Dress made from 500 loaves stuns African film awards Chiamaka EnenduBBC Africa, LagosBBC/GIFT UFUOMAIt is often described as Africa's biggest night in film and fashion.Celebrities, filmmakers and creators arrived at the 12th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers' Choice Awards (AMVCA) in Nigeria with dramatic trains, sculptural gowns, shimmering fabrics and heavily theatrical designs that once again transformed the event from an awards show into a spectacle of style.Held at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos, the annual ceremony celebrates achievements in African film, television and digital storytelling, while also serving as one of the continent's biggest cultural showcases where celebrities compete for being best-dressed, as much as they do for awards.BBC/GIFT UFUOMAActor and event host Simi Drey is draped in starlight, in a dress entirely made from glass designed by OvemsThis year's carpet leaned fully into an excessive display of fashion.Several celebrities walked in with entourages helping carry over-sized outfits through crowds of photographers and screaming fans.Here's a look at some of the most talked-about appearances and moments from the night.The red carpet turns into a bakeryBBC/GIFT UFUOMAQueen Mercy Atang in her dress made of breadReality TV star Queen Mercy Atang arrived in one of the evening's most attention-grabbing looks, a dress made from more than 500 loaves of bread, she said.Surrounded by two maidens carrying trays of bread, several assistants helping carry the outfit across the carpet, Atang struggled to move freely.Speaking to the BBC, she said the outfit was designed to promote her bread-baking business and insisted the appearance was intentional marketing rather than shock value."What other place is better to advertise my business than the AMVCA?" she said.The dress was designed by the iconic Toyin Lawan of Tiannah's Empire, who commented on Instagram that she's beginning a trend of "everyone wear your business". The look immediately became one of the night's biggest social media talking points.Some social media fans hailed the design describing it as "a true definition of carrying your business on the head".However, not all fans were impressed. Some said the display represented a waste of food, a suggestion the reality TV star rejected.Nana Akua Addo arrives dressed like a cathedralBBC/MOBOLAJI OLATUNDEThe dress inspired by Cologne Cathedral in GermanyGhanaian fashion star Nana Akua Addo lived up to her reputation for dramatic AMVCA fashion moments with a silver architectural dress inspired by Cologne Cathedral in Germany.The heavily structured outfit featured hand-painted window-like details, cathedral-shaped extensions and matching silver accessories, while members of her team helped carry sections of the dress.Her designer, Abasswoman, told the BBC the design process began in November 2025 and was only completed two days before the ceremony.According to her team, the outfit was inspired by the famous cathedral's construction, with the dress intended to reflect both grandeur and craftsmanship.Uche Montana embraces fire and rebirthReutersThis fiery ensemble had been in development for monthsNigerian actress Uche Montana arrived in a dramatic red-and-gold-feathered ensemble she described as representing "fire" and "the rising of the phoenix".With red-studded stones wrapped across both hands, the actress told the BBC the look had been in development since the beginning of the year.While refusing to give the exact amount, she said she had spent "a lot" on bringing the look to life, adding that one of the biggest misconceptions around celebrity glamour is that stars are styled entirely for free by brands."A lot of financial and mental work goes into these looks," she said.Her appearance capped off a major night for the actress, who also received the AMVCA Trailblazer Award, a non-voting category recognising rising talents making a strong impact in the industry.Bucci Franklin's emotional win for 'To Kill a Monkey'BBC/ MOBOLAJI OLATUNDEFranklin (pictured) plays a loud, fiercely loyal cybercrime boss in "To Kill a Monkey"Away from the fashion spectacle, one of the night's emotional moments came when actor Bucci Franklin won Best Supporting Actor for his role as "Oboz" in "To Kill a Monkey".Franklin plays a loud, fiercely loyal cybercrime boss whose character is deeply rooted in Benin street identity.
To prepare for the role, he studied Benin influencers, music and dialect details many viewers praised for their realism.The performance resonated strongly with many viewers, particularly in Nigeria's Niger Delta region, because of the character's identity.Speaking to the BBC after his win, Franklin said although the role had no similarities to his real personality, he was glad he accepted it.He dedicated the award to his mother, whom he lost seven days before release of the film."To Kill a Monkey" also won Best Cinematography.Linda Ejiofor makes history with two big awardsIbrahim SuleimanActress Linda Ejiofor made history at the AMVCA12 as the first person to win the best supporting actress and best lead actress Linda Ejiofor emerged as one of the night's biggest winners making history at the AMVCA as the first person to take home both Best Lead Actress for "The Serpent's Gift" and Best Supporting Actress for "The Herd".Speaking after her win, she told the BBC she had hoped to win at least one category, but said her husband had tried to calm her nerves before the ceremony by telling her she could leave with both awards.He turned out to be right.Ejiofor acknowledged her family while reflecting on the wins, describing the moment as deeply emotional saying that her mother went through her Igbo pronunciations helping her refine the language delivery until she felt confident in the role.'My Father's Shadow' wins three awards MUBI"My Father's Shadow" continued its streak of global recognition. It emerged as one of the biggest winners
Extract — continue reading at the source.
