The 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) nominations have ignited debates across Nollywood and beyond, as several critically acclaimed films, standout performances, and influential creators were unexpectedly left off the list.
The AMVCA, a cornerstone of African cinema that celebrates excellence in film and digital content, has long been a benchmark for industry recognition. However, this year’s omissions have left fans, critics, and insiders reeling in disbelief.
Major Films Overlooked
One of the most shocking snubs is ‘The Weekend,’ widely anticipated to vie for Best Movie. After sweeping Best Film and Best Nigerian Film at the African Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) in November 2024, its exclusion from the AMVCA Best Movie category stunned film enthusiasts. The film’s absence has become a focal point of the controversy, with many questioning how an award-winning production could be overlooked.
Equally surprising is ‘With Difficulty Comes Ease’, directed by Korede Azeez. Released in 2024, the film earned widespread praise for its moving depiction of a multicultural widow’s struggles. Industry insiders and Nollywood fans had pegged it as a top contender for Best Movie and other categories, making its complete lack of nominations a baffling oversight.
Another notable omission, according to critics, is ‘Mai Martaba,’ a Nigerian Oscar contender. Despite its international pedigree, the film was relegated to a single nomination in the Best Indigenous category, leaving observers puzzled about the broader selection process.
Critics also pointed out that ‘Something about the Briggs’ should have gotten nods, especially for Best Costume design, but were unsure if it was not submitted as it was released in February this year.
Acting and Creative Talent Snubbed
The acting categories also saw significant exclusions. Onyinye Odokoro delivered a captivating performance as Zara in the Showmax original series ‘Princess on a Hill,’ earning rave reviews and expectations of a Leading Actress nomination. Yet, her name was absent from the list, prompting online concern on X about the oversight.
Wale Ojo, who portrayed Wole Soyinka in ‘The Man Died: Prison Notes of Wole Soyinka,’ was another glaring omission. Fresh off a Best Lead Actor win at the 2024 AMVCA for ‘Breath of Life,’ Ojo’s performance was expected to secure him another nod. While the film earned a Best Director nomination, his acting contribution went unrecognised.
According to Eniola Tito, a popular Nollywood movie critic, Ibrahim Yekini, who starred in the lead role of the Movie ‘Ajosepo’ would have been a good choice for best supporting actor. He also said Uzoamaka Aniunoh should have also been nominated for best actress for her performance in ‘With Difficulty Comes Easy’, despite getting nominations in the same category for her role in ‘Phoenix Fury.’
The cast of ‘Kill Boro,’ Philip Asaya, Ini-Dinma Okojie, Blessing Uzero, and Kosisochukwu Ogboruche also received no nominations. The feature, helmed by a first-time director, had garnered attention for its fresh talent, making their exclusion a notable disappointment.
In the digital space, content creator Folagade Banks, known as Madam Deola, was surprisingly left out of the Best Digital Creator category. Her content went mainstream in 2024, positioning her as a strong contender. Critics online have called her snub a missed opportunity to honour innovative talent.
Funke Akindele’s Absence Raises Eyebrows
For five consecutive years, Funke Akindele has been a dominant force at the AMVCA, racking up nominations as one of Nollywood’s most celebrated producers. In 2025, however, she received no nods—no Best Actress, Best Movie, or Best Director. Speculation suggests she may not have submitted entries, but her absence, particularly with the potential of ‘Everybody Loves Jenifa’ as a contender, has left a void in the lineup.
Box Office Hits Largely Ignored
A striking trend in this year’s nominations is the near-total absence of top-grossing Nollywood films. Of the top 10 highest-grossing movies, only ‘Farmer’s Bride’ secured a nomination. ‘Queen Lateefah,’ ‘Ajosepo,’ ‘Beast of Two Worlds,’ ‘Alakada; Bad and Boujee,’ ‘Lakatabu,’ and ‘The Waiter’ had no nominations.
This disparity has sparked heated debate about the AMVCA’s judging criteria, with many questioning whether commercial success is undervalued in favour of artistic merit. Critics argue that last year’s box office heavyweights may have lacked creative depth, which brings the disconnect between financial performance at the box office and recognition at awards.
