Black Market, the upcoming crime drama from Rixel Studios, is looking to make history with an attempt to set a Guinness World Record for the largest simultaneous film audience. On September 26, the filmmakers hope to gather 50,000 people at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, for a one-night screening to coincide with the premiere of the film.
The record Black Market hopes to surpass has stood for nearly 11 years. It was set on October 4, 2015, when 43,624 people gathered at the Philippine Arena in Ciudad de Victoria, Philippines, for the premiere of the biographical film of Filipino religious leader Felix Manalo. Organised by Iglesia Ni Cristo in partnership with VIVA Films, the event earned Guinness World Records titles for the largest attendance at a film screening and the largest audience at a film premiere.
Rixel’s Black Market, set against the backdrop of fuel scarcity and rising economic hardship, follows five market women who secretly run a cross-border fuel smuggling operation. Their business runs with military precision until a rival abducts the daughter of one of the women, Adesua, forcing the group into a desperate fight to protect both their livelihood and their bond.
Directed by Fatimah Binta Gimsay (who shares writing credits with Abdul Tijani Ahmed), the film stars Linda Ejiofor, Omowunmi Dada, Scarlet Gomez, Susan Pwajok, Lateef Adedimeji, Teniola Aladese, Ibrahim Yekini (Itele d’Icon), Andrew Yaw Bunting, Kanaga Jnr, Taye Arimoro, Shamz Garuba, Uzor Arukwe, Folagade Banks and Tomiwa Tegbe.
The production team is made up of Nora Awolowo and Nicole Ofoegbu with co-production by Omowunmi Dada and Tijani Ahmed, while Awolowo (Rixel), Dada (Signet Ring), Susan Pwajok, Mike Afolarin, Kene Okwuosa (FilmOne) and Ladun Awobokun (FilmOne) are credited as executive producers.
According to the official campaign, the screening event to be handled by Damilola Osikoya’s Switch Visuals, is designed as more than a film premiere. Alongside the record attempt, ticket buyers will be entered into raffle draws. Tickets are priced at 2,000 naira for regular admission and 50,000 naira for premium access.
Black Market, which wrapped filming in May 2026, is produced by Rixel Studios in collaboration with FilmOne Studios and Signet Ring Studios (Evi). Awolowo’s Rixel Studios made its theatrical debut with Red Circle in 2025 (distributed by Nile), becoming one of the year’s notable Nollywood releases.
The project marks Gimsay’s directorial feature debut. She is mostly known for short films like Ijo, Laraba and Balarabe, Fine Girl, and Omozi as well as writing credits on television shows like Battleground, Riona and feature films such Funke Akindele’s Finding Me and Lowkey Adults. Earlier this year, Fine Girl, Ijo and Laraba and Balarabe became the first short films to premiere on Kava.
More recently, Gimsay and Awolowo unveiled a first look at two short film projects, Binta is Okay and Monday With Demilade, for Double C Media.
Black Market is scheduled for theatrical release on October 2, 2026, distributed by FilmOne.
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