It’s not December yet, but audiences are already seated for the holiday season lineup. FilmOne’s Exhibitors Showcase teased more information on upcoming December releases from filmmakers who have made the month their signature release window. Each of the upcoming titles featured a presentation in line with the message or storyline of the films alongside brief teasers. Of course, we were strictly prohibited from filming the screenings. Piracy is bad, people.
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Behind The Scenes
Leading the way is Funke Akindele with Behind the Scenes, a drama that shows what goes on behind the spotlight. Produced by Funke Akindele Network with distribution by FilmOne, Akindele stars and co-directs with Tunde Olaoye (who returns after Everybody Loves Jenifa).
Speaking at the FilmOne Exhibitors’ showcase that took place mid-October, Akindele revealed that she had initially planned to make a sequel to A Tribe Called Judah, but ultimately chose Behind the Scenes as the film meant for this moment. Before the showcase, Behind the Scenes had begun promotional posts for the upcoming film with a notable runway-inspired show, which revealed the cast members. They include Funke Akindele, Iyabo Ojo, Tobi Bakre, Ibrahim Chatta, Victoria Adeleye, Scarlet Gomez, Uzor Arukwe, Wanni Danbaki, Hanni Danbaki, Destiny Etiko, Dele Odule, Abeni Balogun Fausat, Uche Montana, Hafeez Oyetoro, Akinyoola Ayoola, Folakemi Babatunde, Ini Dima-Okojie, Fiyinfoluwa Asenuga, and Adebowale Adedayo.
This year, Akindele has been active both on-screen and behind the scenes. Early in 2025, she appeared in the romance film Reel Love, where she plays the mother of the lead character. Akindele released Finding Me on Prime Video. Her last December release, A Tribe Called Judah (2023), broke Nigerian box-office records to become the highest-grossing film in West Africa. Behind the Scenes opens in cinemas on December 12.
Oversabi Aunty
Recall Priscilla Ojo’s royal wedding in April and May, where a clip of Toyin Abraham taking on the role of that overly dramatic aunty at a ceremony, yes, Toyin Abraham takes on that real-life character to the cinemas with Oversabi Aunty, a family drama about a meddlesome aunty and her directorial debut on the big screen. The teaser opens up in a marriage setting with both families from the Yoruba and Igbo cultures. It’s unclear who each character represents in the family tree; however, actors like Queen Nwokoye, Mike Ezuruonye, and Ngozi Ezeonu are at the Igbo side. A quarrel ensues, and the oversabi aunty (Toyin Abraham) calls a character aside to find a solution to the dispute.
So far, the only confirmed crew member is South African cinematographer Jonathan Kovel, whose recent credits include Netflix series The Party. Also starring Tana Adelana, Jemima Osunde, and Efe Irele, Oversabi Aunty is produced by Toyin Abraham Studios in partnership with FilmOne Studios.
In 2025, Abraham continued her dual role as actor and producer. She leads in the historical drama Iyalode (which she also co-produces), released June 2025, in which she plays the warrior queen. Her previous December outings are Alakada Bad and Boujee, and Malaika.
Oversabi Aunty releases on December 19 in cinemas nationwide with advanced screenings on December 18.
Colours of Fire
My Mother is a Witch director Niyi Akinmolayan left audiences with a massive reaction at the first-ever screening of Colours of Fire teaser. The fantasy drama features Osas Ighodaro, Uzor Arukwe, Gabriel Afolayan, Mercy Aigbe and Ibrahim Chatta in a story about two rivals whose affair upends an empire. Barnabas “Barny” Emordi (House of Secrets) is credited as the director of photography of the film produced by Anthill Studios, FilmOne Studios, & Imuetinyan Productions. Colours of Fire will open in cinemas on Christmas Eve.
Akinmolayan has spent much of 2025 working on children’s and fantasy storytelling initiatives through Anthill Studios, including animation workshops and short film showcases, his major directorial outing this year being My Mother is a Witch, starring Mercy Aigbe and Efe Irele. His previous two December releases, Palava! (Inkblot, 2022) and Chief Daddy (EbonyLife, 2018) were projects for other major studios.
This is Not a Nollywood Movie
Another mention is Wale Ojo-directed action comedy This Is Not A Nollywood Movie, produced by Boma Akpore, also releasing this December, on the 5th, ahead of the thick blockbuster season. During the showcase, Wale Ojo introduced the cast, which had a variety of actors from different generations. From veterans like Hanks Anuku, Julius Agwu, as well as Blossom Chukwujekwu, Bimbo Akintola, Olumide Oworu, and Chidi Mokeme.
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