AMVCA Makes Major Changes To Voting Process For 2024 Edition As Submissions Open

AMVCA 2024 will be held in Lagos in May 2024.

Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA) organizers have made major changes ahead of their 2024 edition.

This was made in a statement on Monday by the Head of Content and Channels West Africa, MultiChoice, Dr Busola Tejumola as nominations officially open.

According to the statement, films and movies to be submitted should be strictly those publicly exhibited or broadcast from Dec. 1, 2022 and Dec. 31, 2023. Films aired in cinemas or otherwise, made-for-television movies and television series, as long as they meet the terms and conditions, were eligible.

The ‘Best Actor or Best Actress in a Leading or Supporting Role’ categories will now be determined by a select jury instead of the previous public voting system.

The 27 categories are divided into 16 non-voting and 9 audience voting categories; and 2 Recognition Awards (Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer Awards).

In total, there will be 16 categories for non-voting, including Best Lead Actor and Actress, Best Supporting Actor and Actress, Best Director, Art Direction, Cinematography, and Costume Design, Best Writing in a Movie and TV Series, Best Movie and TV Series, Best Short Film, Best Documentary, and Best Sound Design, Editing, and Makeup. The eight categories for audience voting include Best Scripted Africa Magic Original, Best Unscripted Africa Magic Original, Best Digital Content Creator, Best Indigenous Language (for West, East, and Southern Africa), Best Multichoice Talent Factory Film, and Best Indigenous Africa Magic Original.

This jury, consisting of experienced filmmakers from across the continent and led by a head juror, will determine the winners in the 16 non-voting categories, while the public will determine the winners in the remaining 8 audience voting categories.

In her words, Tejumola said:

“Over the past decade, Africa Magic has steadfastly upheld its commitment to spotlighting authentic African stories, especially those that mirror our diverse and rich cultures. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, we embark on a bold initiative to reevaluate our award categories to further align with global trends and benchmarks. It would involve retiring specific categories, streamlining others, and revisiting the voting and non-voting classifications”.

“The AMVCAs remains committed to celebrating the incredible talent in the African film and television industry, the amazing people who do the work in front and behind the cameras and you, our viewers who continue to support the hard work of the television and film industry. Thank you for being an integral part of the AMVCA journey,” Tejumola added.

Nomination entries officially open from January 15 to February 14, 2023.

To enter the awards, all filmmakers must prepare the movie for consideration with online submission through: //www.africamagic.tv/AMVCA.