AMVCA 2026:
Fashion Film and a Night to Remember
By Tomisin Juliet Faoye
It is generally acknowledged that the AMVCA is the Met Gala and even the Oscars of the African continent. Once every year, Africa gathers to celebrate the best of cinematic genius, and naturally, this is accompanied by a buoyant display of high fashion.
This year, the AMVCAs came hot on the heels of the Met Gala, making the fashion displays all the more exciting. Designers like Veekee James, Deji and Kola, Bibi Christophers, Emagine by Bukola, House of Dova, and Tiannah's Place Empire sent the red carpets reeling with their designs.
From culturally inspired wears to global masterpieces that matched and perhaps even surpassed the energy at the Met Gala, the event was one for the books. Nigerian designer, AMVCA nominee, and winner of the Daily Times Young Fashion Designer of the Year Award, Chukwukadibia Ezeanyawu, had several of his designs rock the red carpet, adorning celebrities such as Ezike Uche Kelvin and Steve Chucks. These outfits attested to Chukwukadibia's creative genius in crafting both traditional outfits and contemporary cuts.
The 45th Miss Nigeria, Doris Ogah, also graced the occasion in her regal crown, adding a beautiful air of royalty to the ceremony.
Beyond the high fashion of the night, the event celebrated bold storytelling as much as it did breakout performances. Akinola Davies Jr.'s My Father's Shadow emerged as one of the evening's biggest winners, taking home Best Movie alongside awards for Best Director, Best Writing, and Best Sound Design.
Linda Ejiofor had a standout moment, clinching both Best Lead Actress for The Serpent's Gift and Best Supporting Actress for The Herd, while Uzor Arukwe was named Best Lead Actor for Colours of Fire. Craft categories celebrated technical brilliance, with To Kill a Monkey sweeping Best Editing, Cinematography, and Score, and Lateef Adedimeji's Lisabi: A Legend Is Born earning Best Indigenous Language Film for West Africa. The night also honored legacy and rising talent alike, as Sola Sobowale and Kanayo O. Kanayo received Industry Merit Awards, and Uche Montana was named Trailblazer of the Year.
This year, like every other, the AMVCA dominated the media space for days after it held, proving it to be one of the most anticipated annual events on the continent. As we celebrate fashion and creative talent via the AMVCA, we look forward to an even more exciting edition next year. Cheers in advance to the 13th AMVCA!
