The 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards dazzled the entertainment scene on Saturday night as stars from across Africa gathered in Lagos for the prestigious event. One of the evening’s biggest winners was Lisabi (The Uprising), a gripping indigenous film led by acclaimed Nigerian actor Lateef Adedimeji.
The film clinched the Best Indigenous Language (West Africa) award, beating strong contenders including Seven Doors, Kaka, and Anikulapo: The Rise of the Spectre.
Reacting to the win, Adedimeji said, “Lisabi is more than a film—it’s a voice for our heritage, our resilience, and our stories. I’m honoured that the audience and critics connected with it.”
In the Best Cinematography category, The Legend of The Vagabond (Queen of Lagos), directed by Leo Purman, emerged victorious. The visually striking film edged out competition from titles like Agemo, Inkabi, Soft Love, and Lisabi (The Uprising) itself.
The Best Documentary prize went to Mai DùnDún – Ifeoluwa, which stood out among entries like I Will Remember You, On Your Own, and Walvis Tale.
In the digital space, content creator Iyo Prosper Adokiye was named Best Digital Content Creator, while Brukaci claimed the Best Short Film award.
Reality television also had its moment with Nigerian Idol (Season 9), hosted by Kassim Suleiman, winning Best Unscripted M-Net Original.
For scripted programming, My Fairytale Wedding by Chinenye Nworah and Taiwo Adebayo took home the Best Scripted M-Net Original, while Seven Doors, composed by Tolu Obanro, won Best Music/Score.
The night also saw industry veteran Patience Ozokwor receive the Industry Merit Award, drawing heartfelt applause from colleagues and fans alike.
As the curtains closed on the 11th edition of the AMVCAs, it was clear that this year’s celebration not only honoured artistic excellence but also spotlighted emerging talents and diverse storytelling across Africa’s film and television landscape.
“This win is not mine alone,” Adedimeji added. “It belongs to everyone who believes in telling African stories, in our languages, with our voices.”