NIGERIA: Femi Adebayo’s Seven Doors Emerges Big Winner T 11th AMVCA

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), held on Saturday, witnessed a celebration of cinematic excellence across the African continent, with Seven Doors, a Nigerian epic drama series, standing out as one of the evening’s most awarded productions.

Directed by Femi Adebayo, Adebayo Tijani, and Tope Adebayo, Seven Doors clinched three major awards including Best Lead Actor (Femi Adebayo), Best Lead Actress (Chioma Chukwuka), and Best Score/Music (Tolu Obanro).

The drama, which follows the reign of King Adedunjoye, a reluctant monarch tormented by a generational curse, presents a compelling narrative of tradition, sacrifice, and destiny. To break the curse, the king must marry six additional wives, symbolically opening “seven doors”, despite his deep affection for his only wife, Amaka.

In her absence, Femi Adebayo received Chioma Chukwuka’s award, further highlighting the collaborative strength behind the production.

The ceremony also honoured industry veterans Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh with the Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades-long contributions to African film, while director Kayode Kasum received the Trailblazer Award for his outstanding innovation and impact within the industry.

Lateef Adedimeji’s Lisabi (The Uprising) also made a strong impression, earning multiple wins, including awards for Art Direction, Makeup, and Best Indigenous Language (West Africa), solidifying its place as another standout of the evening.

The AMVCA, organized annually by MultiChoice through Africa Magic, recognizes outstanding achievements in film and television across Africa.

Now, in its 11th year, the event continues to celebrate talent across various categories, including acting, directing, writing, technical production, and digital content creation.

The full list of winners at the 11th AMVCA include: Best Lead Actor – Femi Adebayo (Seven Doors), Best Lead Actress – Chioma Chukwuka (Seven Doors), Lifetime Achievement Awards – Sani Mu’azu, Nkem Owoh and Trailblazer Award – Kayode Kasum

Others are: Best Unscripted M-Net Original – Kassim Sulaiman & Anneke De Ridder (Nigerian Idol), Best Supporting Actor – Gabriel Afolayan (Inside Life), Best Supporting Actress – Mercy Aigbe (Farmer’s Bride), Best Score/Music – Tolu Obanro (Seven Doors), Best Scripted M-Net Original – Chinenye Nworah & Taiwo Adebayo (My Fairytale Wedding), Best Short Film – Jide Jblaze Oyegbile,

Best Indigenous M-Net Original – Zi M Uzo’, Best Digital Content Creator – Iyo Prosper Adokiye (We Listen, We Don’t Judge – Bible Edition) and

Best Documentary – Ifeoluwa Fatogun & Ebi Atawodi (Dundun).

Some of the award categories also include: Best Cinematography – Leo Purman (The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos), Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) – Adedimeji Lateef & Adebimpe Oyebade Adedimeji, Best Indigenous Language (East Africa) – Abel Mutua Musyoka,

Best Indigenous Language (Southern Africa) – Cosmas Ng’andwe,

Best Writing in a TV Series – Abel Mutua Musyoka,

Best Writing (Movie) – Blessing Uzzi (Freedom Way),

Best Editing – Tongai Furusa (Inkabi),

Best Sound Design – Michael Botha, Olaosebikan Okonrende & Dil Chike Ajufo (Suspicion),

Best Art Direction – Soliu Badu Noutical & Ayanmo Yakub (Lisabi: The Uprising), Best Makeup – Hakeem Onilogbo (Lisabi: The Uprising),

Best Costume Design – Adedamola Adeyemi (Christmas in Lagos) and Best Director – Awam Amkpa (The Man Died).

The list rounded up with: Best Movie – Blessing Uzzi (Freedom Way), Best Scripted Series – Clarence Peters’ Inside Life, Best Unscripted Series – Kefa Igilo & Jerryson Onasaa (Wa Milele?) And Best MultiChoice Talent Factory Film – Olamide Glover & Morenikeji Uka (Everything Light Touches)