The 11th edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) was a triumphant moment for East Africa as Showmax Original Untying Kantai clinched the coveted Best Writing TV Series award, underscoring the region’s growing influence in African television storytelling.
Held at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites in Lagos, the ceremony celebrated the finest in African film and TV. Untying Kantai, a 13-part dramedy directed by Phillip Karanja and written by Abel Mutua, was lauded for its compelling narrative, standout performances, and high production value.
Reacting to the win, Karanja, of Phil It Productions, expressed pride in the creative team behind the show. “What an honour to see Untying Kantai take home the award for Best Scripted TV Show,” he said. “This win is a testament to what happens when vision meets collaboration. Huge shoutout to Africa Magic and Showmax for championing African stories and giving us a stage to shine on.”
Abel Mutua, the show’s lead writer, echoed the sentiment, dedicating the win to storytellers across Africa. “This is a win for every dreamer, every writer, every creative grinding to tell our stories with truth and heart,” he said. “To the entire Untying Kantai cast and crew, thank you for the magic. To the fans, this one’s for you!”
Untying Kantai follows the story of Kantai (played by Benson Ojuwa), who stumbles upon a lucrative but illegal business venture and becomes entangled in a world of danger and deception. The series features a stellar cast including Kalasha Award winner Pascal Tokodi, Blessing Lung’aho, Silayio, Sanchez Ombasa, Francis Ouma, Keith Chuaga, Andrew Muthure, Mercy Mutisya, Dennis Mugo, and Mary Mwikali.
Adding to their success, Phil It Productions also won the Best Indigenous Language Film (East Africa) award for their 2024 film Makosa Ni Yangu.
Showmax’s impact on the AMVCAs extended further with a nomination for the Kenyan sci-fi series Subterranea by Brian Munene and Likarion Wainaina in the Best Indigenous M-Net Original category.
Since its inception in 2013, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards have become a premier platform recognizing excellence in African entertainment. This year’s edition placed Kenya in the spotlight, reaffirming its place as a powerhouse in the continent’s film and TV landscape.