Mildred Okwo AMVCA future concerns surface as filmmaker warns the awards may face sustainability challenges under new industry direction

Nigerian filmmaker and industry figure Mildred Okwo, a former member of the Nigerian Official Selection Committee, has raised concerns over the future of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), suggesting the 2026 edition could mark a turning point for the prestigious event.

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In a post shared on X on Monday, Mildred Okwo stated that she would be “very surprised” if the ongoing edition of the awards does not turn out to be its final outing, a remark that has triggered widespread discussion within Nigeria’s entertainment industry.

Her comments come at a time of significant change within the African film and television ecosystem, particularly following shifts in ownership structures and evolving content strategies linked to MultiChoice and its streaming platform Showmax.

Mildred Okwo further expressed concerns about the financial sustainability of the awards under new corporate priorities, arguing that large-scale productions such as the AMVCA require substantial investment and may struggle to deliver immediate returns on investment.

“I doubt the new owners will be interested in shows that don’t make a serious ROI in the first few years of buying the business,” she wrote, highlighting what she described as the growing commercial pressures shaping entertainment programming.

The Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards remains one of the continent’s most prominent film and television honours, celebrating excellence across multiple categories and attracting widespread industry attention each year.

Organisers of the AMVCA, however, have confirmed that preparations for the 12th edition are ongoing, with voting officially closed and winners set to be announced on May 9.

The ceremony will be broadcast live across Africa Magic channels, with a red carpet event scheduled for 4:00 p.m. WAT and the main show at 7:00 p.m.

This year’s edition features 32 award categories, including jury-selected honours, audience-voted segments, and special recognitions such as Lifetime Achievement and Trailblazer awards.

Veteran actress Joke Silva has been named Head Judge for the 2026 edition, taking over from filmmaker Femi Odugbemi.

Organisers have also introduced new regional categories aimed at expanding representation across Africa, including Best Indigenous Language Film for North and Central Africa.

Mildred Okwo’s remarks carry added weight given her previous role within the Nigerian Official Selection Committee, from which she resigned in 2022 alongside other industry figures following a dispute over Nigeria’s submission for the Academy Awards.

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As discussions around the future of the AMVCA intensify, industry stakeholders are watching closely to see how commercial pressures and evolving digital strategies may shape one of Africa’s most recognisable entertainment platforms.