Category: Movies/TV

Africa’s biggest night in film and television is officially underway.

The 12th Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCA) has opened submissions, inviting filmmakers and TV creators across the continent to submit eligible projects released in 2025. If your work made waves on cinema screens, television, or streaming platforms last year, this is your moment to step forward.

From breakout performances to technical brilliance and bold storytelling, the AMVCA remains the most influential platform celebrating African screen excellence  and the race for 2026 has begun.

Submission Timeline

• Entries Open: 11 January 2026
• Entries Close: 15 February 2026
• Eligibility Period: Projects must have been publicly screened or broadcast between 1 January and 31 December 2025
• Official Portal: www.africamagic.tv/amvca

Now in its 12th edition, the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards has grown beyond an awards show into a cultural institution. Powered by Africa Magic and MultiChoice, the AMVCA has helped shape careers, spotlight emerging talent, and push African film and television into global conversations.

This year’s edition continues its commitment to inclusivity, with expanded Indigenous Language categories that now fully accommodate works from North and Central Africa, reinforcing the AMVCA’s pan-African vision.

Eligible entries include:

• Feature films
• Television series
• Made-for-TV movies
• Select documentary projects

After submissions close on 15 February 2026, entries will be reviewed by the AMVCA jury panel, followed by public voting in selected categories. Nominees will be announced ahead of the highly anticipated 2026 AMVCA ceremony in Lagos, Nigeria, where Africa’s finest screen talents will take centre stage.

Submission link: www.africamagic.tv/amvca

James Gunn’s Superman has officially entered the 2026 Academy Awards conversation.

According to a newly released list published by Variety, Superman is among 201 films that are eligible for nomination in the Best Picture category at the 98th Academy Awards. While eligibility does not guarantee a nomination, the film’s inclusion confirms that it has met all of the Academy’s strict Best Picture qualification requirements for the 2025 awards year.

The Academy’s Best Picture eligibility rules go beyond a standard Oscar qualification. For Superman to appear on this list, it had to satisfy multiple layers of criteria, not just its release date.

1. Release Within the 2025 Awards Year

Superman was released in July 2025, placing it firmly within the Academy’s eligibility window of January 1 to December 31, 2025.

2. Required Theatrical Qualification

The film completed the Academy’s mandatory paid theatrical run, which includes:

• A minimum one-week run in a qualifying U.S. market
• A feature-length runtime (over 40 minutes)

This is the baseline requirement for Oscar consideration.

3. Expanded Theatrical Run for Best Picture

Best Picture contenders face stricter rules than other categories. Eligible films must play:

• At least seven days
• In 10 of the top 50 U.S. theatrical markets
• Within 45 days of their initial release

Superman meeting this threshold confirms it had a sufficiently wide theatrical footprint, not just a limited awards run.

4. Compliance With the Academy’s Representation and Inclusion Standards

Since recent award cycles, Best Picture eligibility also requires films to:

• Submit the Academy’s RAISE (Representation and Inclusion Standards Entry) form
• Meet at least two of four inclusion standards, covering areas such as:
  
  • On-screen representation
  • Creative leadership and crew composition
  • Industry access and opportunities
  • Marketing and distribution teams

Films that do not submit or meet these standards are excluded from Best Picture consideration, even if they qualify theatrically.

Oscar nominations for the 2026 ceremony are expected to be announced later this month.

James Gunn’s Superman has officially advanced to the BAFTA 2026 Special Visual Effects longlist, marking a major early recognition for the film ahead of the upcoming awards season.

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) confirmed that Superman is one of 10 films selected from a total of 71 submissions in the Special Visual Effects category. The longlist was determined by members of BAFTA’s SVFX chapter, made up of industry professionals working across visual effects and post-production.

Full BAFTA Special Visual Effects Longlist (2026)

The films advancing to the longlist are:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash
• F1
• Frankenstein
• How to Train Your Dragon
• Jurassic World Rebirth
• The Lost Bus
• Mickey 17
• Superman
• Tron: Ares
• Wicked: For Good

Making the BAFTA VFX longlist is a significant milestone. The selection indicates that Superman’s visual effects work has already been evaluated and endorsed by professionals within the VFX industry, rather than general voters or critics.

Unlike popularity based awards or fan-driven recognition, BAFTA’s VFX category is assessed primarily on technical execution, innovation, and craft. For Superman, this places the film in early contention among some of the most visually ambitious studio projects of the year.

