Reviews
‘Tele x Zikora’ Review: A University Romance Whose Greatest Strength Lies in the Future of Its Ensemble Cast
In Tele X Zikora, there is an awareness of the beats that make a romance film work. The first meeting, the push and pull, the moment of interest, the conflict and the resolution. It shows […]
Film Africa 2026: Damilola Orimogunje’s ‘Dear Ajayi’ Roughly Examines Women’s Demands of Duty and the Desire for Freedom
Film Africa: History has always been unkind to women, and Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi understands this, albeit in an overstated way. In his sophomore outing, which follows two estranged sisters “forced” to live together while […]
‘Black Market’ Review: Fatimah Binta Gimsay’s Feature Debut is a Very Nigerian Film for a Very Nigerian Situation
September 26, 2026 gave Nigerian cinema two occasions to celebrate. The first was Nigerian Cinema Day, with audiences filling cinemas nationwide for a limited slate of films after FilmOne, the leading distributor, reportedly pulled out. […]
‘Alahun: The Weaver’ Review: Dare Olaitan’s Long-Awaited Epic Adventure Return Takes Too Long to Get Going
Dare Olaitan returns to the director’s chair with Alahun: The Weaver, a Yoruba epic adventure filled with spirits, mythical creatures, and an unlikely hero at its centre. The film asks many questions, such as what the measure of a true hero is, and how love can transcend societal limitations.
Locarno Open Doors 2026 Review: ‘Concrete Moves’, ‘Time to Change’, ‘sKINs’, ‘Submergido’ and ‘Goat’
The following five short films screened as part of the 2026 Locarno Open Doors, taking place from August 5-10, 2026. The five directors were also invited to take part in the Open Doors Directors programme. […]
Short Film Review: Adebayo Oduwole’s ‘When Tari Met Voke’ Makes a Familiar Meet-Cute Feel Alive
Few things are better than a romantic comedy that keeps both of its promises. Very few things. (A plate of smoky party jollof, perhaps.) I suspect this, among other reasons, is behind the runaway success […]
‘Remi and Nneoma’ Review: A Nollywood Biblical Retelling Too Devoted to Become Its Own Story
The Bible, like any other text, exists to be adapted and retold. Its stories are constantly updated for language and context. The King James Version for the purists who want little lost, The New International […]
‘On Different Grounds’ Review: Nollywood Veterans Elevate Mildred Okwo’s Uneven Romantic Comedy
A Nigerian wedding party, as much as it is a celebration, is often a power play. A place where influence is tested, alliances are forged and a pecking order is established. There is a clashing […]
News
AFRIFF 2026: Our Recap, Key Takeaways and Globe Awards Winners
The landmark 15th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) ended in Lagos on November 7, after a week of film screenings, industry meetings, masterclasses and other activities. There was a lot to look […]
FIRST LOOK: Tomi Folowosele’s Talents Durban-Developed ‘STAY’ Explores Abiku Mythology; Completes Post-Production (EXCLUSIVE)
Tomi Folowosele has completed post-production on STAY, a supernatural short film drawing on Yoruba cosmology and the mythology of the Abiku. The project was previously selected for development at Talents Durban 2024. The filmmaker has […]
How WKMUp’s Audience Research Became Part of a GIZ and Afreximbank Report
We wanted to understand the Nigerian film audience better. When Motunrayo Ojo and I agreed to conduct an independent survey in early 2025, I had little idea what we would eventually do with the findings. […]
Alternativa Film Festival Heads to Africa in 2027, Opens Submissions With $120,000 Prize Fund
Alternativa Film Festival is heading to Africa for the first time in 2027, with submissions now open for its fourth edition and $120,000 in prize money available to filmmakers across the Global South. The announcement […]
Everything We Know About The New DStv and GOtv Packages in Nigeria
MultiChoice has introduced new DStv and GOtv subscription packages across key African markets as part of a review of the company’s operations following its acquisition by CANAL+, which also affected the partial migration of Showmax […]
TWF Productions Expands Short Film Slate With ‘In The Space of Desire’
TWF Productions has announced its second short film, In the Space of Desire, a drama starring Wumi Tuase-Fosudo, Mike Afolarin and Temilolu Fosudo. Directed by Chukwu Martin, the film explores marriage, fidelity and the boundaries […]
Dika Ofoma’s ‘Tooth’ Selected for Inaugural Locarno and Winterthur African Short Film Programme
Dika Ofoma is adding another title to his growing collection of short films, with his latest project, Tooth, selected for the inaugural Final Cut: New African Shorts.
Nollywood Distilled: The Stories That Mattered This Week
This week on Nollywood Distilled, FilmOne unveiled part of its 2027 cinema slate, Clarissa picked up four Gotham nominations, and MultiChoice announced changes to its pay-TV packages. Elsewhere, Agbara Nla: The Return crossed a major […]
Essays
How WKMUp’s Audience Research Became Part of a GIZ and Afreximbank Report
We wanted to understand the Nigerian film audience better. When Motunrayo Ojo and I agreed to conduct an independent survey in early 2025, I had little idea what we would eventually do with the findings. […]
NollywoodWeek (NOW) Film Festival 2025: ‘Olumotan’ Review (Closing Film)
Olumotan: The Trial of the Storyteller begins with a certain kind of awareness. First, there seems to be a breaking of the fourth wall by the storyteller played by Sola Sobowale, and then a multicultural […]
NollywoodWeek (NOW) Film Festival 2025: ‘Out in The Darkness’ Review
In For Maria: Ebun Pataki (2020), a pediatrician tells new mother Derin, “Babies cry. It’s what they do,” when she questions her infant’s incessant tears. The cries disrupt Derin’s sleep, heighten her panic, and fray […]
NollywoodWeek (NOW Film Festival) 2025: ‘The Fire and The Moth’ Review
In The Fire and The Moth, the western town it is set in is presented with a sweeping calmness. There are gorgeous aerial shots and expert framings that keep the town rested but not docile. […]
NollywoodWeek (NOW) Film Festival 2025: ‘Soft Love’ Review
The South African and Nigerian love story in Soft Love is put into motion once Zandi`’s groom runs away on the morning of their wedding, setting up a tale of romance, friendship and family that […]
NollywoodWeek 2025: ‘The Night of June 7th’ Review
The Apo Six killings of June 7, 2005, will remain a searing wound in Nigeria’s collective psyche—a brutal reminder of police impunity and judicial rot in the country. I first learned about the incident from […]
