Beverly Osu, Nollywood actress and model has criticised the organisers of 2025 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) for losing its essence and focusing on what she described as a ‘Masquerade parade.’
Taking to her Instagram stories on Thursday night, Osu, who shared her thoughts on the event, drew comparisons between the AMVCA and international film festivals, pointing out that the Nigerian award body is heading in the opposite direction.
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She wrote, “While Cannes is setting boundaries by banning nudity and massive trains on the red carpet to refocus attention on actors and filmmakers, AMVCA is spiraling in the opposite direction. What was once a celebration of African cinematic excellence now looks like a masquerade parade.”
In a subsequent post, she added:
“It’s no longer about the craft. It’s about CLOUT. Social media numbers are being prioritized over performances. The Red carpet feels louder than the awards. The heart of the industry, the storytellers, the technicians, the performers are being drowned by corsets and algorithms.”
Sponsored by Amstel Malta and presented by MultiChoice, the 11th edition of the AMVCA took place last Saturday at the Exhibition Center, Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, Nigeria.
The event honoured excellence in television, film and digital content creation across Africa. Notable winners included Femi Adebayo and Chioma Chukwuka, secured Best Actor and Best Actress in a Drama for their roles in Seven Doors.
The film Freedom Way clinched the Best Film award, while Lisabi: The Uprising received accolades for Best Indigenous Language Film (West Africa), Best Art Director and Best Makeup Artist.
Veteran actors Nkem Owoh and Sani Mu’azu were honoured with Lifetime Achievement Awards.
