Widely hailed as Africa’s most prestigious red-carpet gathering for film and fashion, the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) touched down in Lagos, Nigeria, last weekend, turning a traditional awards ceremony into a global showcase of African creative excellence. Hosted at the iconic Eko Hotel and Suites, the annual event balances two core missions: honoring standout achievements in African film, television, and digital storytelling, while giving creators and celebrities a high-profile platform to test boundary-pushing fashion designs that spark conversation across the continent. This year, the red carpet leaned into unapologetic, over-the-top creativity, with many stars bringing large entourages to help navigate crowds of photographers and screaming fans while maneuvering oversized, elaborate ensembles.
One of the most viral looks of the night came from reality TV personality Queen Mercy Atang, who turned heads in a custom gown crafted entirely from more than 500 loaves of bread. Flanked by two attendants carrying additional bread trays and a team of assistants to support the heavy outfit as she walked the carpet, Atang admitted the design left her barely able to move freely — but explained the look was a deliberate marketing move for her own bread-baking business, not just a stunt for attention. “What better stage to promote my brand than the AMVCA?” she told reporters. The design, created by renowned Nigerian designer Toyin Lawani of Tiannah’s Empire, launched a new trend Lawani termed “everyone wear your business,” and quickly dominated social media discussion around the event. While some fans praised the clever entrepreneurial branding, others criticized the design as a waste of food — a claim Atang quickly rejected.
Ghanaian fashion icon Nana Akua Addo, long known for her dramatic AMVCA appearances, delivered another showstopping moment with a structured silver gown inspired by Germany’s Cologne Cathedral. The architectural design featured hand-painted details mimicking cathedral windows, sweeping cathedral-shaped extensions, and coordinated silver accessories, with Addo’s team on hand to help carry the largest sections of the piece. Designer Abasswoman revealed the creative process began back in November 2025, with final touches completed just 48 hours before the ceremony, built to mirror the centuries-old landmark’s grandeur and meticulous craftsmanship.
Nigerian actress Uche Montana, who also took home the night’s Trailblazer Award — an honor recognizing rising talents making unique contributions to African entertainment — arrived in a fiery red-and-gold feathered ensemble designed to symbolize “fire and the rebirth of the phoenix.” Montana shared that the look had been in development since the start of 2026, and that she invested a significant personal sum to bring the vision to life, pushing back against the common misconception that all celebrity red-carpet looks are provided for free by brands. “So much financial and emotional work goes into creating these looks,” she explained.
Beyond the red carpet spectacle, the night delivered emotional and historic moments that celebrated the very best of African storytelling. Bucci Franklin earned the award for Best Supporting Actor for his turn as Oboz, a brash, unapologetically loyal cybercrime boss in the feature *To Kill a Monkey*, a role deeply rooted in the street culture of Nigeria’s Benin region. To prepare for the part, Franklin immersed himself in local influencers, music, and dialect, a commitment that earned widespread praise from audiences for its raw realism. In a moving acceptance speech, Franklin dedicated the win to his mother, who passed away just one week before the film’s premiere. *To Kill a Monkey* also took home the award for Best Cinematography.
Linda Ejiofor made AMVCA history as the first performer ever to win two of the ceremony’s biggest acting awards in a single night: Best Lead Actress for *The Serpent’s Gift* and Best Supporting Actress for *The Herd*. The star told reporters she had only dared to hope for one win, but her husband had predicted the double victory ahead of the ceremony. She also thanked her mother, who worked with her to refine her Igbo language delivery for her roles until she felt fully confident in the performances.
The critically acclaimed drama *My Father’s Shadow* capped its historic awards run by taking home three of the night’s top honors: Best Movie, Best Director, and Best Writing, for filmmaker Akinola Davies Jr. The project, which explores themes of paternal love, estrangement, and grief, made history earlier this year as the first Nigerian film ever selected for the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival, and has already screened in theaters across Nigeria and the United Kingdom. It beat out fan favorites including *The Herd*, *The Serpent’s Gift*, and *Gingerrr* to claim the top prize.
Additional acting honors went to Uzor Arukwe, who took home Best Lead Actor for *Colours of Fire*, while industry veterans Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received Lifetime Achievement Awards for their decades-long contributions to Nollywood. Kanayo O. Kanayo leaned into his iconic on-screen persona as a stylish, powerful godfather for his red-carpet look, describing the tailored ensemble as a celebration of “old money godfatherism and tailored mafia” style, styled by Prinz Innovation.
Many stars used the red carpet to celebrate African cultural heritage, with Nollywood favorite Stan Nze — known for his work centering Igbo culture — stepping out in a sleek black ensemble paired with his signature traditional engraved horse-hide hand fan. Reality star and actor Tobi Bakre channeled Yoruba royalty in a handcrafted agbada by designers Deji and Kola, paired with a custom brass ceremonial staff. Actress and producer Monica Friday used her look to make a political statement, wearing a purple ball gown embroidered with the flags of seven nations including Iran, which she described as a tribute to conflict zones around the world and a call for global peace.
Even without an official best-dressed category this year, fan favorite Osas Ighodaro — a multiple-time winner of the award — delivered one of the most anticipated looks of the night, stepping out in a flowing silver corset gown by Veekee James encrusted with hundreds of crystals and gemstones. Emerging creators from across the continent also brought bold creativity to the red carpet: Angolan actress Lesliana Pereira wowed in a floor-length black gown featuring a half-butterfly wing embellished with shimmering gold and silver stones, while reality star OJ Posharella showcased her own design work in a multi-layered colorful look paired with an oversized statement bow perched on her head.
As the 12th AMVCA draws to a close, the event once again solidified its reputation as Africa’s leading cultural gathering, highlighting both the growing global influence of Nollywood and the unmatched creativity of African fashion designers.