Showmax Originals lead Kenyan nominees at 2023 AMVCAs

Nominations for the 2023 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) were announced yesterday, with Kenya earning 17 nominations in total - its highest yet. This coveted list includes a first-time four nominations for Kenyan Showmax Originals, three for Maisha Magic titles (also available on Showmax), and two for MultiChoice Talent Films on Showmax.

Now in its ninth year and 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.

In this year’s edition, Showmax Originals County 49 and Single Kiasi have both been nominated for Best TV Series.

Single Kiasi, which recently concluded its second season and is now available to binge, follows three friends in Nairobi as they go through the ups and downs of marriage, relationships, and their careers. 

Launched in August 2022, the political thriller series County 49 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. Adding 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.

In the category of Best Movie East Africa, Baba Twins, the first Showmax Original movie in Kenya, has been nominated alongside Click Click Bang and Married to Work.

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.

More Showmax Originals in the AMVCAs nominee list include

• Crime and Justice Lagos, an adaptation of Kenya’s Crime and Justice - Best TV Series, Best Cinematographer, Best Picture Editor, Best Lighting Designer, Best Art Director
• Nigerian psychological thriller Diiche – Best TV Series, Best Writer (Episode 5: Sodi Kurubo, Stephanie Dadet and Victor Aghahowa), Best Picture Editor, Best Cinematographer, Best Lighting Designer
• The Real Housewives of Lagos - Best TV Series, Best Cinematographer, Best Lighting Designer and Best Costume Designer
• Nigerian drama Flawsome – Best TV Series, Best Actress in a Drama (Ini Dima-Okojie and Enado Odigie), Best Lighting Designer
• Wura, the first Showmax Original telenovela in Nigeria - Best Actress in a Telenovela (Scarlet Gomez)

The 2023 AMVCA nominees are further proof that Showmax is the best place to stream local series; Showmax is the streaming home of 6/9 of the Best TV Series nominees (County 49, Crime & Justice Lagos, Diiche, Flawsome, The Real Housewives of Lagos, Single Kiasi); 7/9 of the Best Telenovela nominees (Covenant, Dede, Huba, Itura, Mpali, Prestige, Salem); 8/11 of the Best Drama Series nominees (Accra Medic, Dirty Laundry, Pazia, Pete, Ricordi, The Rishantes, To Have and To Hold, Unmarried); and 7/10 of the Best Comedy Series nominees (Co-Habits, Flatmates, My Siblings and I, Njoro Wa Uba, RSM, The Johnsons, and Uncle Limbani). 

Voting is now open. Find the full list of nominees here.