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Demi Banwo & Tobi Bakre Star In Boxing Drama “The Other Side Of The Bridge”; April 17th Dated For Theatre Release

The Story⚡

A former teenage boxing champion steps back into the ring for a high-stakes tournament to save his trainer’s gym. On the other side stands an opponent fighting for far more than victory. Their clash in the Titan Tournament brings together two men from opposite ends of the city in a story of rivalry, survival, and the ties that form under pressure.

Tell Me More

The Other Side of the Bridge is a Nigerian feature film set entirely in Lagos. It follows Femi, played by Demi Banwo, a fighter who returns to competition with something to prove rather than a prize to chase. His opponent, Farooq, played by Tobi Bakre, faces the bout as a matter of literal survival. The narrative unfolds against the real geography of Lagos, where the bridge separates the Island from the Mainland, reflecting everyday contrasts in opportunity, loyalty, and daily life.

Director Fiyin Gambo helms the project, which was co-written by Tamara Aihie and Emil Garuba. Demi Banwo also serves as a producer alongside Tolu Lord Tanner (Awobiyi) under Lordtanner Studios, with additional production support from Depth and Optics Productions and co-producer Mr. Adetoro. The team spent four years bringing the story to screen, emphasising authentic details: training sequences drawn from the routines of athletes without luxury facilities, on-location shooting across the city, and match scenes that avoid stylised shortcuts.

The ensemble cast includes Ireti Doyle, Olarotimi Fakunle, Gbubemi Ejeye, Teniola Aladese, Mike Afolarin, Seun Ajayi, Awe Ayobami, Lasisi Elenu (Nosa Afolabi), Chisom Mbonu Ezeoke, Njoku Udoka, and others. Supporting roles feature William Benson, Femi Branch, and additional performers who round out the ring-side and city scenes. The film explores how sport can both highlight divisions and create unexpected connections, using the boxing ring as a neutral ground where personal stakes intersect with broader city realities.

Filming took place on actual Lagos locations, allowing the city’s bridges, streets, and gyms to function as active parts of the narrative rather than a backdrop.

The film made its official festival debut at AFRIFF 2024 in Lagos, screening on 4 November at The Palms. It became an instant highlight because it delivered the first major Nigerian boxing drama audiences had been waiting for. Viewers gave it a strong reception, applauding the raw, unpolished ring action that finally showed what boxing in Nigeria actually looks like, no glamour, just real sweat and stakes.
Demi Banwo later explained that the authenticity came from more than six months of serious training alongside Tobi Bakre, and that commitment clearly landed with the crowd. The high-stakes Titan Tournament storyline, set against the Island-Mainland divide, turned the screening into the talk of the festival.

In Summary

The Other Side of the Bridge reaches cinemas nationwide on April 17, 2026.

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