Why your favourite actors, movies were not nominated - AMVCA

Nollywood veteran Joke Silva, serving as the Head Judge for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA), has shed light on the often contentious nomination process. Following the release of the 2026 nominees list, which saw films like 'Gingerrr' and 'The Herd' leading with multiple nods, fans and industry players voiced concerns over perceived snubs. Silva, speaking with Guardian Life, addressed these reactions, emphasizing the subjective nature of awards and the rigorous evaluation undertaken by the judging panel.

“

Well, there’s the panel of judges, people who are highly skilled, and they are people who understand film.

Silva explained that the non-voting categories are assessed by professionals with a deep understanding of film, performance, and technical execution. The final nominations are determined through a comprehensive grading system where multiple judges evaluate each submission. "I think awards, a lot of times, again, I will always say it, are subjective. And that is why we have a panel of judges," she stated, highlighting that the outcome is an aggregation of scores. Even she admitted to being surprised by certain omissions, noting that the final decision rests on the aggregate scores each project received.

“

I think awards, a lot of times, again, I will always say it, are subjective. And that is why we have a panel of judges. We have two sets of judges, so, as much as possible, it is an aggregation of marks, since every film is graded. Hopefully, the prayer is always: may the best man win.

This explanation comes amidst criticism, including actress Lilian Afegbai's public disappointment over her exclusion from the Best Supporting Actress category. Silva defined an award-worthy performance not just by line delivery but by the actor's ability to fully embody the character, making it believable and compelling. Despite the debates, Silva expressed immense pride in the burgeoning quality and volume of Nollywood productions submitted this year, seeing it as a testament to the rising standards in African film and television storytelling. The AMVCAs, with its 32 categories this year, continue to be a significant platform celebrating African cinema, even as the subjective nature of awards sparks ongoing discussion within the industry.

“

And yet, you see the quality of work. But it depends on the aggregate of scores that work got.