The countdown has officially begun for the 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), Africa’s biggest celebration of film and television excellence. 

At a press conference held at the Africa Magic Studios in Lagos, key dates and exciting updates were unveiled, setting the stage for another spectacular showcase of African storytelling.

A new decade, a new chapter

After 10 years of recognising outstanding talent in African cinema, the AMVCAs are gearing up for a milestone year. 

The nominee announcement is scheduled to air across all Africa Magic channels on Sunday, March 23, 2025, at 7 PM WAT, with the grand awards night set for May 10, 2025, in Lagos.

Since its inception, the AMVCAs, in partnership with MultiChoice, have honoured 267 exceptional creatives across various categories, invested over ₦10 billion in award production, and contributed to the creation of more than 30,000 jobs within the entertainment industry. 

The impact has been undeniable; over 60% of industry professionals acknowledge the AMVCAs as a driving force behind the growth of African cinema, with 76% crediting it for bringing international recognition to African films.

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Bigger, better, and more inclusive

John Ugbe, CEO of West Africa, MultiChoice, emphasised the awards’ evolving role in spotlighting African storytelling on a global scale.

“For over a decade, the AMVCAs have been at the forefront of showcasing African talent. As we step into a new decade, MultiChoice remains dedicated to taking the awards to new heights, fostering global partnerships, and ensuring African cinema gets the recognition it deserves,” he said.

To make this year’s edition even more special, organisers have introduced several exciting updates:

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A New Category for Music & Sound in Film: Recognising the vital role of music and sound design in storytelling.

A Global Lens on African Talent: The AMVCAs will introduce international collaborations to bring Black and Diasporan talent into the fold.

Honouring Nollywood’s Pioneers: A new initiative will pay tribute to the early contributors who helped shape the industry.

An Enhanced Jury System: A refined approach to ensure a fair balance between expert critique and audience appreciation.

Dr. Busola Tejumola, Executive Head of Content and Channels, West Africa, MultiChoice, shared her excitement about the AMVCAs’ next phase.

“We’re stepping into a brand-new decade of the AMVCAs. Over the past 10 years, we have recognized, rewarded, and celebrated the very best in African film and television, and we’re just getting started. This isn’t just an awards show; it’s a movement that keeps pushing African storytelling to new heights,” she said.

Get ready to join the conversation

With these thrilling announcements, anticipation for the 11th AMVCAs is at an all-time high. As Africa’s biggest film and television stars prepare for the night of glitz and glamour, the AMVCAs promise not just to celebrate excellence, but to continue shaping the future of African entertainment.

Rybeena is one of the rising stars whose music is adding much-needed diversity to Nigerian street pop.

The singer first made waves from his hit record ‘Id.Me’ which earned him attention of fans and notable stars like Nigerian hip hop icon Olamide Baddo.

Since breaking into the mainstream, the singer has become one of the exciting Street hop stars whose music is documenting the realities of life in the inner cities.

Rybeena recently released a new project titled ‘Virtuoso’ which holds the viral songs ‘World Best’ and ‘Agba Singing’.

In a recent interview with Apple Music, the singer shares insights into the creative process and thoughts behind some of the songs on the project. He also revealed the meaning behind his stagename.

On the creative process behind the album, Rybeena revealed that he wanted to make an album with multiple sounds.

“I just wanted to make something that musically had everything, but [was] still totally original. I just want my fans to feel love, stay connected, stay true to yourself, stay yourself. Positive energy, always.”

On the track ‘1999,’ Rybeena calls it a Reggae fusion song that tells a personal story.

“This track has a reggae fusion feel to it, and the song is actually talking about me, how I [was] brought up, my background, and kind of all I came from. It’s about my true self, so the song actually means a lot to me—a lot!” 

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The singer’s stage name carries similarities with a popular Nigerian beverage. According to him, the inspiration came from a desire to be unique.

“I was recording my first-ever track, and the funniest thing is, the producer liked what he was drinking. I was thinking of a new name, because I was new to the music. I was just like, “What can I do?” Then I saw the Ribena! It’s unique, and I can attach it to many things.”

Rybeena is signed to Nigerian music label Dapper Music, which he described as a great union.

“It feels great to be among one of the best record labels in Africa. It’s been a great relationship between us, and everything is working—and it will only get better!”

In the interview, the singer describes his song ‘Id.Me’ as the most emotional he ever made as the recording process drove him to tears.

His latest album ‘Virtuoso’ is another landmark stride for the singer who will be aiming to further position himself as a defining voice in Nigerian street music.

A Lagos State High Court has ruled in favour of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union (IEDU) in its lawsuit against Amazon Web Services Nigeria and the producers of Gangs of Lagos, compelling them to issue a public apology for misrepresenting the revered Eyo Festival and the Isale-Eko community.

The case, filed under Suit No: LD/6903GCM/2023, was brought forward by members of the Isale-Eko community, who argued that the film; released on Amazon Prime Video depicted their cultural heritage in a distorted and offensive manner. 

The central issue revolved around the portrayal of the Eyo Masquerade, a symbol of tradition and peace, which the plaintiffs claimed was inaccurately linked to gang violence in the movie.

After months of legal proceedings, Justice Idowu Alakija approved the Terms of Settlement agreed upon by the involved parties. As part of the resolution, the producers of Gangs of Lagos  (Respondents 3-11) are mandated to publicly acknowledge their misrepresentation of the Eyo Festival and extend an official apology to the Isale-Eko people. 

READ ALSO: Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards Returns for 11th Edition: Here’s what to expect

Additionally, Amazon Web Services Nigeria Limited (Respondent 12), which facilitated the movie’s distribution, must also issue an apology on its official letterhead, recognising the concerns raised by the Isale-Eko Descendants Union.

Speaking on the court’s decision, the Chairman of the Isale-Eko Descendants Union, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Adeniji Kazeem, described the ruling as a significant victory in safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural identity. 

“This verdict sets a precedent for the protection of our indigenous traditions and ensures that filmmakers approach cultural representation with greater responsibility,” Kazeem stated.

He further called on both national and state film regulatory bodies to enforce stricter content guidelines, particularly for productions released on global streaming platforms. 

According to Kazeem, inaccurate portrayals of cultural symbols not only mislead audiences but also erode the integrity of Nigeria’s rich heritage.

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The controversy surrounding Gangs of Lagos sparked widespread debate upon its release, with many Nigerians divided on whether the film’s depiction was a case of creative license or cultural insensitivity. 

While some defended the movie as a work of fiction, others argued that Nollywood, as an influential storytelling industry, carries the responsibility of portraying real communities with accuracy and respect.

With the court’s ruling now in place, all eyes are on the filmmakers and Amazon Web Services to see how they will comply with the mandated apology and whether this will set a new standard for cultural representation in Nigerian cinema moving forward.