The longlist places Superman alongside major franchise and effects-driven films, including:

• Avatar: Fire and Ash, the latest installment in James Cameron’s visually groundbreaking series
• Tron: Ares, a film built around digital environments and stylized effects
• Jurassic World Rebirth, continuing the effects-heavy dinosaur franchise
• Wicked: For Good, a large-scale musical adaptation with extensive CGI requirements

BAFTA’s Voting Process Explained

According to BAFTA, the process unfolds in stages:

1. SVFX chapter members vote to determine the longlist and subsequent nominations.
2. From the longlist, a smaller group of films will be selected as official nominees.
3. In the final round, all film-voting BAFTA members vote to determine the category winner.

Historically, most films that secure nominations emerge from the longlist, making this step a crucial gateway rather than a symbolic mention.

Superman is the first major theatrical release under the new DC Studios leadership, with James Gunn also serving as co-head of the studio. While plot details and audience reception remain unknown, the BAFTA recognition suggests that the film’s technical and visual foundations are already being taken seriously within the industry.

While BAFTA recognition does not guarantee success at other awards ceremonies, the BAFTA VFX longlist often overlaps with later Oscar consideration in the Best Visual Effects category. Films that perform well at BAFTA frequently remain in the broader awards conversation as the season progresses.

Advancing to BAFTA’s Special Visual Effects longlist is a notable early achievement for Superman. In a field narrowed down from 71 submissions to just 10 films, the selection reflects industry-level confidence in the film’s visual work and technical ambition.

The Directors Guild of America (DGA) has officially announced the nominees for the 78th Annual DGA Awards, spotlighting the most outstanding directing achievements in theatrical feature films released in 2025.

Often regarded as one of the strongest indicators of the Academy Awards’ Best Director race, the DGA nominations once again bring together a mix of industry veterans and bold new voices shaping contemporary cinema.

The winners will be revealed on February 7, 2026, at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

Below is the complete nominees list for the theatrical feature film categories.

Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film — 2026 DGA Awards

This category honors directors for exceptional achievement in feature-length films intended for theatrical release.

Nominees:

• Paul Thomas Anderson — One Battle After Another
• Ryan Coogler — Sinners
• Guillermo del Toro — Frankenstein
• Josh Safdie — Marty Supreme
• Chloé Zhao — Hamnet

The lineup reflects a wide creative spectrum from literary adaptations and gothic reimaginings to character driven dramas and auteur-led visions. Multiple nominees are previous DGA and Academy Award winners, further heightening the prestige of this year’s race.

Michael Apted Award for First-Time Theatrical Feature Film Director

Named in honor of the late director Michael Apted, this category recognizes exceptional debut feature film directors making their first major impact in cinema.

Nominees:

• Hasan Hadi — The President’s Cake
• Harry Lighton — Pillion
• Charlie Polinger — The Plague
• Alex Russell — Lurker
• Eva Victor — Sorry, Baby

This category continues the DGA’s tradition of highlighting emerging filmmakers whose first works demonstrate strong artistic voice, originality, and narrative ambition.

The DGA Awards are widely considered one of the most reliable predictors of the Oscar Best Director winner. Historically, DGA winners have gone on to secure Academy Awards in the same category in a majority of cases.

When Are the Winners Announced?

• Event: 78th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards
• Date: February 7, 2026
• Location: Beverly Hilton, Los Angeles

The Television Academy has officially announced the creation of a new honor,  the Legacy Award aimed at recognizing television series that have made a profound and lasting cultural impact long after their original broadcast runs.

The announcement marks the Academy’s first major new award category in nearly two decades, underscoring a growing effort to formally acknowledge television shows whose influence extends beyond ratings, awards seasons, and initial critical reception.

According to the Television Academy, the Legacy Award will celebrate iconic television series that have demonstrated sustained relevance, cultural significance, and influence across generations. The focus is not on a single season or performance, but on the enduring footprint a show leaves on television history, pop culture, and storytelling.

Academy Chair Cris Abrego described the award as a way to honor programming that has helped define eras of television and continues to resonate with audiences years after its debut .

Eligibility Criteria Explained

To qualify for the Legacy Award, a television series must meet specific eligibility requirements set by the Academy:

• The show must have aired at least 60 episodes
• It must span a minimum of five seasons
• The series must demonstrate long-term cultural, social, or industry impact
• Multi-series franchises will be considered as a single body of work, rather than individual titles

This framework positions the Legacy Award as distinct from competitive Emmy categories, which typically focus on annual achievements.

The selection process will be overseen by the Academy’s Special Awards Committee, formerly known as the Governors Award committee. This body will compile a shortlist of potential honorees before submitting recommendations to the Television Academy Board of Governors, which will vote on the final recipients .

Recipients of the Legacy Award will receive an engraved Emmy statuette, with presentations expected to take place at select Academy events, including the Creative Arts Emmys or other official ceremonies.

