Nollywood’s biggest night of the year delivered drama, history and a masterclass in storytelling as the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held at Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos on Saturday, with My Father’s Shadow dominating the ceremony to emerge as the night’s biggest winner.

Linda Ejiofor made history by clinching a remarkable double, winning both Best Lead Actress for her role in The Serpent’s Gift and Best Supporting Actress for her performance in The Herd, becoming one of only a handful of performers to achieve such a feat at the awards.

Uzor Arukwe matched the occasion with a commanding Best Lead Actor win for his role in Colours of Fire, directed by Niyi Akinmolayan, edging out a fiercely competitive field that included Wale Ojo, Femi Branch, Kanayo O. Kanayo, and Lateef Adedimeji. Bucci Franklin rounded off a strong night for the acting categories by claiming Best Supporting Actor for To Kill a Monkey.

The evening, however, belonged most emphatically to My Father’s Shadow, the deeply personal film by director Akinola Davies Jr. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s turbulent 1993 election crisis, the film swept five major categories including Best Movie, Best Director, Best Writing in a Movie for Wale Davies, Best Score/Music for Duval Timothy and CJ Mirra, and Best Sound/Sound Design for Pius Fatoke and CJ Mirra.

The project, which had already earned international recognition at the BAFTA Awards and the Gotham Independent Film Awards, cemented its place as one of the most significant works in African cinema in recent memory.

The ceremony was hosted by comedian Bovi Ugboma alongside South African actress Nomzamo Mbatha. Industry veterans Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received the Industry Merit Award, while Uche Montana was honoured with the Trailblazer Award. Lateef Adedimeji picked up Best Indigenous Movie (West Africa) for Lisabi: A Legend Is Born, dedicating the award to his wife, Mo Bimpe.

The digital content space was also recognised, with Emmanuel Kanaga and Sophia Chisom’s Leave To Live winning Best Digital Content Creator.

FULL LIST OF WINNERS
Best Movie — My Father’s Shadow
Best Director — Akinola Davies Jr. (My Father’s Shadow)
Best Lead Actor — Uzor Arukwe (Colours of Fire)
Best Lead Actress — Linda Ejiofor (The Serpent’s Gift)
Best Supporting Actor — Bucci Franklin (To Kill a Monkey)
Best Supporting Actress — Linda Ejiofor (The Herd)
Best Writing, Movie — Wale Davies (My Father’s Shadow)
Best Writing, TV Series — MTV Shuga Mashariki
Best Score/Music — Duval Timothy & CJ Mirra (My Father’s Shadow)
Best Sound/Sound Design — Pius Fatoke & CJ Mirra (My Father’s Shadow)
Best Cinematography — Kabelo Thathe (To Kill a Monkey)
Best Editing — Daniel Anyiam (To Kill a Monkey)
Best Art Direction — Ajamolaya Bunmi (Colours of Fire)
Best Costume Design — Valerie Okeke (Colours of Fire)
Best Makeup — Hakeem Onilogbo (Warlord)
Best Indigenous Movie, West Africa — Lisabi: A Legend Is Born (Lateef Adedimeji)
Best Short Film — Hussainin (Orire Nwani, Josh Olaoluwa)
Best Digital Content Creator — Leave To Live (Emmanuel Kanaga & Sophia Chisom)
Best Series, Scripted — Inimba
Best Series, Unscripted — Out N’ About (Harar)
Best Scripted M-Net Original — Low Priest (Femi D. Ogunsanwo)
Best Unscripted M-Net Original — Nigerian Idol Season 10
Best Indigenous M-Net Original — Inimba
Trailblazer Award — Uche Montana
Industry Merit Award — Sola Sobowale & Kanayo O. Kanayo