The Story⚡
At an industry gathering in Lagos, a distribution company approaching its fourth year revealed more than upcoming titles. New logos, a talent-and-marketing arm, and a release calendar stretching into 2027 signal a broader ambition.
Tell Me More
Cinemax, the Lagos-based film distributor, used its EXHIBIT C event on Thursday, October 15, to gather media, producers, filmmakers, talent, and cinema partners. The evening served as the stage for a refreshed brand identity, the introduction of a new business unit, and a detailed look at films scheduled through the first quarter of 2027. The company also acknowledged the cinema partners that have supported its releases.
SW Media Steps In
Alongside the new visual identity, Cinemax launched SW Media. This vertical focuses on talent management and film marketing, moving the company beyond pure distribution into representation and promotion for projects and performers.
The Slate: Six Films, Six Genres
The lineup opens with Tele x Zikora on October 23 and runs into the first quarter of 2027. It covers campus romance, mystery, drama, young adult, comedy-drama, and epic.
| Film | Release | Genre | Director |
| Tele x Zikora | October 23, 2026 | Campus romantic drama | Adenike Adebayo-Esho |
| Five Figurines | November 13, 2026 | Mystery drama | Akay Mason |
| Ray of Hope | November 20, 2026 | Drama | Kayode Kasum |
| Somewhere Near Love | January 29, 2027 | Young adult | Gbolahan Gafar |
| Agba Nanny | March 5, 2027 | Comedy drama | Biodun Stephen |
| Eégúnlétí | Q1 2027 | Epic | Yinka Omilani |
Tele x Zikora brings together Genoveva Umeh, Mike Afolarin, Tomi Ojo and Emeka Nwagbaraocha, the same group who appeared as classmates in Netflix’s Far From Home, this time in a story centred on contemporary campus life.
Five Figurines marks Akay Mason’s first feature under his company, Element24Media, and features Bimbo Akintola, Ini Edo, Odunlade Adekola, Ireti Doyle, and Uche Montana.
Ray of Hope is the first feature from Porshe Studios Africa. Set in Lagos’s fashion world and directed by Kayode Kasum, whose earlier film Ajosepo ranked as the third-highest-grossing Nigerian title of 2024.
Somewhere Near Love explores grief, healing and chosen family in Lagos, with Shamz Garuba, Tomi Ojo, Scarlet Gomez and Bimbo Akintola.
Agba Nanny reunites director Biodun Stephen with frequent collaborators Bolaji Ogunmola and Blessing Nze.
Eégúnlétí reworks a 1986 Yoruba classic under Yinka Omilani’s direction, starring Lateef Adedimeji, Omowunmi Dada, Dele Odule, Femi Branch and Yinka Quadri.
Co-Productions on the Horizon
Cinemax also confirmed three major co-productions planned for 2027 involving Mercy Aigbe, Wumi Toriola and Daniel Etim. Titles and further details will follow once the projects are locked.
Context for the Releases
The company’s 2024 title Queen Lateefah recorded strong non-holiday and non-December opening-weekend figures. The new slate arrives as Nigerian cinemas posted a record ₦15.6 billion in 2025, with Nollywood claiming the largest share of box-office revenue for the first time.
In Summary
With Tele x Zikora arriving in cinemas on October 23, followed by Five Figurines and Ray of Hope in November, Cinemax has laid out a clear path that extends well beyond distribution. New branding, a talent-and-marketing division, forthcoming co-productions, and a varied slate from campus stories to Yoruba epic mark a measured expansion of the company’s role in the industry.
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