Reviews
‘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 […]
‘Blood Sisters’ Season 2 Review: EbonyLife’s Netflix Thriller Expands Its World of Excess, for Better and Worse
In a rare Nigerian series continuation on Netflix, Blood Sisters returns four years after its first season in 2022, picking up directly from the Ademola family shooting. While Uncle B (Ramsey Nouah) dies from the […]
‘MKO’ Review: Ose Oyamendan Revisits the Wound of June 12 and Nigeria’s Greatest Political What-If (Sheffield DocFest 2026)
Hope, they say, is a very, very stubborn thing. It survives military coups. It survives broken promises. It survives politicians campaigning the language of change and turning around to enforce the language of power just […]
‘Call Of My Life’ Review: Uzoamaka Power Dials into the Nigerian Romcom Canon with Heart and Familiarity
The definition of a romcom is a well-documented and defined concept, parameters are often rigid and the story must follow a formula: hot boy plus beautiful girl plus almost fantastical meeting equals forever after. Dammy […]
News
Ifedoyin Igbasan Launches Mystery Film Screening Experience with After Credits Club in Lagos
A new independent film screening programme is adding a new twist to existing alternative screening experiences. After Credits Club will present three mystery short films to audiences in Lagos from October, with the titles kept […]
Nollywood Distilled: The Stories That Mattered This Week
Dear Ajayi returns from Venice with two awards, Apple TV officially arrives in Nigeria, Cinema Day announces its 2026 edition, MultiChoice refreshes DStv and GOtv, Ikenga becomes the highest-grossing Igbo-language film, and more in this week’s edition of Nollywood Distilled.
Nile Entertainment Maps Out Diverse October Slate With Five Nigerian Releases
Faith, history, politics, cross country romance and alternate futures all have one thing in common this October in Nile Entertainment. Led by Moses Babatope, the two-year-old company is preparing for one of its busiest months […]
Damilola Orimogunje’s ‘Dear Ajayi’ Begins Limited Cinema Release in Select Nigerian Theaters
Damilola Orimogunje’s Dear Ajayi begins a limited cinema release in Nigeria today, September 18, following its historic world premiere at the Giornate degli Autori parallel section during the 2026 Venice International Film Festival. The film […]
‘Daddy Bear’, Co-Directed By Korede Azeez and Hajarat Alli and Produced By Fuchi Nwaturuocha Enters Post-Production, Eyes 2026 Release
Following a recent report of the Africa No Filter initiative with Korede Azeez, Fuchi Nwaturuocha, and Hajarat Alli on Daddy Bear, What Kept Me Up can confirm that principal photography has now wrapped on the […]
Kamo State, Mama Deola Bring Their Creator Brands to Film This September
This September, two new films led by figures who made their names in the Nigerian content creator space will make their way from social media skits to producing and starring in their own film projects. […]
‘Boys Like Us’ Wraps Season 2 Shooting, Sets Sights on 2026 Return
Kamisi Adebisi’s Boys Like Us has wrapped principal photography on its second season, with the six-episode series expected to premiere on YouTube later this year. Season 2 will continue the story of the four young […]
Nollywood Distilled: The Stories That Mattered This Week
This week on Nollywood Distilled, Nigerian cinema continues to expand its global reach while the business at home shows no signs of slowing down. From another major international festival showcase and market opportunities at TIFF […]
Essays
Ifedoyin Igbasan Launches Mystery Film Screening Experience with After Credits Club in Lagos
A new independent film screening programme is adding a new twist to existing alternative screening experiences. After Credits Club will present three mystery short films to audiences in Lagos from October, with the titles kept […]
‘UNO: The F in Family’ Review: Nkem Owoh and Jennifer Eliogu Carry Everyone’s Weight in a Dysfunctional Family Affair
Ebuka Njoku came onto the scene with his feature debut, Yahoo+, a social commentary film on the internet fraud ritualist phenomenon. It’s a film with an intriguing subject matter that faltered with execution. His latest […]
‘Japa’ Review: Time Loop Comedy That Never Arrives Despite Brilliant Premise
Japa (stylized as Japa!) is Isioma Osaje’s debut film. It simultaneously conveys every Nigerian’s most pressing desire and nightmare, which is to leave the country but be unable to. Produced by Inkblot and released directly […]
‘Aburo’ Review: Maleek Sanni and Darasimi Nadi Shine in Inspiring Sports Drama
When Jade Osiberu introduced us to the raw talent that is Maleek of the Ikorodu Bois fame in Gangs of Lagos (2023), it was his impressive performance as a conflicted street teen that immediately endeared […]
‘Water and Garri’ Review: Tiwa Savage is the Lead Artiste in Meji Alabi’s Polished Music Video
In Water and Garri, Tiwa Savage finds her first lead role in the film industry. Written by Comfort Emmanuel and directed by Meji Alabi, Water and Garri was shot in Cape Coast, Ghana. The film […]
‘Breath of Life’ Bags 5 AMVCA Awards (Full 2024 Winners List)
The much-anticipated celebratory tenth edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards was held on May 11, 2024, at the Eko Hotel and Suites Lagos. Hosted by perennial moderator IK Osakioduwa, the ceremony brought a […]
