Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana will battle for the Best Film award at the 22nd edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), following the unveiling of nominees for the 2026 edition. The competition features nine films from six African countries, including Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love and The Herd, South Africa’s The Trek and …
AMAA 226: Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana in Race for Best African film
Nigeria, South Africa and Ghana will battle for the Best Film award at the 22nd edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA), following the unveiling of nominees for the 2026 edition.
The competition features nine films from six African countries, including Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love and The Herd, South Africa’s The Trek and Ben Made It, and Ghana’s The Fisherman.
Other contenders in the category are The Color of Exile from Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda’s Slum Bomber, Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra and Cameroon’s Mabanda.
The Africa Film Academy (AFA), organisers of the continental film awards, announced the nominees on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at a gathering of industry stakeholders and filmmakers at the Radisson Blu, Ikeja GRA, Lagos.
Chief Operating Officer of AFA, Dr Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, announced that the awards ceremony would hold on November 15, 2026.
Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra emerged as the biggest contenders in the nominations, securing 14 nominations each.
They were followed by Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love, which garnered 11 nominations, while Daniel Etim-Effiong’s The Herd received 10 nominations. Colours of Fire followed with nine nods.
The nominations highlight the growing competition among African film industries, with productions from Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya and other countries featuring across major categories.
Nigerian actors and filmmakers also secured nominations in several categories, including Daniel Etim-Effiong, Osas Ighodaro, Toyin Abraham, Omowunmi Dada, Uzor Arukwe and Wale Ojo.
Etim-Effiong earned three nominations, including Best Director, Best Debut Feature Film by a Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role, all for his work on The Herd.
Osas Okonyon was nominated for Best Young/Promising Actor for her performance in Evi.
In the Best Director category, Nigerian filmmakers Nwamaka Chikezie, for To Adaego With Love, and Etim-Effiong, for The Herd, will compete against filmmakers from South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon.
Other nominees include Maureen Nankya for Slum Bomber, Vincho Nchongu for One Woman, One Bra, Zoey Martinson for The Fisherman and Pheello Makosholo for Ben Made It.
The Best Actress in a Leading Role category also features a strong Nigerian presence, with Chisom Agoawuike nominated for To Adaego With Love, Faithia Balogun for Efunroye: The Unicorn, Osas Ighodaro for Colours of Fire and Toyin Abraham for Oversabi Auntie.
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Nigerian actors Daniel Etim-Effiong, Wale Ojo and Uzor Arukwe are among the nominees for Best Actor in a Leading Role.
The unveiling was attended by members of the AMAA jury, led by the Head of the College of Screeners, Dr Shaibu Husseini, and Hon. Steve Ayorinde.
Other jury members include June Givanni, John Akomfrah, Hyginus Ekwuazi, Ayuko Babu and Asantewa Olatunji.
The 22nd edition of AMAA is expected to bring together filmmakers, actors, producers and other stakeholders to celebrate achievements in African cinema and recognise outstanding productions and performances across the continent.
Victor Ezeja is a Nigerian journalist skilled in producing insightful news analyses, feature stories, and interviews that simplify complex issues and drive informed public discourse. His work combines rigorous research, balanced reporting, and compelling storytelling to highlight developments shaping industries and society. Victor, who holds a Master's Degree in Mass Communication, specializes in energy, aviation, business, and economic reporting. He can be reached via @VICTOREZEJA on X
