Joke Silva has defended the AMVCA judging process amid criticism over this year’s nominations and notable omissions

Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva has responded to criticism surrounding the 2026 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards, defending the credibility of the nomination process ahead of Saturday’s ceremony.

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Joke Silva, who chairs the judging panel for the 12th edition of the awards, addressed the growing debate during a recent interview as conversations intensified over notable exclusions from this year’s shortlist.

The actress explained that the non-voting categories are determined strictly by experienced industry professionals with deep knowledge of filmmaking, acting, and technical production.

“There’s a panel of judges, highly skilled individuals who understand film,” she said.

Speaking on the 2026 AMVCA nominations, Silva stressed that some categories are based entirely on merit rather than popularity.

“The non-voting categories are not a popularity contest. They are about craft and skill,” she stated.

The actress acknowledged that award decisions often generate controversy within Nollywood but maintained that the organisers follow a layered and transparent assessment process.

“We have two sets of judges to ensure fairness. Every film is graded, and the final outcome is based on an aggregate of scores,” she explained.

In a candid moment, Silva admitted that even members of the panel were surprised by certain omissions.

“There are projects I was shocked didn’t get a single nod, despite their quality. But ultimately, it comes down to the aggregate scores,” she added.

The actress also shared her perspective on what separates strong performances from award-winning ones, highlighting transformation and authenticity as essential qualities.

“It’s about how fully an actor becomes the character. The believability must be so strong that the audience talks about the character, not the actor,” she noted.

She further observed that achieving such depth remains challenging within Nollywood’s often demanding production schedules.

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The 2026 edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards is expected to gather leading actors, filmmakers, producers, and entertainment stakeholders to celebrate excellence in African film and television.