Film director Steve Gukas has congratulated actress Ifeoma Fafunwa on her nomination for the 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA).
The nominations were announced on Sunday night ahead of the awards ceremony scheduled for May 9, in Lagos, Nigeria.
Fafunwa was nominated in the best lead actress category for her role in The Lost Days.
Taking to his Instagram page on Monday, Gukas shared how the casting for her role came about. He wrote, “True Story: When we wanted to cast the role of Chisom in #TheLostDays we wanted an actress with a certain energy and aura. It was a struggle, then someone suggested @ifeomafafunwa. When we sat down with her, she just felt right, like the role was written specifically for her. Her energy was right; she had that certain ‘je ne sais quoi’, and we were willing to do anything to get her to play this role. And boy, did we move mountains.”
He added, “While an acclaimed theatre director, she hadn’t acted before and wasn’t sure she wanted to either – you get the picture? Long story short, we got her to and I am happy to see the industry agrees with us. I am sure the audience does as well. Looking forward to celebrating a win for a massive talent, we are all sure to be celebrating for a long time to come. Huge Congratulations.”
The Lost Days is a drama mystery film about Chisom, a woman who is declared cancer free and sets out to reconnect with the man she once loved and the child she left behind. Hidden truths from her past complicate her journey. The film was released in 2025 and was directed by Wingonia Ikpi, with Steve Gukas among its producers. The cast includes Bimbo Manuel, Baaj Adebule, Durotimi Okutagidi, Onuoha Aderonke and Cynthia Clarke.
Other nominees in the best lead actress category include Linda Ejiofor for The Serpent’s Gift, Bimbo Akintola for To Kill A Monkey, Ariyike Owolagba for Something About The Briggs, Sola Sobowale for Her Excellency, Scarlet Gomez for Behind The Scenes, Genoveva Umeh for The Herd and Gloria Anozie‑Young for Mother of the Brides.
