As the 2026 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) holds on Saturday, veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has explained why some actors and films did not make this year’s nomination list.
Silva, who leads the judging panel for the 12th edition of the awards, made this known in an earlier interview while speaking on the credibility of the AMVCA process.
The comment comes after debates followed the release of the nomination list, with some film lovers questioning why certain actors and productions were left out.
Speaking exclusively with Guardian Life, Silva said the non-voting categories were judged by professionals who understood film, craft and performance.
“Well, there’s the panel of judges, people who are highly skilled, and they are people who understand film,” she said.
She said the voting categories remained in the hands of the audience, while the non-voting categories were based on skill and craft.
“I did say in my speech that the awards, for the non-voting category, are not necessarily a popularity contest. It is more about craft. It is more about skill,” she added.
On the criticism that often follows award nominations in Nollywood, Silva said awards could be subjective, adding that entries were graded by judges before the final list emerged.
“Well, 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 that, as much as possible, it is an aggregation of marks, because every film is graded.
“Hopefully, the prayer is always: may the best man win.
“Now, there are some projects that I know of that even I was alarmed that they did not get a nod, not one nod. And yet, you see the quality of work, and you are like, but this is….
“But it depends on the aggregate of scores that work got,” she said.
Silva also said an award-winning performance goes beyond acting well, noting that the actor must fully become the character.
“It is how far, how much you have become the character. It is the becoming of the character. It is in the believability of the character.
“You believe the character so much that you portray the character in such a way that those watching you believe it.
“They are talking of the character more than they are talking of you,” she said.
She added that such performances were not easy to achieve, especially within the tight production timelines common in Nollywood.
The 2026 AMVCA is scheduled to hold on Saturday, with actors, filmmakers, producers and other industry players expected to attend.
