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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
Melon House-Produced ‘Adanne’ to Begin Festival Run with AAIFF Rwanda and Women of the Lens Festival London
Melon House’s debut feature Adanne, directed by Orobosa Ikponmwen, is set to begin its festival run with selections at the All African Independent Film Festival (AAIFF) in Kigali, Rwanda, and the Women of the Lens […]
Wande Thomas’ ‘Spiraling’ Selected for Silicon Valley African Film Festival 2026
Wande Thomas’ Spiraling has been selected for the 17th Silicon Valley African Film Festival (SVAFF), where it will screen alongside seven other Nigerian films in the festival’s 2026 programme. Spiraling, a 133-minute thriller drama, follows […]
Essays
How West African Filmmakers Are Approaching Street-Set Films
“Street ti take over.” A Nigerian slang that has become one of the infamous expressions of contemporary Nigerian pop culture. It suggests that the street is no longer a place at the edges of society. […]
Movies and TV Shows Available in Nigeria in October 2023
All confirmed to be available in Nigeria in October 2023, you will find the titles in four categories, further listed in order of their release dates:– Nollywood Movies (and some African countries)– Nollywood TV shows […]
‘A Weekend To Forget’ Review: Inkblot’s Surprise Murder Mystery Feat is one to Remember
The murder mystery genre has not been a strong suit of Nollywood filmmakers. Most of them, especially the mainstream releases, are characterised by wishy-washy and overly straightforward plots. But A Weekend to Forget is a […]
The Cast and Director of ‘Charlie and the Boys’ Speak to What Kept Me Up Ahead of The Premiere of The Heist Thriller
The much-anticipated heist thriller Charlie and The Boys directed by Sele Got is set to premiere in Nigerian cinemas on September 29, 2023. Starring veteran actor Kanayo O. Kanayo, along with Tina Mba, Seun Ajayi, […]
‘Kanaani’ Review: Passionate Love and Human Trafficking Horrors Intertwined in Riveting Drama
Human trafficking is one of the pervasive evils that has persisted throughout the history of mankind. It has been propagated using several methods, taking several forms as the times changed. History shows that slavery has […]
Highest Rated Nollywood Netflix Originals, According To IMDb
Recent years have seen a notable rise in the number of Nigerian originals on Netflix. From creative endeavors put forward by veteran filmmakers to releases by newer players in the industry, these original movies and […]
