…nothing is stopping us anymore, we are taking over– Lateef Adedimeji
The heart of Lagos pulsed with the energy of African creativity on Saturday, May 10, 2025, as the 11th AMVCA took center stage.
This spectacular event was a joyous testament to the power and artistry of African cinema, dazzling fashion, and rich cultural expression.
Proving once again why it’s hailed as “Africa’s Oscars” – and perhaps deserving of even greater distinction – the night delivered a breathtaking blend of red carpet glamour and history-making moments, igniting a sense of cinematic elegance and deep pan-African pride.
From the moment the first flashes went off on the red carpet, it was clear that the 2025 AMVCA would raise the bar.
The red carpet shimmered under lights, not just because of sequins and silk, but because of the personalities, the meanings woven into the fabric, and the stories stitched into every look. For many, it was more than a fashion show—it was a statement.
Speaking with Per Second News on the carpet, actress and producer Uche Jombo said: “This night is about legacy. You look around, and you see so many people who have pushed boundaries—creatively and culturally. I’m proud to be part of an industry that’s finally being recognized beyond our shores.”
Uche, who stunned in a flowing silk ensemble accentuated by regal neck jewelry and a soft, wine-toned makeup palette, was among the evening’s style icons.
She added: “This look? It’s a nod to strength and softness. I wanted something that said ‘veteran’ without losing the excitement of a girl who still loves the lights.”
Mercy Aigbe made just as powerful a fashion statement, dressing in a luminous gold outfit that glittered like the award she would eventually take home.
With a trailing cape and a majestic gele that echoed royal Yoruba heritage, she embodied the spirit of her film Farmer’s Bride, for which she later clinched Best Supporting Actress.
“I came here tonight with no expectations,” Mercy told Per Second News, her eyes glistening after the award.
“But standing here, holding this, I’m reminded that every story has its time. Farmer’s Bride was a labor of love. We shot it in the thick of rain and doubt, but here we are.”
Perhaps the most flamboyant personality of the evening, Pretty Mike, ensured his entrance would be a talking point.
He walked in flanked by seven models dressed to represent the metaphysical “doors” from Seven Doors—each one styled in surreal fashion inspired by a different African spiritual concept.
“I didn’t just want to show up—I wanted to honour storytelling,” he told Per Second News.
“This event is about breaking boundaries. If a story like Seven Doors can take home the biggest trophies tonight, then symbolic visuals like this should also walk the red carpet.”
Indeed, Seven Doors, the historical epic directed by Femi Adebayo, swept the night, winning Best Lead Actor, Best Lead Actress, Best Score/Music, and several technical nods.
The film’s compelling plot centered on King Adedunjoye, a reluctant monarch haunted by a generational curse that can only be broken by marrying six more wives—each representing a virtue his bloodline had lost.
Femi Adebayo, in his acceptance speech, said: “This is not just a win for me—it’s a win for every director who dares to go big with African mythology. We don’t always need to look outside our culture for complex narratives. Africa is full of stories that deserve this kind of spotlight.”
In an exclusive backstage conversation with Per Second News, Adebayo elaborated: “When we wrote Seven Doors, we wanted to blend the spiritual with the political. The idea was to reflect how rulers often wrestle with legacy, not just power. That this film resonates so widely tells me that audiences are hungry for rooted storytelling.”
Chioma Chukwuka, who won Best Lead Actress for her role as Amaka in the same film, was absent due to a family emergency.
Accepting the award on her behalf, Femi said: “Chioma gave her soul to that role. She made the script sing. She deserves this and more.”
Music composer Tolu Obanro, who took home Best Score/Music for Seven Doors, said the score was “built on a blend of traditional Yoruba chants and cinematic percussion.”
He added: “We didn’t want the music to just accompany the film—we wanted it to live inside it.”
Lateef Adedimeji, who also starred in Seven Doors and Lisabi: The Uprising, emerged as one of the night’s most decorated figures.
