Rwanda continues to make its mark on Africa’s biggest film stage. The Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) — often described as the continent’s most prestigious celebration of cinema — has nominated Rwandan actress Analisa Munyana for Best Actress in a leading role at its 2025 edition.

Munyana, widely known for her beloved role as Mama Sava in the hit TV series Papa Sava, received the nomination for her powerful performance in Mucoma: The Battle of the Couple, a gripping Rwandan drama that has resonated with audiences across Africa.

The 21st edition of the AMAA celebrates outstanding achievements in African and diaspora filmmaking. This year’s nominees were announced on October 11, 2025, at the BON Hotel Ikeja Residence in Lagos, Nigeria, during a ceremony streamed live across the continent.

Analisa Munyana among Africa’s finest

Munyana’s nomination places her alongside some of the most acclaimed actresses in African cinema, including Nigeria’s Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Osas Ighodaro, and Shaffy Bello, South Africa’s Danica De La Ray Jones, Ethiopia’s Getahun Hailu, Uganda’s Florence Mariserena, and Algeria’s Meriem Medjkane.

Her performance in Mucoma has been praised for its emotional depth and authenticity, earning her first AMAA nomination and shining a light on Rwanda’s growing presence in African cinema. Her inclusion in this continental lineup underscores how Rwandan actors are increasingly competing at the highest level.

Reflecting on her nomination, Munyana said, “I honestly can’t even put into words how I feel right now — this means so much to me. I’ve competed in different festivals and competitions before, but this is different. Being recognized at a continental level is such a huge step in my career.”

About Mucoma: The battle of a couple

Munyana’s acclaimed role comes from one of Rwanda’s most talked-about films of the year. Mucoma was written and directed by Mutiganda wa Nkunda, one of Rwanda’s most critically acclaimed filmmakers, and co-produced with ZACU Entertainment.

At its core, Mucoma tells the story of a marriage unraveling under the weight of greed and mistrust. One husband, two children, and a house full of secrets — when the man, determined to keep all family property for himself, refuses to divorce fairly, he devises a deadly plan. But his wife uncovers the truth in time, leading to a tense psychological showdown where survival becomes the ultimate goal.

More than a domestic thriller, the film reflects the darker sides of love, betrayal, and the fight for justice within families. Munyana’s performance captures both vulnerability and defiance, anchoring the film with a quiet yet commanding intensity.

Rwanda’s ongoing rise at AMAA

Rwanda’s growing success at AMAA continues to draw attention across the continent. Beyond national projects, Rwandan filmmakers are also increasingly involved in cross-border productions. Mucoma’s director Mutiganda wa Nkunda contributed as a consulting producer on Uganda’s Small Gods — another 2025 AMAA nominee — while Mucoma producer Shema Faustin co-produced the same film. These collaborations highlight how Rwandan talent is shaping stories beyond its borders. Over the years, several Rwandan productions have earned international recognition through the awards.

In 2019, The Mercy of the Jungle by Joël Karekezi received eight nominations, including major categories such as Best Film and Best Director. That same year, Icyasha by Clémentine Dusabejambo was nominated for the Efere Ozako Award for Best Short Film. Dusabejambo’s earlier short film A Place for Myself also earned an AMAA nomination in 2017.

Munyana’s nomination builds on this strong foundation, signaling that Rwanda’s storytelling and performance talent continue to gain ground on the continental stage.

AMAA 2025: A celebration of African excellence

This year’s nominations were announced by Nigerian film stars Lilian Aluko, Emeka Ossai, Charles Inojie, and Adaora Anyanwu, alongside key dignitaries such as Dr. Shaibu Husseini, Executive Director of the National Film and Video Censors Board, and Steve Ayorinde, a former Lagos commissioner.

Hosted by Nollywood veteran Segun Arinze, the ceremony also featured members of the AMAA board, including Dr. Raymond Anyiam-Osigwe, George Anyiam-Osigwe, Tony Anih, Teco Benson, and Lancelot Imasuen. The event was streamed live across AMAA’s official digital platforms, drawing thousands of viewers from Africa and beyond.


This year, Burkina Faso’s Katanga: Dance of The Scorpions topped the nomination list with ten nods, followed by Nigeria’s Lisabi: The Uprising with seven. Other strong contenders include The Heart is a Muscle (South Africa), Last Stop (Ghana), Small Gods (Uganda), and For Love, For Land, For Power (Ethiopia).


The 21st Africa Movie Academy Awards ceremony is scheduled for November 9, 2025, at the Balmoral Convention Centre Ikeja – Sheraton, Lagos. The event will bring together leading filmmakers, actors, and creatives from across Africa and the diaspora to honor the best in storytelling, artistry, and African identity through film.


About the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA)

Founded in 2005 by the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, the AMAA is one of Africa’s most respected film institutions. It honors excellence among filmmakers across Africa and the diaspora, celebrating stories that define and reshape the African narrative. Over the past two decades, the awards have become a global symbol of African creativity and cinematic excellence.