My Father's Shadow Tops 12th AMVCA Awards

The 12th Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards concluded Saturday night at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria, honoring excellence in African film, television and digital storytelling across 45 categories. My Father's Shadow emerged as the top winner, claiming Best Movie along with awards for Best Director, Best Writing in a Movie, Best Sound Design and Best Cinematography.

The ceremony marked a historic double win for actress Linda Ejiofor, who received Best Lead Actress for The Serpents Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd. Uzor Arukwe took Best Lead Actor for Colours of Fire, while Bucci Franklin earned Best Supporting Actor for To Kill a Monkey. In an emotional acceptance speech, Franklin dedicated the award to his late mother, stating, "Seven days before To Kill a Monkey came out, I lost the most important person in my life. I lost my mom, my guardian angel, my prayer warrior, my best friend."

Indigenous language films were celebrated regionally, with Lisabi: A Legend Is Born winning Best Indigenous Language Film West Africa, produced by Lateef Adedimeji, who dedicated it to his wife. Addis Fikir claimed East Africa, Tlhaho Ya Mosadi South Africa, Artal...