M-Net and MultiChoice's supposed pan-African 6th 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards on Saturday night remained a decidedly Nigerian-focused affair with the bulk of the category winners from Nigeria and West Africa although Kenya very deservedly cooped the Best Overall Movie category for 2017's 18 Hours from Phoebe Ruguru.
The 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards was once again done as a live broadcast ceremony on M-Net's array of Africa Magic channels on MultiChoice's DStv satellite pay-TV platform throughout sub-Saharan Africa from the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island in Lagos, Nigeria.
It once again had production mistakes and problems, including a red carpet pre-show with bad production values and a returning and still clueless and unprepared Helen Paul, although both broadcasts showed less problems than in the past.
Minnie Dlamini Jones from South Africa returned as the co-host next to the sexist IK Osakioduwa who was also back again with his tiring one-track "lusting after women" schtick that roiled viewers.
Supposed to represent West, East and Southern Africa somewhat "equally", the 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards, produced by M-Net West Africa and always originating from Lagos, Nigeria remains top-heavy with Nigerian category nominees and therefore winners.
East Africa managed to make a better showing on Saturday evening, with 4 Kenyans who managed to win 5 awards for Mark Maina as Best Picture Editor (18 Hours), Phoebe Ruguru winning Best Overall Movie (18 Hours) and Best Movie award in East Africa (18 Hours), Dennis Wanjohi Maina for Best Documentary (The Flesh Business) and Nyce Wanjeri as Best Actress in a comedy and TV series.
Although called "viewers' choice" African viewers can only vote for 7 out of the 27 categories Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards.
In one of the several odd moments from this year's awards ceremony - that also included an out-of-place operatic number with a live orchestra - the former Big Brother Naija contestant, Bisola Aiyeola who couldn't stop screaming on stage, won the Trail Blazer Award.
Here's the complete list of 2018 Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards winners:
Best Sound Editor
Tatu – Kolade Morakinyo and Pius Fatoke
Best Picture Editor
18 Hours – Mark Maina
Best Lighting Designer Movie/TV Series
Tatu – Akpe Ododoru, Tunde Akinniyi
Best Cinematography Movies/TV series
Okafor’s Law – Yinka Edward
Best Costume/Designer Movie or TV Series
The Bridge – Ngozi Obasi and James Bessinone
Best Short Film/Online Video
Penance – Micheal Ama Psalmist’ Akinrogunde
Best Documentary
The Flesh Business – Dennis Wanjohi
Best Make Up Artist Movie/TV Series
Tatu – Thelma Ozy Smith, Hakeem Effect Onilogbo
Best Art Director
Lotanna – Tunji Afolayan
Best Soundtrack Movies/TV Series
Tatu – Evelle
Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series – Swahili
Super Modo – Sarika Hemi Lhakani
Best Indigenous Language Movie or TV Series – Hausa
Mansoor – Ali Nuhu
Best Indigenous Language Movies or TV Series – Yoruba
Etiko Onigedu – Femi Adebayo
Best Indigenous Language Movies or TV Series – Igbo
Bound – Lilian Afegbai
Best TV/Drama/Comedy series
This Is It – Dolapo Adeleke
Best Movie East Africa
18 Hours – Phoebe Ruguru
Best Movie West Africa
Isoken – Jade Osiberu
Best Movie Southern Africa
The Road to Sunrise – Shemu Joyah
Trail Blazer Award
Bisola Aiyeola
Industry Merit Award
Tunde Kelani
Best Writer Movie/TV Series
Alter Ego – Patrick Nnamani/Koye O/Moses Inwang
Best Supporting Actress
Lydia Forson – Isoken
Best Supporting Actor
Falz – New Money
Best Actress in a comedy and TV series
Nyce Wanueri – Auntie Boss
Best Actor in a comedy
Odunlade Adekola – A Million Baby
Best Actress in a Drama/TV Series
Omotola Jalade Ekeinde – Alter Ego
Best Actor in a Drama Series
Adjetey Anang – Keteke
Best Director
Jade Osiberu – Isoken
Best Overall Movie
18 Hours – Phoebe Ruguru