The Legacy Award becomes the Academy’s most significant addition since the launch of the Television Academy Honors in 2007, which spotlighted socially conscious programming. Unlike that initiative, however, the Legacy Award is explicitly tied to longevity and cultural endurance, not just thematic relevance.

The 32nd annual Actor Awards, formerly known as the Screen Actors Guild Awards has unveiled its complete list of nominations on January 7, 2026, signaling the first major awards announcement of the season. The nominees reflect the strongest performances of 2025 across film and television, as voted on by members of SAG-AFTRA. The ceremony is set to stream live on Netflix on March 1, 2026, and will feature actor Harrison Ford as this year’s Life Achievement honoree. 

Film Categories

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

• Timothée Chalamet — Marty Supreme
• Leonardo DiCaprio — One Battle After Another
• Ethan Hawke — Blue Moon
• Michael B. Jordan — Sinners
• Jesse Plemons — Bugonia 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

• Jessie Buckley — Hamnet
• Rose Byrne — If I Had Legs I’d Kick You
• Kate Hudson — Song Sung Blue
• Chase Infiniti — One Battle After Another
• Emma Stone — Bugonia 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

• Miles Caton — Sinners
• Benicio Del Toro — One Battle After Another
• Jacob Elordi — Frankenstein
• Paul Mescal — Hamnet
• Sean Penn — One Battle After Another 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

• Odessa A’Zion — Marty Supreme
• Ariana Grande — Wicked: For Good
• Amy Madigan — Weapons
• Wunmi Mosaku — Sinners
• Teyana Taylor — One Battle After Another 

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

• Frankenstein
• Hamnet
• Marty Supreme
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners 

Television Categories – Full Nominees

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

• Claire Danes — The Beast in Me
• Erin Doherty — Adolescence
• Sarah Snook — All Her Fault
• Christine Tremarco — Adolescence
• Michelle Williams — Dying For Sex 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series

• Jason Bateman — Black Rabbit
• Owen Cooper — Adolescence
• Stephen Graham — Adolescence
• Charlie Hunnam — Monster: The Ed Gein Story
• Matthew Rhys — The Beast in Me 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

• Kathryn Hahn — The Studio
• Catherine O’Hara — The Studio
• Jenna Ortega — Wednesday
• Jean Smart — Hacks
• Kristen Wiig — Palm Royale 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

• Ike Barinholtz — The Studio
• Adam Brody — Nobody Wants This
• Ted Danson — A Man on the Inside
• Seth Rogen — The Studio
• Martin Short — Only Murders in the Building 

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

• Britt Lower — Severance
• Parker Posey — The White Lotus
• Keri Russell — The Diplomat
• Rhea Seehorn — Pluribus
• Aimee Lou Wood — The White Lotus 

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

• Sterling K. Brown — Paradise
• Billy Crudup — The Morning Show
• Walton Goggins — The White Lotus
• Gary Oldman — Slow Horses
• Noah Wyle — The Pitt 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

• The Diplomat
• Landman
• The Pitt
• Severance
• The White Lotus 

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

• Abbott Elementary
• The Bear
• Hacks
• Only Murders in the Building
• The Studio 

Stunt Ensemble Categories

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

• F1
• Frankenstein
• Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
• One Battle After Another
• Sinners 

Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series

• Andor
• Landman
• The Last of Us
• Squid Game
• Stranger Things 

Life Achievement Award

• Harrison Ford — Honored for lifetime contributions to film and television.  

Key Season Dates

• Nomination Announcement: January 7, 2026
• Live Voting Opens: January 14, 2026
• Final Voting Deadline: February 27, 2026
• 32nd Actor Awards Ceremony: March 1, 2026 (streaming on Netflix) 

Anime fans are officially heading back into the world of cursed energy. Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3 is set to premiere tomorrow, launching with a one-hour special that combines the first two episodes of the new season.

The announcement confirms the long-awaited return of one of the most successful anime franchises of the last decade, following the intense and critically acclaimed events of the Shibuya Incident arc.

Produced by MAPPA, Jujutsu Kaisen has grown into a global phenomenon since its debut, earning praise for its animation quality, emotional weight, and high-stakes storytelling. Season 2, which aired in 2023, pushed the series to new heights with darker themes and large-scale character consequences.

Season 3 continues directly from that point, adapting the Culling Game arc, one of the most complex and action-heavy sections of Gege Akutami’s original manga.

Instead of a standard single-episode launch, Season 3 will debut with two episodes released back-to-back, forming a one-hour premiere event. This approach is increasingly used for high-profile anime returns, allowing the story to establish momentum immediately rather than easing in gradually.

After the premiere, the series is expected to return to a weekly episode release schedule.

