AMC 2026 Finalists
William Lamptey (Ghana)
William Lamptey is a Ghanaian actor known for his standout role as Flex in the hit TV series YOLO and his award-winning performance in the short film Gem. He starred in RSM on DStv’s Akwaaba Magic, earning a 2023 AMVCA nomination. A regular on Ghana’s National Theatre stage, William was Awarded Best Comedy Theatre Act of the year by Ghana Comedy Awards and was also nominated as Best Supporting actor in a Drama series at The 14th Ghana Movie awards. He recently starred in the Hit comedy feature film The Fisherman which premiered at the 81st Venice film festival in Venice, Italy. He is widely known as “The Greatest Showman” for his magnetic performances
William Lamptey (Benin)
Idayatou Ibrahim is a 28-year-old Beninese actress, screenwriter, and director passionate about storytelling rooted in human emotion and social realities. She is known for her role as Émilie in the series Apparences, aired on Marodi TV International and A+ Bénin. Her acting credits include Au-delà d’une liberté by Mohammed Ahed Bensouda, as well as Pile ou Face, Silence Bruyant, and Braquage à la Béninoise. She has also appeared in productions such as Mami Wata and Accroche. A finalist in the Africa Monologue Challenge, she continues to refine her craft on an international stage. In 2024, she wrote and directed Les Mots du Silence, a short film addressing domestic violence, currently in post-production. She also co-wrote 3 Cold Dishes, produced by Burna Boy, and has contributed to several film and series projects across West Africa, including collaborations with Kunle Afolayan and Christian Sonderegger. Fluent in French, Fon, Goun, and English, Idayatou creates authentic, culturally grounded stories with global relevance, aiming to amplify underrepresented voices through film.
Angafor Emmanuel Azaweh (Cameroon)
Angafor Emmanuel Azaweh was born on May 27 2002 in Bambui Fondom of the North West Region of Cameroon. He is the first born of four children to the Azaweh’s Family. The 23 year old started his primary school education in St.Peters Primary School Bambui and had his First School Living Certificate at Government Bilingual School Nkwen Bamenda. He acquired his Ordinary and Advanced Level
Certificates at St. Paul’s Comprehensive College Nkwen. He is currently in his final year of studies in the University of Bamenda where he reading Accounting & Finance Angafor got into film and theatre arts in 2022 with his performance in the theatre play titled “HER” where we featured in theatre for the very first time. He has gone on to perform in several short films, feature film, TV series and he just got a role in the to be produced feature film to be directed by Collywood’s Eystien Young Dingha. Angafor is currently the head of communications at Noble Arts Entertainment Company. He is a founding member of the G-zero Social Media Marketing Agency.
Monie Kengue Lekoundzou (Congo)
Monie Kengue Lekoundzou, popularly known as Monie Lek, is an award-winning actress and stunt performer born in Paris, France, to a Congolese father and a Ghanaian-Congolese mother. Raised between Paris and Brazzaville, she began her career in sports, excelling in fencing, gymnastics, and dance, and later became a professional handball player. She gained recognition as the only female member of the hip-hop crew I DANCE, winning national and international competitions, including the 2012 Francophonie Games. After studying acting at the International Film School of Paris, she launched her film career and became a prominent figure in the Congolese film industry, earning the nickname “The Flying Girl” after a standout performance at the All African Games. Now based in Ghana, she is a graduate of MK Acting College and works as both an actress and professional stunt performer, continuing to expand her career internationally.
Douglas Mwenda Nyaga (Kenya)
Douglas Mwenda Nyaga (11 May 1998) is a Kenyan stage, television and film actor based in Nairobi,Kenya. He has featured in Kenyan productions. In theatre, he has worked with several Theatre productions
including; Son of Man Theatre Productions-plays he has acted in(1.’In Sickness and in Health’ as Dr Kimani.The play was part of the Kenya International Theatre Festival 2024. 2. Loose ends as Ray.) Friends Next Door Theatre Production( 1.What’s the harm as Mike. 2. The last stroke as Kabu.) Galaxy players(1. I may destroy you as Frank. 2. Heaven can wait as Kirimi.) Made of Gold as Jasper. He has also worked in a TV commercial for M co-op Cash as a butchery guy and in Stinger Feature Film as Ezekiel. He has been featured on the Salem TV series season 2 as Akilla on Maisha Magic Plus and Showmax. He has recently been featured in Shanga series as Python season 1 and 2 on Maisha magic plus. Mwenda has also starred in several short films and student films including a few productions with Kenya Institute of Mass communication. Mwenda Nyaga has a Bachelors degree in (Drama and Theatre studies) with IT from Maseno University. He has been part of a few acting workshops including Melissa Kiplagat acting masterclass organised by the Kenya Actor’s Guild, Caroline ‘Coach’ Odongo and Esther Kamba acting workshop. He is also a professional drummer and has played the drums for a few artists including Mel Baron and Stacy Osanjo. He was also the Maseno varsity band drummer( 2017-2019). He also plays the guitar and speaks a little French.
