Three Nigerian filmmakers have been nominated for Best Debut Feature Film by a Director at the 22nd Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA). Two of the three are also nominated for Best Director, while their films compete for Best Film. The nominations were announced on Saturday, 17 October 2026.
Nwamaka Chikezie’s To Adaego With Love received 11 nominations, making it Nollywood’s most-nominated film this year; Daniel Etim-Effiong’s The Herd follows with 10 nominations, and Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s Her Daughters’ Mother has one nomination in the debut category. Together, the three films by Nigeria’s debut-director nominees earned 22 nominations.
Of the ten nominated in the debut category, three entries represent Nigeria, the highest number for any country. South Africa has two nominees: Meekaaeel Adam for The Trek and Pheello Makosholo for Ben Made It, while Uganda, Kenya, Ghana, Zimbabwe and Canada have one each.
Beyond that, the debut directors shine in other categories. Seven of the nine Best Director Nominees also appear in the debut category, and their films occupy seven of the nine Best Film slots.
Chikezie and Etim-Effiong are represented across all three categories. Their films, To Adaego With Love and The Herd, are nominated for Best Film, while both filmmakers are competing for Best Director and Best Debut Feature Film by a Director. Etim-Effiong is also nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Herd.
To Adaego With Love had already received recognition before the AMAA nominations. The film premiered at AFRIFF 2025, where it won Best Feature Film and Best Screenplay. Chikezie later won Best Feature Director and Best First-Time Director at the 2026 Directors Guild of Nigeria Awards. Chisom Agoawuike is also nominated for Best Actress in a Leading Role for her performance in the film.
Uganda’s Slum Bomber and Kenya’s One Woman, One Bra lead the overall nominations with 14 each. Directed by Vincho Nchogu, One Woman, One Bra premiered at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival. The film won the Sutherland Award for Best First Feature at the BFI London Film Festival. It is also Kenya’s submission for Best International Feature at the 99th Academy Awards.
South Africa’s The Trek previously won the Special Jury Award at Fantasporto.
Founded in 2005 by Peace Anyaim-Osigwe and presented by the African Film Academy, AMAA recognises achievements in African and International cinema.
Last year, none of Nigeria’s three nominees in the debut category was also nominated for Best Director. This year, two of the three are.
The winners will be announced on November 15, 2026, at Lagos Marriot.
