Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra have emerged as the leading contenders for the 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards, securing 14 nominations each in a shortlist that places East, West, Central and Southern African cinema in direct conversation ahead of the ceremony on 15 November 2026.
The nominations were announced on Saturday, 17 October, in a livestream by the Africa Movie Academy Awards. Both leading films are nominated for Best Film, Best Director and Best Debut Feature Film by a Director, underlining the strength of new filmmaking voices in this year’s field.
Slum Bomber, directed by Maureen Nankya, is also in contention for the Ousmane Sembene Award for Best Film in an African Language, as well as screenplay, editing, cinematography, sound, soundtrack, make-up and acting honours. Jackline Nafula is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Samuel Kabugo for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Ocen Daniel for Best Young or Promising Actor.
Kenyan director Vincho Nchogu’s One Woman, One Bra matches that 14-nomination haul. Sarah Karel is shortlisted for Best Actress in a Leading Role, Amos Leuka for Best Actor in a Supporting Role and Norng’aruani Kipuker for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. The film also competes in the African-language, production design, costume, soundtrack, sound, cinematography, editing and screenplay categories.
Nigerian films mount a broad challenge
Nwamaka Chikezie’s To Adaego With Love is the most-nominated Nigerian film with 11 nods. It is in the races for Best Film, Best Director, Best Debut Feature and Best Nigerian Film, while Chisom Agoawuike is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role and Bob-Manuel Udokwu for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.
The film’s nominations across production design, costume, soundtrack, sound and screenplay also recognise the technical departments that shape a production beyond its best-known faces. That breadth is significant for an industry seeking stronger international visibility not only for actors and directors, but also for writers, designers, editors and other craftspeople.
Daniel Etim-Effiong’s The Herd follows with 10 nominations. Etim-Effiong is named in three categories: Best Director, Best Debut Feature Film by a Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role. Linda Ejiofor is nominated for Best Actress in a Supporting Role, while the film is also shortlisted for Best Film, Best Nigerian Film, production design, make-up, visual effects and screenplay.
Other films with 10 nominations include South Africa’s The Trek and Ben Made It, alongside Côte d’Ivoire’s Colours of Exile. Nigeria’s Colours of Fire has nine nominations, including acting nods for Uzor Arukwe, Osas Ighodaro, Femi Branch and Mercy Aigbe.
A continental Best Film contest
The Best Film shortlist reflects the geographical range of the awards. The nine nominees are The Trek and Ben Made It from South Africa, To Adaego With Love and The Herd from Nigeria, The Fisherman from Ghana, Colours of Exile from Côte d’Ivoire, Slum Bomber from Uganda, One Woman, One Bra from Kenya and Mabanda from Cameroon.
The directing category carries the same continental breadth, with Meekaaeel Adam, Nwamaka Chikezie, Azlorabe Alaoui, Maureen Nankya, Vincho Nchogu, Daniel Etim-Effiong, Pheello Makosholo, Kang Quintus and Zoey Martinson competing for the award.
The Nigerian slate also carries important Yoruba creative representation. Faithia Balogun is nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for Efunroye (The Unicorn), which is also shortlisted for Best Film in an African Language and Best Nigerian Film. Dele Odule is nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Iwe Ala, while Mercy Aigbe’s supporting-actress nomination comes for Colours of Fire.
Efunroye (The Unicorn) joins Iwe Ala, To Adaego With Love, Colours of Fire, Suky, The Herd, Cordelia, The Creek and Oversabi Aunty in the National Film and Video Censors Board Award for Best Nigerian Film.
Why the nominations matter
The Africa Movie Academy Awards were founded by Peace Anyiam-Osigwe in 2005 and are run through the Africa Film Academy. The organisation says its objectives include promoting African film, uniting the continent through cinema and developing young filmmakers.
This year’s nominations make that continental purpose visible. The leading titles come from Uganda and Kenya, Nigeria has a deep field across headline and craft categories, and productions from Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire and South Africa remain central to the major contests. The diaspora categories extend the frame further, with nominated work connected to the United States, Guadeloupe and other communities beyond the continent.
For audiences, the shortlist is also a practical guide to films and filmmakers that may otherwise struggle for equal attention in a crowded global market. For the industry, the spread of nominations offers a measure of where new creative momentum is building and which technical disciplines are gaining recognition.
The winners will be announced at the 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony on 15 November. Readers can follow the official AMAA channels for event updates and return to Podium News for continuing coverage of African film, culture and the creative industries.
