'Over the Bridge’ and ‘Mami Wata’ Lead Nominees for 2024 AMVCAs

Multichoice Nigeria and Africa Magic have announced the nominees for the 10th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. This year’s nods come amidst several changes to the format of the award shows, including a trimming of the categories from over 30 to just 27 categories. Also, the number of voting categories has been shrunk to just 9, while the winners of the remaining 16 will be voted for by a jury headed by veteran filmmaker Femi Odugbemi.

Tolu Ajayi’s full-length debut Over the Bridge leads the pack of nominated films with 12 nominations, with nods in Best Movie, Best Writing (Movie), and Ajayi is up for Best Director. Following closely is CJ “Fiery” Obasi’s critically acclaimed, black-and-white film, Mami Wata, which is up for Best Art Direction, Best Indigenous Language (West Africa), as well as Obasi’s nod for Best Director.

Interestingly, both leading nominated films aren’t exactly local blockbuster films. Over the Bridge saw limited theatrical release in the UK and is yet to make its way to Nigerian cinemas or any streaming platforms for many Nigerian cinephiles to watch. Although it was Nigeria’s official submission for the Best International Film category at the Oscars, Mami Wata dealt with some irregularities during its local cinematic release.

Following closely in the nominations count are two popular films commissioned by streaming platforms, Netflix’s Yoruba epic Jagun Jagun and Prime Video’s faith-based Breath of Life. Both films snagged ten nominations, with both nominated for Best Cinematography and Best Art Direction. Lead actors Femi Adebayo (Jagun Jagun) and Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) are up for the gilded Best Lead Actor award, while Fathia Balogun (Jagun Jagun) and Genevova Umeh (Breath of Life) are nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Funke Akindele’s record-setting, billion naira film, A Tribe Called Judah, picked up five nominations. Akindele herself is nominated for Best Lead Actress, while the film is also nominated for Best Movie. Afamefuna, a well-received film about the Igbo mentorship system of raising new business owners, also picked up several nominations, including Best Writing (Movie), while Stan Nze and Alexx Ekubo are up for Best Lead Actor and Best Supporting Actor for their roles in the film.

This year’s AMVCA festivities are slated for May 10 and 11. With the increase in jury-awarded categories, many hope that this year’s awards will prioritize celebrating excellence in film over the seeming emphasis on glitz and glamor in recent years.

You can find the full list of nominees here.