Reviews
‘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 […]
Nollywoodweek 2026: Ema Edosio’s ‘When Nigeria Happens’ Review
Nollywoodweek: In the final scene of When Nigeria Happens, we see how submission has been tortured into Fagbo as he mindlessly marches with a group of men, shorn of his former locs and despair sat […]
NollywoodWeek 2026: Laju Iren’s ‘Onobiren’ Review
NollywoodWeek: Nollywood has drawn sustained criticism for its reductive portrayals of women. This tendency emerges from a convergence of socio-cultural frameworks—particularly established patriarchal norms—and external narrative inheritances traceable to Classical Hollywood Cinema, privileging archetypal characterization […]
Nollywoodweek 2026: Thomas Letellier’s ‘Batwing Unmasked’ Review (Documentary)
Nollywoodweek: There is a familiar thrill that runs through Batwing Unmasked. Not the thrill of a recognition of a hero (Africa has had many, and visual and comic artist Loyiso Mkize highlights Ororo as an […]
News
Canal+ and Anakle’s Flying Whale Build 10-Film Television Partnership
Canal+ has partnered with Nigerian production company Flying Whale, a production label within Anakle Films, on a slate of ten made-for-television films as the French company expands its African content strategy following its acquisition of […]
Homi TV Adds Nigerian Short Film ‘Ekún Ìyàwó’ to Its African Streaming Catalogue
Homi TV has licensed the Nigerian short film Ekún Ìyàwó: A Tale of a Runaway Bride for global streaming, adding another Nigerian production to its growing catalogue of African films. The 12-minute romance drama, written, […]
Exclusive: Big Cabal Media Sets July 25 Return for ‘Zikoko Life’ Second Edition, Reveals First-Look
Almost exactly a year after debuting Zikoko Life, Big Cabal Media has unveiled the anthology’s second edition (as stylized), which will begin rolling out on YouTube from July 25. Alongside the announcement, What Kept Me Up can exclusively reveal first-look stills from the three new films.
CJ Obasi is Busy AF: Every Announced Project From The Nigerian Filmmaker
“On your marks.” Three words C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi needed to accompany his announcement of The Boy Who Runs, his latest project based on the life of Ugandan Olympian Julius Achon. While the caption referenced the […]
Rixel Studios’ ‘Black Market’ to Attempt Guinness World Record with 50,000-Person Film Screening at Tafawa Balewa Square
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 […]
Amartei Armar’s Ghana-France Feature ‘Ego Reach We All’ Set for World Premiere at Locarno
Ghanaian filmmaker Amartei Armar‘s feature film Ego Reach We All (Our Time Will Come), formerly known as Vagabonds, has been selected for the Concorso Cineasti del Presente competition at the 79th Locarno Film Festival, where […]
Golden Mhinutes Pictures’ ‘Idia’ Scores 4 TINFF 2026 Nominations, Including an Acting Nod for Linda Osifo
Golden Mhinutes Pictures’ supernatural thriller Idia has secured four nominations ahead of the 2026 Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF), which will take place from September 4–12, 2026. The film earned 4 nominations including Best […]
The Critics Company’s ‘Crocodile’ Selected for Locarno Open Doors 2026 as AFP Critics Prize Returns
The Critics Company’s documentary Crocodile has been selected for the Open Doors Screenings section of the 79th edition of the Locarno Film Festival, continuing the festival run for the Nigerian film collective’s project. This year’s […]
Essays
‘The Return of Omotara Johnson’ and Nollywood’s Legacy Characters (and Franchises)
Hollywood has never really stopped (won’t stop) revisiting its own history. Old films get remade, franchises return years after they seem finished, and familiar characters find new audiences through sequels, reboots, and spin-offs. Franchises like […]
‘No Way Through’ Review: Casualties Pile Up in this Drug-Fuelled Prime Video Crime Thriller
In crime thrillers, an occurrence that consistently intrigues me is when the protagonist, presented with an opportunity for revenge, delays the kill for a triumphant speech. Unfortunately, this often grants the enemy an additional chance […]
The Contradictory Beauty of ‘Breath of Life’, According to Nollywood Film Club
Nollywood Film Club is a diverse haven for criticism, ideas, and global discourse of Nigerian films. Hosted by Iroko Critic on Twitter (now known as X), the weekly Twitter Space conversation unfolds every Sunday at […]
Top 10 Highest-Grossing Nollywood Films Of All Time
What makes a film a box office hit? Nigerian filmmakers have been trying to solve this puzzle since the colonial 1920s, with projects that straddle the line between widespread popularity and critical acclaim. Using the […]
‘Malaika’ Review: Toyin Abraham-Led Infertility and Parenthood Drama Can’t Stand on Baby Steps
Malaika, directed by Steve Sodiya, blends traditional Yoruba theatre and New Nollywood to deliver an average movie with social commentary. The movie revolves around Tutu (Toyin Abraham Ajeyemi), a successful yet hot-headed woman grappling with […]
‘Breath of Life’ Claims Top Prime Video Spot in 11 Countries, Number 1 in Nigeria and Ghana
In a remarkable achievement, the inspirational film Breath of Life has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide, claiming the top spot on Prime Video’s charts across 11 countries since its historic release on December 15 […]
