The African Magic Viewers Choice Awards captivated audiences once again on Saturday, May 11, 2024, as cinema’s finest converged at the illustrious Eko Hotel in Lagos. Amidst fierce competition, “Breath of Life,” a Prime Video original, emerged as the night’s undeniable victor, clinching five wins across major categories including Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Lead Actor, Best Director, and the coveted Best Movie award. Despite formidable contenders like “Over the Bridge” and “Mami Wata,” “Breath of Life” stood out for its cinematic brilliance and profound impact, reaffirming the ingenuity and storytelling prowess prevalent in Africa’s vibrant film industry.
In the realm of visual aesthetics, Campbell Precious’s transformative makeup in “Mami Wata” stood out, earning her the Best Makeup award, while Abisola Omolade’s meticulous art direction in “Over The Bridge” captivated audiences and secured the film’s victory in the Best Art Direction category. Lola Awe’s intricate costume design in “Jagun Jagun: The Warrior” earned her well-deserved recognition, highlighting the fusion of tradition and innovation in African storytelling
Wale Ojo’s captivating portrayal in “Breath of Life” garnered him the prestigious Best Lead Actor award, showcasing his remarkable talent and versatility on screen. Similarly, Genoveva Umeh’s powerful performance in the same film earned her the Best Supporting Actress award.
Additionally, Chimezie Imo’s recognition with the Trailblazer Award is a testament to his innovative contributions to the film industry, signaling a promising future filled with groundbreaking work.
“Over the Bridge” and “Jagun Jagun” celebrated their successes with two awards each, showcasing their prowess in different aspects of filmmaking. Meanwhile, CJ Obasi’s critically-acclaimed black-and-white fantasy thriller, “Mami Wata”, garnered a single win for Best Makeup, further solidifying its unique aesthetic and impact within the industry. However, despite their nominations, Funke Akindele’s groundbreaking sensation, “A Tribe Called Judah”, and Kayode Kasum’s captivating drama, “Afamefuna”, unfortunately missed out on securing wins in their respective categories, marking a surprising turn in the night’s outcomes.
Below are the list of Winners
Best Makeup
Francesca Otaigbe (Over the Bridge)
Campbell Precious (Mami Wata) – Winner
Hadizat Gambo (Mojisola)
Hakeem Onilogbo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Feyisayo Oyebisi (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Art Direction
Blood Vessel (Victor Akpan)
Over The Bridge (Abisola Omolade) – Winner
Breath of Life (Okechukwu Frost Nwankwo, Kelechi Odu)
The Black Book (Pat Nebo and Chima Temple)
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Tunji Afolayan)
Mami Wata (C.J Fiery Obasi)
Omen (Eve Martin)
Best Costume Design
Demola Adeyemi (Over The Bridge)
Bolanle Austin Peters, Ituen Basi, Folake Coker and Clement Effanga (Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti)
Lola Awe (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior) – Winner
Bunmi Demilola Fashina (Mami Wata)
Daniel Obasi (Breath of Life)
Best Writing TV Series
Skinny Girl in Transit (Season 7)
Wura (Season 2)
Visa on Arrival
MTV Shuga Naija
Volume – Winner
Masquerades of Aniedo
Slum King
Best Writing in a Movie
Breath of Life (BB Sasore)
Over The Bridge (Tosin Otudeko)
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti (Tunde Babalola) – Winner
Jagun Jagun: The Warrior (Adebayo Tijani)
Afamefuna (Anyanwu Sandra Adaora)
A Tribe Called Judah (Olufunke Ayotunde Akindele, Collins Okoh and Akinlabi Ishola)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Best Sound Design
Ava Momoh (Over the Bridge)
Daniel Pellerin and Amin Bhatia (Kipkemboi)
Grey Jones Ossai (Blood Vessel) – Winner
Grey Jones Ossai (Breath of Life)
Samy Bardet (Mami Wata)
Best Editing
