The 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards held at the Eko Hotel & Suites in Lagos on Saturday was a night of celebration and recognition for outstanding achievements in African film and television. 

However, for Nigerian actress and filmmaker Funke Akindele’s A Tribe of Judah, it was a night of near-misses, as the production lost all of its nominations.

Despite being nominated in multiple categories, including Best Makeup, Best Writing in a Movie, Best Lead Actress, Best Movie, and Best Supporting Actor, A Tribe of Judah failed to take home any awards. 

Feyisayo Oyebisi’s impressive makeup work was surpassed by Campbell Precious’s exceptional work on Mami Wata.

The writing team of Funke Akindele, Collins Okoh, and Akinlabi Ishola were outdone by Tunde Babalola’s masterful script for Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti.

Funke Akindele’s powerful performance was eclipsed by Kehinde Bankole’s captivating role in Adire, which earned her the Best Lead Actress award. 

The movie itself, A Tribe of Judah, which made history by becoming the first Nollywood film to gross N1bn (One Billion Naira) within 21 days of its release, lost to Breath of Life in the Best Movie category. 

Lastly, Timini Egbuson’s supporting role was edged out by Demola Adedoyin’s outstanding performance in Breath of Life.

PUNCH