2023 AMVCA: Afolayan’s Anikulapo, Shaggi, Ademoye win big

It was all glitz and glamour as the ninth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) was held on Saturday to honour some of the finest in the African film industry. The event was held at the Eko Hotel Convention Hall, Victoria Island, Lagos, with media host presenter Ik Osakioduwa and South Africa’s Zozi Tunzi, Miss Universe 2019, serving as hosts. The first part of the main event had earlier kicked off in grand style with four red carpet hosts including Toke Makinwa,, Uti Nwachukwu, Sika Osei,  and VJ Adams. At exactly 7pm, the prestigious award began with a cultural presentation that thrilled the audience. John Ugbe, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Multichoice, reiterated the organization’s commitment to appreciating of artistes in the creative industry. “Rewarding the finest in the continent, inspiring filmmakers for bringing first-class entertainment into the homes of our viewers,” he said. The movie Anikulapo, by Kunle Afolayan, started the night on a winning note, swooping five awards at this year’s event, emerging as the biggest winner. Out of the 16 it was nominated for, Anikulapo won in the categories: Best Indigenous Language’ (Yoruba); Best Overall Movie; Best Sound Editor (movie/TV series); Best Writer (Movie/TV series); and Best Sound Track (movie/TV series). ‘Best Picture Editor’ went to the Crime and Justice television series, while ‘Best Art Director’ went to Wale Adeleke for the Yoruba epic movie ‘Ageshinkole’. Skit maker, Bukunmi Adeaga Ilori, known as Kiekie, and Elozonam Ogbolu’s “Back from the future” won the Best Online Content of the year. The duo jointly won the award in the category. Crime and Justice won the ‘Best Television Series’ , while Best Movie in West Africa went to Brotherhood, produced by Jadesola Osiberu. The announcement of Bimbo Ademoye’s first AMVCA win was welcomed with a loud cheer from the audience as she got the Best Actress in Comedy, while Samuel Perry, popularly known as Broda Shaggi, won the men’s category. Osas Ighodalo won the Best Actress for movie Man of God, Tobi Bakare won the Best Actor for the movie, Brotherhood. Leaked won Best Multichoice Talent Factory. Mpali won the Best MNET Telenovela while King Buga clinched the Best Mnet Unscripted Originals. Efe Irele won the Best Supporting Actress for 4-4-44 movie, while Abiseta Ahmed won the Best Supporting Actor. Nigerian influencer, Enioluwa Adeoluwa, and former BBNaija housemate, Beauty Tukura, won the coveted title of the Best Dressed male and female category. Patience Ozokwo won the 2023 Industry Merit Award, for her journey and dedication in the movie industry. The award was presented by Femi Odugbemi, the Head of Judges for the award. Ozokwo, applauded the organisers of AMVCA for the recognition and also thanked her fans for loving her. A moment was taken to honour the lives of creative minds who have departed—-Sola Onayiga, Ada Ameh, Sammie Okposo, Leonard Chimezie, Osmond Gbadebo, Gbenga Richards, Johnson Davidson and Murphy Afolabi. Iyanya and Tiwa Savage thrilled the audience with some of their hit songs. Full List of Winners: BEST ACTRESS IN A DRAMA -(MOVIE/TV SERIES)- Osas Ighodaro – Man of God Best Actor in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) Stan Nze – Rattlesnake Best Actress in a Drama (Movie/TV Series) Osas Ighodaro – Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Africa Magic Original Drama Series Rishantes – Dimbo Atiya Best Actress in a comedy Funke Akindele – Omo Ghetto (The Saga) Best Actor in a comedy Broda Shaggi/Samuel Perry – Dwindle Best Director (Movie) – Ramsey Nouah for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Overall Movie – Amina by Izu Ojukwu & Okey Ogunjiofor Best Africa Magic Original Comedy Series The Johnsons – Rogers Ofime Best Supporting Actor (Movie/TV Series) Odunlade Adekola – Jankariwo Best Supporting Actress (Movie/TV Series) Omowunmi Dada – Country Hard Best Soundtrack (Movie/TV Series) Gold Coast Lounge – Pascal Aka & Raquel (From Ghana) Best Movie – West Africa Collision Course – Bolanle Austen-Peters, Joseph Umoibom & James Amuta Best Movie – East Africa The Girl In The Yellow Jumper – Morocco Omari Best Movie – Southern Africa Hairareb – Dantagos Jimmy-Melani Best Short Film or Online Video I Am The Prostitute Mama Described – Taiwo Ogunnimo Best Documentary – If Objects Could Speak – Saitabao Kaiyare, Mumo Liku, Elena Schilling, Daniella Fritz, Ann Katrina Boberg Best TV series – Drama or Comedy The Mystic River – Rogers Ofime Best Online Social Content Creator – Oga Sabinus Best Cinematographer – Muhammad Attah Best Picture Editor – Tunde Aplowo for ‘Maria Ebun Pataki’ Best Art Director (Movie/TV Series) – Tunji Afolayan Best Lightning Designer (Movie/TV Series) – Matthew Yusuf for Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Makeup – Balogun Abiodun for her work on Rattlesnake: The Ahanna Story Best Writer (Movie/TV Series) – Manie Oisomaye, Donald Tombia and Biodun Stephen for Introducing The Kujus Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Igbo) – Uche Nnanna Maduka Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Yoruba) – David Akande, Demola Yusuf, Edgard Leroy (Alaise) Best Indigenous Language Movie or Series (Hausa) – Rogers Ofime (Voiceless) Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series (Swahili) – Freddy Feruzi Best Dressed Male – Denola Grey Best Dressed Female – Osas Ighodaro Industry Merit Award – Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett Best Multichoice Talent Factory – Daisy Masembe for ‘Engaito’ Trailblazer Award – Teniola Aladese