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Filmmaker Mildred Okwo suggests 2026 AMVCA could be its final edition
via Punch Nigeria2 min read
Filmmaker Mildred Okwo has suggested that the current Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards AMVCA could be its last, raising concerns about the future of the popular awards platform. Okwo posted on X, stating she would be surprised if this AMVCA is not the farewell edition. Her comments come amid discussions about the commercial viability of the awards, especially following recent ownership changes involving MultiChoice and its evolving content strategy. Okwo argued that new owners might not be interested in shows that do not yield a significant return on investment in the initial years of acquisition, noting the high cost of producing the show. These concerns arise as MultiChoice focuses on its streaming platform, Showmax, to drive future growth amidst increasing competition. Voting for the 12th edition of the awards has closed, with winners to be announced on May 9. The ceremony will be broadcast live across Africa Magic channels. This year's edition includes 32 categories, with veteran actress Joke Silva serving as Head Judge. Two new categories, Best Indigenous Language Film North Africa and Best Indigenous Language Film Central Africa, were introduced to enhance pan-African representation. The speculation about AMVCA's future follows French media giant Canal+'s acquisition of remaining shares in MultiChoice in July 2025, a deal expected to reshape the company's operations with a stronger emphasis on digital expansion and streaming platforms.
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