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Joke Silva Heads Jury as AMVCAs Return for 12th Edition with New Categories

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 27th, 2026.

The organisers of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) have officially launched the 12th edition of the prestigious ceremony, setting the stage for another celebration of excellence in African film and television.

The unveiling, which took place on Thursday at the MultiChoice Studios in Ilupeju, Lagos, signals the beginning of activities leading up to the main awards night scheduled for May 9. Widely regarded as one of the continent’s biggest entertainment events, the AMVCAs continue to spotlight Africa’s growing influence in global storytelling.

At the centre of this year’s edition is the appointment of veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva as Head Judge. As reported by The Nation, Silva’s selection is seen as a significant boost to the credibility of the awards, given her decades-long contribution to the industry and reputation for professionalism.

Speaking at the launch, Atinuke Babatunde, Executive Head of Content and Channels at MultiChoice West Africa, highlighted that the focus of this year’s awards goes beyond the glamour often associated with the event. According to coverage by The Guardian Nigeria, she stressed the importance of recognising the creative ecosystem behind the scenes, including writers, directors, and production teams who bring African stories to life.

In a notable expansion, the 12th edition will introduce new award categories aimed at strengthening inclusivity across the continent. For the first time, entries from North and Central Africa will compete in dedicated Indigenous Language categories, a move industry observers say reflects the AMVCA’s evolving pan-African identity.

The awards now feature a total of 32 categories, spanning jury-decided prizes, audience-voted awards, and special recognitions such as the Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement honours. As noted by Pulse Nigeria, this structure is designed to balance professional evaluation with audience engagement.

Organisers also подчеркнули the broader economic impact of the initiative, pointing out that since its inception in 2013, the AMVCAs have contributed significantly to job creation across the entertainment value chain, from production crews to technical specialists.

Corporate backing remains a key pillar of the event, with Don Julio returning as the lead sponsor. Speaking on the partnership, Segun Ogunleye of Diageo noted , according to BusinessDay that supporting the AMVCAs aligns with efforts to promote African creativity on a global scale.

Attention now turns to the next major milestone, as fans and stakeholders await the announcement of nominees on March 29. The reveal, to be hosted by actor and past AMVCA winner Chiemezie Imo, will be broadcast live across Africa Magic channels, setting the tone for what promises to be another landmark edition of the awards.