Tory Thompson Eseoghene (Nigeria)
Tory Thompson Eseoghene is a 26-year-old Nigerian actress from Warri, Delta State, known for her versatility and strong screen presence. She trained at Ebony Life Academy, earning a certification in scriptwriting in 2024, and gained industry experience through the reality show Being in Nollywood.
She has appeared in films such as Four in a Jotter, A Prince’s Choice, In Love with Trouble, and Hearts and Chains, showcasing her ability to take on diverse roles.
Beyond acting, Tory enjoys singing and cooking, and is skilled at mimicking accents, which enhances her performances. She is focused on growing her career and telling impactful stories in Nollywood and beyond.
Lise Seynabou (Senegal)
Lise Seynabou is a 23-year-old Franco-Senegalese artist dedicated to promoting African cultures through performing arts, cinema, and creative expression. She holds a degree in audiovisual cinema from Sorbonne Nouvelle University in Paris and is currently training in theatre and on-camera acting at Cours Florent. In 2025, she was selected among the top 20 finalists of the Africa Monologue Challenge, a prestigious pan-African competition focused on performance and storytelling.A multidisciplinary artist, Lise also practices music and painting, using these forms to explore her dual African and European identity. Her work reflects themes of emotion, memory, and cultural heritage, creating a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Through her art and performances, she aims to represent Senegalese stories and contribute to the global recognition of African culture.
Melane Hamman (South Africa)
Melane Hamman is a passionate South African actress with experience in theatre, television, film, and commercial work. After matriculating, she studied Drama and Theatre Arts at the University of the Free State, specializing in film during her third year. She completed her degree in 2019 and earned a certificate in TV and Film Production from PAS Media Academy in 2021. She works as a freelance actress while actively pursuing her dreams in the entertainment industry. Her stage experience includes lead and supporting roles in productions such as My Children! My Africa! (Isabel, Ngcambu Productions), Woelige Willemien en Haar Maatjie Meraaitjie (Koningin Gertruida), The Making (Umenzo), Pietie en Kosie: Die Towerstaf Dief, As We Wait (Marianka), and more—many of which were showcased at local theatres, Art
Festivals and schools. On screen, she played the lead role of Gianna in Repercussions (2025), a feature film funded by the National Film and Video Foundation. Additional screen credits include Thanks for Lunch (2025), Payslip (2024), The Wrong Interview (2023). In 2024, she appeared in her first commercial for Mzansi Bet, portraying Penelope, an enthusiastic MMA fan. Outside of acting, she is currently a facilitator in an NVFV-funded training programme that empowers youth with free film-making education. She also works with a travelling comedy show behind the scenes. Dedicated to growth, she takes ongoing singing and stunt training lessons to broaden her range and prepare for future opportunities in musicals and action
roles.
Jennifer Boamah (US)
An up-and-coming actress with a fire that burns brightest under the spotlight, Jennifer Boamah
brings both heart and discipline to every role she embodies. Born and raised in Bronx, NY, a
former high school Valedictorian, she began her formal training at American Musical &
Dramatic Academy -NY, where she immersed herself in the stage through a series of dynamic
performances. She went on to earn her BFA from CUNY–City College in 2023, continuing to
sharpen her craft with grace, grit, and gratitude. Each experience—on stage or on tape—has been
a lesson in humility and growth, and her love for storytelling pulses through every character she
inhabits. Every role is a rebirth, every audition a chance to tell the truth—and she meets them all
with soul, precision, and quiet fire. Her performances don’t just entertain—they echo.
Sara Loba (Côte d’Ivoire)
Sara Loba, also known as Sara La Meteick or Ladybug, is a content creator, entrepreneur, and artist from Divo, Côte d’Ivoire. Passionate about storytelling and emotional expression, she uses her voice and stage presence to deliver powerful messages.
She was a finalist in Season 3 of the Africa Monologue Challenge, representing a new generation of African artists proud of their culture and committed to positive change.
Alongside her artistic career, she is the founder of Lob’s Glow, a brand focused on fashion, beauty, and self-expression, with a mission to empower African women. Charismatic and driven, Sara Loba is an emerging voice in the Ivorian creative scene.