Is This the Final AMVCA? Filmmaker Sparks Panic Over Future of Africa Magic Awards

(Nollywood actor, Mildred Okwo…Photo Credit: Punch newspaper)

Concerns regarding the future of the well-liked awards platform have been raised by filmmaker Mildred Okwo’s suggestion that the current Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards may be its last.

“I will be very surprised if this AMVCA is not the farewell edition,” Okwo wrote in a post on X on Monday.

Her remarks coincide with discussions about the awards’ commercial feasibility, especially in light of MultiChoice’s recent ownership changes and changing content strategy.

The filmmaker using the pseudonym @MealdredO contended in a different X post on Monday that the accolades might not be sufficient to support ongoing funding under new ownership.

“I don’t think the new owners will be interested in shows that don’t generate a significant return on investment within the first few years of purchasing the company. The production of such program is really expensive, she wrote.

The worries coincide with MultiChoice’s efforts to strengthen its streaming service, Showmax, and position it as a key force behind future expansion in the face of growing competition in the digital entertainment market.

According to PidomNigeria Online, the organizers of the 12th edition of the awards have stated that voting is now closed, and the winners will be revealed on May 9.

Africa Magic congratulated fans for taking part in the voting process in a statement released on Sunday.

“And that concludes it! The #AMVCA12 voting period has officially ended. The organizers said, “We appreciate your attendance, love, and unwavering support of your favorites.”

“Now we wait to see who takes home the wins on May 9th,” they continued.

The red carpet will open at 4:00 p.m. WAT, and the main awards program will begin at 7:00 p.m. Africa Magic channels will carry the event live. There are 32 categories in this year’s edition, including 18 jury-decided prizes, 11 audience-voted categories, and three special honors including the Trailblazer and Lifetime Achievement awards.

Femi Odugbemi will be replaced as Head Judge for the 2026 edition by seasoned actress Joke Silva.

In an attempt to increase the awards’ pan-African participation, organizers also included two new categories: Best Indigenous Language Film (North Africa) and Best Indigenous Language Film (Central Africa).

The French media behemoth Canal+ obtained regulatory authority to purchase the remaining shares in MultiChoice in July 2025, which sparked speculation over the AMVCA’s future.

Further concerns about the long-term viability of expensive television events like the AMVCA are raised by the deal, which is anticipated to change the company’s operations throughout the continent with a greater emphasis on digital expansion and streaming platforms.