While avoiding spoilers, the Culling Game arc marks a significant shift in Jujutsu Kaisen’s structure and scale. The story expands beyond familiar battle formats, introducing a high-risk system that forces characters into morally complex situations with lasting consequences.

Its adaptation has been highly anticipated, especially given MAPPA’s reputation for elevating action sequences through cinematic animation and choreography.

Season 3 will air on Japanese television and stream internationally via Crunchyroll, continuing the platform’s role as the primary global distributor for the series outside Asia. Subtitled episodes will be available shortly after broadcast, with dubbed versions expected later.

The Animation Guild (TAG), IATSE Local 839, has recorded a series of significant organizing victories after workers at Netflix Animation, DreamWorks Animation, and NBCUniversal’s Ted television series voted to unionize.

The successful votes expanded the guild’s representation across streaming animation, remote production teams, and television production, marking another major step in the ongoing labor rebalancing within Hollywood’s animation sector.

Feature production workers at Netflix Animation voted in favor of joining The Animation Guild following a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) election.

The vote brings Netflix’s animation production staff under union representation, granting workers the right to collectively bargain for standardized pay, benefits, working hours, and job protections. The result reflects growing efforts by animation workers at streaming platforms to secure conditions comparable to those at traditional studios.

In a separate but equally notable result, remote production workers at DreamWorks Animation also voted to unionize with TAG.

The DreamWorks vote is particularly significant because it covers workers operating remotely across multiple U.S. locations, reinforcing the guild’s position that union protections should apply regardless of physical workplace. As remote work becomes increasingly common in animation production, the outcome establishes a precedent for organizing beyond studio campuses.

A smaller group of production workers on NBCUniversal’s Ted television series voted to unionize with The Animation Guild and the Editors Guild (IATSE Local 700).

The decision highlights a broader organizing push that includes production roles alongside artists and animators, reflecting the expanding scope of unionization efforts within animation-adjacent work.

With the elections concluded, the affected companies are legally required to recognize the union and begin collective bargaining. While the votes do not result in immediate changes to wages or contracts, they provide workers with formal representation and negotiating power moving forward.

The Animation Guild has described the wins as part of a wider effort to adapt labor protections to the realities of modern animation production, particularly in the streaming era.

The results come amid ongoing changes in Hollywood’s labor landscape, as workers across film, television, and animation push for clearer standards in pay, job security, and working conditions.

For streaming platforms like Netflix and established studios like DreamWorks, the votes signal a continued shift toward greater union presence in areas that were previously less organized.

Fans of the high action-comedy franchise Rush Hour have a reason to celebrate. Reports suggest that Rush Hour 4 is gearing up for production, with filming expected to begin in the first half of 2026. The latest installment of the franchise is reportedly planning to shoot across multiple international locations, including China, Africa, and Saudi Arabia.

The film, which follows the legendary partnership of Jackie Chan and Chris Tucker, has been in development for several years. While official confirmations from Paramount Pictures and the lead stars are still pending, industry insiders indicate that pre-production efforts are now moving forward, signaling a potential return to theaters in the near future.

Global Filming Locations

China remains a key location, honoring the franchise’s roots and Jackie Chan’s iconic presence. Africa is reportedly included in the storyline, with speculation pointing to sequences that may involve wildlife or action-driven plotlines. Saudi Arabia also appears on the list, likely reflecting both scenic backdrops and recent trends in international film production partnerships.

Timeline and Release

Though exact filming dates and the final release schedule are not yet officially announced, reports suggest production could kick off as early as spring or summer 2026. If the timeline holds, fans might see Rush Hour 4 hitting theaters by 2027, keeping the series relevant for both longtime followers and a new generation of viewers.

WWE has officially partnered with Netflix in a non-exclusive deal that brings its historic content library to the streaming platform in the United States. The deal, effective immediately, allows Netflix subscribers to access WWE’s archive of premium live events held before September 2025, including some of the most iconic shows in wrestling history.

What’s Included in the Netflix Library

Under the agreement, Netflix subscribers in the U.S. can stream all WWE premium live events prior to September 2025, such as:

• WrestleMania
• SummerSlam
• Royal Rumble
• Survivor Series
• Other major WWE pay-per-view events

In addition to the live event archive, the deal covers WWE documentaries and other library programming, giving fans access to decades of historic matches, storylines, and behind-the-scenes content.

The deal is non-exclusive, meaning WWE retains the rights to license its content to other platforms. This approach allows WWE to expand its reach while still leveraging Netflix’s U.S. subscriber base.

For fans, this deal is a significant upgrade in accessibility. Longtime followers and new viewers alike can now stream classic WWE events on-demand without subscribing to separate wrestling platforms.