Chuka Ejorh And Onyekachi Banjo (Over The Bridge)
Holmes Awa (Breath of Life)
Alex Kamau And Victor Obok (Volume)
Dayo Nathaniel (Ogeere – Earth)
Antonio Ribeiro (The Black Book) – Winner
Nathan Delannoy (Mami Wata)
Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa)
Mami Wata (CJ Fiery Obasi)
Jagun Jagun (Femi Adebayo) – Winner
Ijogbon (Kunle Afolayan)
Orisa (Odunlade Adekola)
Nana Akoto (Kwabena Gyansah)
Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa)
Where The River Divides
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One) – Winner
Wandongwa
Nakupenda
Itifaki
Best Indigenous Language Film (South Africa)
Service To Heart
Uncle Limbani
Motshameko O Kotsi – Winner
Best Documentary
Ormoilaa Ogol (The Strong One)
Lobola, A Bride’s True Price? – Winner
Empalikino (Forgiveness)
The Water Manifesto: Osun (Water for Gold)
Sowing Hope
Best Cinematography
Mami Wata (Lílis Soares)
Blood Vessel (Gideon Chukwu)
Over The Bridge (KC Obiajulu) – Winner
Breath of Life (Ola Cardoso)
Jagun Jagun – The Warrior (Adeoluwa Owu)
Ijogbon – Chaos (Adekunle Nodash Adejuyigbe)
Omen (Joachim Philippe)
Best Indigenous M-Net Original
The Passenger
Nana Akoto
Apo
Irora Iya – Winner
Love Transfusion (Kiapo Cha Damu)
Best Digital Content
National Treasure – Adebola Adeyela (Lizzy Jay)
Medical Negligence and Copyright Infringement – Isaac Ayomide Olayiwola (Layi Wasabi) – Winner
Hello Neighbour – Elozonam Ogbolu, Lina idoko and Jemima Osunde
The Boyfriend – Maryam Apaokagi-Greene
Best Short Film
T’egbon T’aburo
Broken Mask – Winner
Eighteenth Year
Man and Masquerades
A Place Called Forward
Best Unscripted M-Net Original
What Will People Say
The Irabors’ Forever After
Nwuyee Bekee (Foreign Wives) – Winner
Date My Family Zambia
Royal Qlique (Season 2)
Best Scripted M-Net Original
Slum King – Winner
Half Open Window
Itura
The Passenger
Magic Room
Best Supporting Actress
Joke Silva (Over the Bridge)
Fathia Williams (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Bimbo Akintola (The Black Book)
Genoveva Umeh (Breath of Life) – Winner
Eliane Umuhire (Omen)
Tana Adelana (Ijogbon – Chaos)
Ejiro Onojaife (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Best Supporting Actor
Alexx Ekubo (Afamefuna)
Demola Adedoyin (Breath of Life) – Winner
Itele d Icon (Jagun Jagun: The Warrior)
Gregory Ojefua (This is Life)
Timini Egbuson (A Tribe Called Judah)
Levi Chikere (Blood Vessel)
Ropo Ewenla (Over the Bridge)
Trailblazer Award
Chimezie Imo – Winner
Industry Merit Award
Idowu Philips (Iya Rainbow) – Winner
Richard Mofe-Damijo – Winner
Best Lead Actress
Segilola Ogidan (Over the Bridge)
Lucie Debay (Omen)
Omowunmi Dada (Asiri Ade)
Ireti Doyle (The Origin: Madam Koi Koi)
Adaobi Dibor (Blood Vessel)
Evelyne Ily (Mami Wata)
Kehinde Bankole (Adire) – Winner
Funke Akindele (A Tribe Called Judah)
Best Lead Actor
Wale Ojo (Breath of Life) – Winner
Stan Nze (Afamefuna)
Marc Zinga (Omen)
Gideon Okeke (Egun)
David Ezekiel (Blood Vessel)
Richard Mofe Damijo (The Black Book)
Adedimeji Lateef (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
Gabriel Afolayan (This is Lagos)
Best Multichoice Talent Factory Movie
Grown
Her Dark Past – Winner
Somewhere in Kole
Full Time Husband
The 11th Commandment
Mfumukazi
Best Scripted Series
Volume
Wura (Season 2)
Slum King
Itura – Winner
Chronicles
Best Unscripted Series
Lol Naija (Season 1)
Nightlife In Lasgidi
The Real Housewives Of Lagos (Season 2)
Gh Queens (Season 2) – Winner
Mutale Mwanza Unscripted (Season 1)
Best Director
Moses Inwang (Blood Vessel)
Adebayo Tijani And Tope Adebayo (Jagun Jagun – The Warrior)
BB Sasore (Breath of Life) – Winner
Johnscott Enah (Half Heaven)
C.J. Fi
ery Obasi (Mami Wata)
Kayode Kasum (Afamefuna)
Tolu Ajayi (Over The Bridge)
Best Movie
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Breath of Life – Winner
Over The Bridge
Blood Vessel
A Tribe Called Judah
The Black Book
Mami Wata