The African Magic Viewer’s Choice Awards (AMVCAs) are here again, and there’s much to expect from the biggest night in Nollywood. Aside from the glitz, glamour and celebration, one key reason we’ll be glued to our screens is to watch who wins which award.
While the potential winners are probably somewhere making the last fittings to their fits, here are our prophecies of actors, creators and movies that’ll win each major category — purely according to sentiments and a strange dream where an ant showed us the future.
Layi Wasabi — Best Digital Content Creator
Our dreams can be funny, but if the big suit we saw is anything to go by, Layi should win this award. He is nominated alongside Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay), Maryam Apaokagi-Greene (Taooma), Jemima Osunde and Elozonam. But barely three years in, Layi has set the bar high with out-of-the-box ideas. It is the law we’re talking about here.
“Jagun Jagun” — Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
We saw masquerades in this same dream, and it could only mean one thing. If not for the storyline, this epic movie must take home the prize for the fight scenes, tree names and cliffhanger. It was also the talk of the town for ages, and the ensemble casting couldn’t have been better imagined.
Timini Egbuson — Best Supporting Actor
He’s underrated for his role in “A Tribe Called Judah”, but he carried the plot, as he does with all his movies. It initially looked like he’d play bad boy throughout the movie, but after the robbery, he became the voice of reason. Without him, his family would’ve never escaped. A close contender would be Demola Adedoyin in “Breath of Life”, but the dream did not reveal him to us.
Joke Silva — Best Supporting Actress
We didn’t need the dream to show us that Aunty Joke deserves more, but for now, “best supporting actress” will do. Her character in “Over the Bridge” had our non-existent edges snatched. Her poise and grace mixed well with the ruthless personality she played. And whoever was in charge of her costume deserves a raise this instant.
Stan Nze — Best Lead Actor
Just because we think “Afamefuna” was better put together than “Jagun Jagun”, we can leave Adedimeji Lateef and side with Stan Nze for this award. He is very relatable as the Igbo man next door. The whole movie is nostalgic, real and embraces modern African culture.
Ireti Doyle — Best Lead Actress
It would be iconic to see Funke Akindele win this, but our dream was very specific about Ireti Doyle winning. Never could we have imagined her playing a toxic Catholic nun as she did in “The Original Madam Koi Koi”. She embodied it perfectly and truly took centre stage in the movie.
Ola Cardoso — Best Cinematography
Great as it was, not all of “Jagun Jagun’s” tricks were perfectly executed, “Ijogbon” could take several notes. While the other movies seemed brilliant, “Breath of Life” screamed excellence. So Cardoso deserves his flowers.
“A Tribe Called Judah” — Best Movie
We were leaning towards “Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti” in this category for the plot, nostalgia, casting and great storytelling. But after the dream, we have to admit that “A Tribe Called Judah” had perfectly crafted scenes and stunts. And if there’s one thing the film killed, it’s the suspense. Let’s not forget it did the biggest box office numbers in Nollywood in a long time. Props to Funke Akindele and Zikoko’s dream — which you can definitely trust.
“Wura” — Best Scripted Series
“Wura” seems to want to take over “Tinsel’s” mantle of running with no end in sight, but it is arguably the best pick for a late night show with the family.
“The Real Housewives of Lagos” (S2) – Best Unscripted Series
Best in real-life drama and chaos, RHOL had us hooked with the fashion and social media trends.
For a recap ahead of Sunday: AMVCA 2023: The Big Winners and the People Who Should’ve Won.
