AMAA 2026 Nominations
The race for the 2026 Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) is officially on. Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra lead the 22nd edition with 14 nominations each, while Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love and The Herd head the Nollywood charge and Ghana’s The Fisherman flies the Black Star flag in the Best Film category.
The nominations were unveiled on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during a livestream on the awards’ official YouTube channel. Winners will be announced on November 15, 2026, at the Lagos Marriott Hotel in Lagos.
Quick Facts
- Event: 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA 2026)
- Nominations announced: Saturday, October 17, 2026, via livestream
- Ceremony: November 15, 2026, Lagos Marriott Hotel, Lagos
- Most nominated: Slum Bomber (Uganda) and One Woman, One Bra (Kenya), 14 each
- Top Nigerian film: To Adaego With Love, 11 nominations
- Ghana’s Best Film entry: The Fisherman, directed by Zoey Martinson
Uganda and Kenya Set the Pace
East Africa has made a loud statement this year. Slum Bomber from Uganda and One Woman, One Bra from Kenya top the list with 14 nods apiece, including spots in Best Film and Best Director.
Behind them, Nigeria’s To Adaego With Love has 11 nominations. The Herd (Nigeria), The Trek (South Africa), Ben Made It (South Africa) and Colours of Exile (Côte d’Ivoire) follow with 10 each, while Nigeria’s Colours of Fire has nine.
Nine Films Battle for Best Film
The biggest prize of the night features nine films from seven countries: South Africa, Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda, Kenya and Cameroon. The nominees are:
- The Trek
- To Adaego With Love
- The Fisherman
- Colours of Exile
- Slum Bomber
- One Woman, One Bra
- The Herd
- Ben Made It
- Mabanda
Nollywood’s Strong Showing
Nigeria has two films in the Best Film race. To Adaego With Love, directed by Nwamaka Chikezie, and The Herd, directed by Daniel Etim-Effiong, are also in the running for Best Director.
Etim-Effiong has a strong double chance this year. Apart from directing The Herd, he is also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for his work in the same film.
Familiar Faces in the Acting Categories
Several big Nollywood names made the cut. In the Best Actress in a Leading Role category, Nigeria is represented by Chisom Agoawuike (To Adaego With Love), Osas Ighodaro (Colours of Fire), Faithia Balogun (Efunroye) and Toyin Abraham (Oversabi Aunty).
For Best Actor in a Leading Role, Wale Ojo (Light Out) and Uzor Arukwe (Colours of Fire) join Etim-Effiong on the list.
The supporting categories also carry Nigerian stars. Dele Odule, Femi Branch, Bucci Franklin and Bob-Manuel Udokwu are up for Best Supporting Actor, while Linda Ejiofor, Mercy Aigbe, Omowunmi Dada and Patience Ozokwor are nominated for Best Supporting Actress.
Best Nigerian Film
The Best Nigerian Film category has nine entries: Iwe Ala, To Adaego With Love, Colours of Fire, Suky, Efunroye (The Unicorn), The Herd, Cordelia, The Creek and Oversabi Aunty.
Ghana’s Hopes Rest on The Fisherman
Ghana has a real shot at glory through The Fisherman. The film is nominated for Best Film, and its director, Zoey Martinson, appears in both the Best Director and debut director categories.
Its lead star, Ricky Adelayitar, is nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role. The film also picked up nods for Costume Design and Visual Effects.
Ghana also has entries outside the main race. Ananse and The Divine Journey, a Ghana/USA project, is nominated for Best Animation, while Ashes of Accra is in the Best Short Film category.
Other Categories to Watch
The Best Young/Promising Actor category brings in fresh talent from across the continent, including Nigeria’s James Solomon Damilare (Suky), Osas Okonyon (Evi), Onyinye Odokoro (Oblation) and Gbubemi Ejeye (Idia).
The Best Film by an African Living Abroad award, named after Michael Anyiam-Osigwe, features Hanami, A Tribe Called Love, The Man Who Never Was and Boys Wear Pink Too.
Nigerian documentaries such as Asaba Massacre also earned recognition, showing that the awards go beyond feature films.
What the Organisers Said
Speaking at the announcement, AMAA chief executive Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe said, “African stories are global stories.” He also praised the nominees, telling them, “You have raised the bar for African cinema.”
Dr Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of Nigeria’s National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), spoke on behalf of the jury and expressed confidence in the selection process.
Why AMAA 2026 Matters
The AMAA, organised by the Africa Film Academy, remains one of the continent’s most respected film honours. This year’s list shows how far African storytelling has spread, with strong entries from East, West, Central and Southern Africa.
It also comes at a time when African films are reaching bigger global audiences, as seen with moves like Mo Abudu’s EbonyLife Place in London, a cinema dedicated to African and Black films.
All eyes now turn to Lagos on November 15. Will East Africa sweep the night, can Nollywood hold its ground at home, or will Ghana’s The Fisherman pull off a big win? Stay with Halmblog for the full list of winners.
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