Since its birth in 2014, the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards has been used as a yearly hallmark to highlight the most notable achievements in the African filmmaking industry.
Regarded as the Oscars of Africa, winning an AMVCA award has launched the careers of several actors and producers. The newly introduced Best Short Film or Online video, Best Indigenous Language, and Best Social Online Content Creator will also help to catapult more burgeoning talents in the creative industry.
Winning the highly-coveted award is enough to invoke teary, emotional, and heart-gripping moments from the winner. From joyous moments to passionate speeches, here are the five most emotional moments at the AMVCA8:
1. Osas Ighodaro was visibly overcome with emotions when she won her first award of the night for the Best Actress in a Drama for her role in Rattlesnake. From her hurried run to the stage to the small dance with her co-star, Stan Nze, who also picked up the award for ‘Best Actor in a Drama’ for the same film, the actress was overjoyed.
In what seemed like a bittersweet moment for the actress, she dedicated the award to her late mum. She passed away during the film project. She also dedicated the award to her daughter. Her excitement was palpable, and she nearly drew the audience to tears. Later during the night, The Rattlesnake actress won another award for the Best Dressed in the female category.
2. Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett also had one of the most emotional moments of the night. She was given the special recognition ‘Industry Merit Award’, and she seemed genuinely thrilled and surprised. The 81-year-old Nollywood veteran received the award presented by Joke Silva with what looked to be a gaze filled with surprise and awe.
She gave an emotional speech about how she returned home from England years ago to join the cast of Nigeria’s longest-running TV series, Tinsel. She thanked everyone for the honour they’d bestowed upon her and talked about hopefully dying at home amongst her people.
3. Omowunmi Dada won the Best Supporting Actress in a Movie or TV series for her role in Country Hard. She gave a moving award acceptance speech afterwards. The fast-rising actress couldn’t believe she had finally won her first AMVCA and dedicated the award to her mommy. She also dedicated it to every woman working hard to make a name for themselves in Nollywood, adding a prayer that they will all ‘blow’.
4. It was another emotional moment for the winner of the first-ever Best Online Social Content Creator, Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Ejekwu. Best known as Mr Sabinus or Mr Funny, he remained speechless amid the cheers and applause. In a tight race among the nominees in the category, he won and was genuinely surprised. He talked about how he had come to Lagos just a few years ago and how crazy it was that he was winning his first award in the state at the AMVCAs.
5. For Balogun Abiodun, winning the ‘Best Makeup’ category at the eighth awards was everything. Unable to contain her joy, she cried as she thanked the AMVCAs for the honour. Flanked by the producers of the show she had won for, Omo Ghetto: The Saga, Funke Akindele and JJC Skillz, she wept as she continued to praise God for the grace he had bestowed on her.
The AMVCA awards ceremony was the perfect end to the 8-day lineup of festivities that commenced on Saturday, May 7, 2022. For a recap of everything that happened during the eighth edition of the annual award show, visit www.africamagic.tv/AMVCA and follow all official handles of Africa Magic on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.