Dressed in royal blue agbada coordinated with his wife, actress Adebimpe Oyebade, Lateef turned heads before even stepping onto the stage.
Speaking with Per Second News, he said, “It’s emotional. To be recognized for something that began as a dream in a small studio years ago—it’s surreal. And to do this alongside my wife, who’s also breaking ground in her own right, just makes the moment richer.”
Their film Lisabi: The Uprising swept the categories of Best Art Direction, Best Makeup, and Best Indigenous Language (West Africa). Adedimeji credited the project’s success to its “respect for historical accuracy” and its “devotion to language as a cultural weapon.”
“This was more than a movie—it was an act of remembrance,” Adebimpe told Per Second News. “Our ancestors left stories, and we are just vessels retelling them for a new generation.”
In the digital content space, Iyo Prosper stunned the audience by clinching Best Digital Content Creator for We Listen, We Don’t Judge – Bible Edition, edging out heavyweights like Taaooma, Brain Jotter, and Elozonam.
The viral series, known for its mix of biblical introspection and modern dilemmas, captured viewers with its humor and humanity.
“This award means that digital storytelling matters. We’re not just making skits. We’re making culture,” Iyo said backstage.
Other highlights of the evening included Blessing Uzzi’s double win for Freedom Way, which earned her Best Writing (Movie) and Best Movie. She called the film “a meditation on survival and the stories we hide behind our smiles.”
“The hardest part was writing the quiet moments—those places where silence speaks louder than words,” Uzzi told Per Second News. “I’m so grateful the audience saw themselves in it.”
Best Director went to Awam Amkpa for his bold reimagining of Wole Soyinka’s The Man Died.
He called the award “a mandate to keep adapting literature for the screen,” and said, “Nigerian literature is a goldmine. We must mine it, adapt it, perform it.”
Gabriel Afolayan secured Best Supporting Actor for Inside Life, a gripping tale of betrayal and friendship. “The character I played was so layered—flawed but lovable,” he said. “That’s the sweet spot for an actor.”
Director Clarence Peters also took home Best Scripted Series for Inside Life, rounding out one of the strongest showings for a TV series in AMVCA history.
The evening took a poignant turn when veteran actors Sani Mu’azu and Nkem Owoh were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Their acceptance speeches moved many in the audience to tears. Mu’azu, holding back emotion, said,:“We built this house with bare hands. Now I see what’s possible when passion meets perseverance.”
Owoh added: “Don’t let anyone tell you that comedy cannot build a nation. Laughter is survival.”
The Trailblazer Award went to Kayode Kasum, known for his kinetic storytelling and willingness to explore modern themes.
“I’m doing this for every young Nigerian shooting scenes on their phones and cutting on free software,” he said. “You’re not behind—you’re just early.”
The AMVCA also maintained its pan-African mandate, with Abel Mutua Musyoka of Kenya winning Best Indigenous Language (East Africa) and Best Writing in a TV Series.
Southern African filmmaker Cosmas Ng’andwe was honoured for his unique blend of oral tradition and avant-garde editing.
Regional stars Adedimeji and Adebimpe returned to the stage to claim West Africa’s spotlight.
Other notable wins included:
Leo Purman, Best Cinematography (The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos)
Michael Botha, Olaosebikan Okonrende & Dil Chike Ajufo, Best Sound Design (Suspicion)
Adedamola Adeyemi, Best Costume Design (Christmas in Lagos)
Kassim Sulaiman & Anneke De Ridder, Best Unscripted M-Net Original (Nigerian Idol)
By the end of the night, it was evident that the AMVCA had once again fulfilled its promise—not just as an awards show, but as a powerful mirror to the possibilities of African cinema.
Fashion, legacy, and raw storytelling rooted in the continent and aimed at the world.
As Femi Adebayo summed up in his closing words to Per Second News: “We are no longer waiting for validation. We are writing, acting, and living our truth. That’s what tonight is about.”
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