The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) lit up Lagos on Saturday, May 10, spotlighting the best of African storytelling in film and television. One of the most celebrated productions of the evening was Seven Doors, a Yoruba-language Netflix Original that dominated the ceremony with three major wins: Best Music Score, Best Lead Actor, and Best Lead Actress.
The triumphant showing cements the film’s impact on the African cinematic landscape and marks a continued streak of excellence for its creator and lead actor, Femi Adebayo.
Seven Doors Secures Spotlight with Three Key Awards
Femi Adebayo, an established actor and filmmaker, once again captivated AMVCA audiences with his creative prowess. After winning big with Jagun Jagun at the 2024 edition, Adebayo returned in 2025 with Seven Doors, another gripping Yoruba epic that quickly became a fan favorite.
Composer Tolu Obanro earned the Best Music Score award for his atmospheric and culturally rich soundtrack, which played a pivotal role in elevating the emotional weight of the film. Femi Adebayo himself was honored with the Best Lead Actor award for his commanding and heartfelt performance. Meanwhile, Chioma Chukwuka won Best Lead Actress for her dynamic and emotionally charged portrayal of the film’s female protagonist.
Netflix Success and National Reception
Seven Doors premiered on Netflix on December 13, 2024, and immediately resonated with viewers. Within just 24 hours, it claimed the top spot among Nigeria’s most-watched titles and held a place in Netflix Nigeria’s Top 10 for over three months. Its combination of culturally rooted storytelling, compelling performances, and high production value made it a standout entry during the AMVCA nomination window, which covered content released between January 1 and December 31, 2024.
The film eventually secured nominations in nine categories, reflecting its broad appeal and technical achievement.
Celebrating African Heritage and Artistic Achievement
Organized annually by MultiChoice, the AMVCA remains one of the continent’s most prestigious platforms for recognizing excellence in African film and television. This year’s edition brought together a diverse mix of industry professionals, stars, and fans to celebrate the best in acting, directing, cinematography, writing, and digital content.
Aside from the awards ceremony, the 2025 AMVCA also featured its beloved Cultural Day celebration. Attendees dressed in vibrant traditional attire to honor Africa’s rich heritage. Reality TV personalities Liquorose and Prince Nelson Enwerem were crowned Best Dressed Female and Male, respectively, each taking home a N1 million prize.
Honoring Legends: Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu
This year’s AMVCA also paid homage to two towering figures in African cinema—Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu—who were both presented with the Industry Merit Award. Their decades-long contributions to film and television have helped shape Nollywood into the globally recognized powerhouse it is today.
Owoh, known for his iconic comedic roles, and Mu’azu, a veteran actor and producer, were recognized not only for their body of work but also for inspiring generations of filmmakers and performers across the continent.
Complete List of Winners – AMVCA 2025 Highlights
Best Indigenous Language (West Africa):
🏆 Lisabi: The Uprising
Also nominated: Seven Doors, Kaka, Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre, Mai Martaba
Best Cinematography:
🏆 The Legend of the Vagabond (Queen of Lagos)
Also nominated: Agemo, Inkabi, Lisabi: The Uprising, Skeleton Coast, Soft Love, Yen Ara Asaase Ni
Best Documentary:
🏆 Mai DùnDún – Ifeoluwa
Also nominated: I Will Remember You, On Your Own, Walvis Tale
Best Digital Content Creator:
🏆 Iyo Prosper Adokiye
Also nominated: Maryam Apakagi-Greene, Elozonam Ogbolu & team, Jide Pounds Ibitoye, Ariyiikedimples & Brain Jotter
Best Short Film:
🏆 Brukaci
Also nominated: Sukari, The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seyi Ajayi, What Are You Truly Afraid Of?
Best Scripted M-Net Original:
🏆 My Fairytale Wedding – Chinenye Nworah & Taiwo Adebayo
Also nominated: Uriri, All Mine, Italo, The Caller, Kam U Stay
Best Unscripted M-Net Original:
🏆 Nigerian Idol (Season 9) – Kassim Suleiman
Also nominated: Husband Material, Pastor Wants a Wife
Best Music/Score:
🏆 Seven Doors – Tolu Obanro
Also nominated: Freedom Way, Inkabi, Skeleton Coast, Soft Love
Best Supporting Actress:
🏆 Mercy Aigbe – Farmer’s Bride
Other nominees: Meg Otanwa (Inside Life), Tina Mba (Suspicion), Ireti Doyle (All’s Fair in Love), Ini Dima-Okojie (Skeleton Coast), Omoni Oboli (The Uprising), Darasimi Nnadi (Aburo)
Best Supporting Actor:
🏆 Gabriel Afolayan – Inside Life
Other nominees: Adedayo Adebowale Macaroni (Lisabi: The Uprising), Aliu Gafar (Seven Doors), Femi Jacobs (Freedom Way), Richard Mofe-Damijo (Christmas in Lagos), Uzor Arukwe (Suspicion), Mike Afolarin (House of Ga’a), Efa Iwara (Princess on a Hill)
Best Lead Actress:
🏆 Chioma Chukwuka – Seven Doors
Other nominees: Gbubemi Ejeye (Farmer’s Bride), Uzoamaka Onuoha (Agemo), Uche Montana (Thinline), Uzoamaka Aniunoh (Phoenix Fury), Hilda Dokubo (The Uprising), Bimbo Ademoye (Anikulapo: Rise of the Spectre)
Best Lead Actor:
🏆 Femi Adebayo – Seven Doors
Other nominees: Gideon Okeke (Tokunbo), Bucci Franklin (The Weekend), Femi Branch (House of Ga’a), Thapelo Makoena (Skeleton Coast), Bimbo Manuel (Princess on a Hill), Stan Nze (Suspicion), Adedimeji Lateef (Lisabi: The Uprising)
Trailblazer Award:
🏆 Kayode Kasum
Industry Merit Awards:
🏆 Nkem Owoh
🏆 Sani Mu’azu
Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for African Storytelling
The 2025 AMVCA reaffirmed the growing global influence of African filmmakers, actors, and digital creators. With platforms like Netflix bringing local stories to international audiences and events like AMVCA recognizing excellence, the African film industry continues to thrive on creativity, authenticity, and innovation.
For Femi Adebayo and the Seven Doors team, the night was more than a celebration—it was a landmark moment in a journey defined by storytelling rooted in tradition and delivered with cinematic mastery.
