Welcome to Nollywood Distilled, WKMUp’s weekly roundup of the developments taking shape within the Nigerian film industry. Piloted on our Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn pages, the series now expands to our website, where we’ll bring together the week’s most relevant and industry-ranging stories in one place, highlighting the events that deserve the closest attention, a form of filter through the noise of a busy and active industry.
This week saw Nigerian cinema increase its international footprint while new distribution deals showed how Nigerian short films can be monetized. From major festival selections to streaming licensing and the latest signs of the year-end theatrical race, these are the developments that stood out across the industry.
Canal+ and Flying Whale Strike 10-Film Television Deal
Anakle Films’ Flying Whale has entered a deal with Canal+ to produce ten television films for the broadcaster, four of which have already been completed and delivered. The partnership emerged after Canal+ took interest in Anakle following the international success of The Black Book. One of the completed titles, Hope for Everybody, screened at NollywoodWeek Paris earlier this year and is scheduled to premiere on television. The agreement adds Flying Whale to Canal+’s network of African production partners as the broadcaster strengthens its position across the continent following its acquisition of MultiChoice. WKMUp first reported the deal.
Dear Ajayi, Clarissa and One Woman One Bra Join Major Festival Line-ups
Nigerian films continued their international festival run this week with selections across Venice, Toronto and Durban. Damilola Orimogunje‘s Dear Ajayi will make its world premiere in competition at Venice Days during the 2026 Venice Film Festival, with FilmOne Entertainment attached as the film’s distributor across West Africa and Italian sales company Luminalia handling world sales. Following its world premiere in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes earlier this year, Arie and Chuko Esiri’s Clarissa has been selected for the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival, where it will receive its North American premiere. Meanwhile, One Woman One Bra, which premiered through Biennale College Cinema at the 2025 Venice Film Festival, has been selected for the Durban International Film Festival.
Homi TV Licenses Ekún Ìyàwó for Streaming Debut
Nigerian streaming platform Homi TV has licensed Moses Ipadeola‘s Ekún Ìyàwó for its streaming debut, adding another independent Nigerian title to its catalogue. The British Council Film Lab short, previously broadcast on television, is available to rent on the platform under a non-exclusive deal. The deal follows a strong festival and awards run for the film, which emerged as the biggest winner at the 2025 FilmJoint Awards.
Nollywood’s December Slate Continues to Take Shape
Marketing campaigns for Nollywood’s year-end releases gathered momentum this week. The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives unveiled behind-the-scenes images and launched its official website ahead of its December theatrical release, while Funke Akindele offered the first tease of her annual holiday release with a director’s chair image from set. Coming several months before the Christmas corridor which more filmmakers are expected to join, the early campaign activity signals the gradual build-up to Nollywood’s busiest release period.
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