3. Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun) – Audience Pick

4. Genovevah Umeh (Breath of Life) – Critics Pick

5. Tana Egbo-Adelana (Ijogbon)

6. Ejiro Onajaife (Madam Koikoi)

7. Eliane Umuhire (Omen)

Best Director 

1. Adebayo Tijani & Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun)

2. BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Audience Pick

3. Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)

4. C. J. Fiery Obasi (Mami Wata) – Critics Pick

5. Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)

6. Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)

7. Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)

Voting officially closed on April 28, 2024, at 10:00 pm WAT. The 2024 AMVCA will be held from May 10 – 11th in Lagos.