Kenyan content creators have much to celebrate as the nominations for the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) were announced. Kenya has received a total of 17 nominations, its highest to date, and this year’s edition of the AMVCAs features a record four nominations for Kenyan Showmax Originals, with three for Maisha Magic titles, which are also available on Showmax, and two for MultiChoice Talent Films on Showmax. This is a testament to the increasing growth and recognition of Kenya’s film and television industry.
Established as arguably Africa’s most prestigious film and TV awards, the AMVCAs are an annual accolade held in Lagos, Nigeria, to recognise outstanding achievement in film and television. The 2023 nominees were announced on April 17, 2023, and Showmax Originals lead the way with the most nominations for Kenyan content creators.
Two Showmax Originals have been nominated for Best TV Series: County 49 and Single Kiasi. Single Kiasi follows three friends in Nairobi as they navigate the ups and downs of marriage, relationships, and careers. Meanwhile, County 49 is a political thriller series that premiered in August 2022 and follows a new governor whose leadership is put to the test when she’s taken hostage by a mysterious group decrying corruption. The series broke streaming records for the most first-day views on Showmax in Kenya when it premiered. In addition to its Best TV Series nod, County 49 star James Webbo has also been nominated for Best Supporting Actor in a Movie or TV Series.
Baba Twins, the first Showmax Original movie in Kenya, has been nominated for Best Movie East Africa alongside Click Click Bang and Married to Work. Baba Twins is a story about two identical twin brothers who face a moral dilemma when they find themselves in the middle of a family feud.
Other Kenyan nominees on Showmax include Maisha Magic titles Njoro wa Uba for Best Original Comedy, Salem for Best Original Telenovela, Pete for Best Original Drama Series, and the Multichoice Talent Factory Films Cheza and Stinger for Best Multichoice Talent Film.
Showmax Originals have received multiple nominations in various categories. Crime and Justice Lagos, an adaptation of Kenya’s Crime and Justice, has been nominated for Best TV Series, Best Cinematographer, Best Picture Editor, Best Lighting Designer, and Best Art Director. Nigerian psychological thriller Diiche has been nominated for Best TV Series, Best Writer (Episode 5: Sodi Kurubo, Stephanie Dadet, and Victor Aghahowa), Best Picture Editor, Best Cinematographer, and Best Lighting Designer. The Real Housewives of Lagos has been nominated for Best TV Series, Best Cinematographer, Best Lighting Designer, and Best Costume Designer. Nigerian drama Flawsome has been nominated for Best TV Series, Best Actress in a Drama (Ini Dima-Okojie and Enado Odigie), and Best Lighting Designer. Wura, the first Showmax Original telenovela in Nigeria, has been nominated for Best Actress in a Telenovela (Scarlet Gomez).
Showmax is the streaming home of 7/9 of the Best TV Series nominees, 7/9 of the Best Telenovela nominees, 9/11 of the Best Drama Series nominees, and 7/10 of the Best Comedy Series nominees.
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