The Story⚡
AFRIFF 2024 showcased Nollywood’s best, but the industry’s biggest hurdle remains: getting films from festival screens to mainstream audiences.
Despite the buzz, many of this year’s most talked-about titles surprisingly didn’t secure acquisition deals, as many had hoped. Instead, these titles have now set their sights on theatrical releases, opting for the hard way – the only way.
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The Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF) returned for its 13th edition, taking place from November 3rd to 9th, 2024, in Lagos, Nigeria. The festival once again served as a prestigious platform for filmmakers to showcase their work, facilitating opportunities for distribution and acquisition while providing audiences with a diverse selection of compelling narratives.
Last year’s festival featured a variety of films spanning multiple genres, including thrillers, biopics, historical dramas, and action-packed crime thrillers. While some titles made their world premiere, others had previously been screened.
For many filmmakers, getting their films into festivals like AFRIFF is a strategic move, primarily for distribution deals. Festivals offer producers the opportunity to attract potential buyers and secure licensing agreements. However, while AFRIFF has been instrumental in helping many films find homes, not every title achieves this goal immediately.
Notable Nollywood Films at AFRIFF 2024
Several highly anticipated Nollywood films were showcased at AFRIFF 2024. From gripping thrillers to heart-wrenching dramas, here are some standout titles and their current distribution status.
1. Headless
The film follows the gripping story of a morally ambiguous Nollywood producer who is discovered with a decapitated human head in the trunk of his car. As the interrogation unfolds, a deeper investigation exposes the dark and tangled intersections between politics, crime, and the Nigerian film industry. What begins as a shocking discovery soon unravels into a web of corruption, secrecy, and intrigue.
Co-written by Ijeoma Aniebo, Jay Franklyn Jituboh, and Michael Ndiomu, the psychological thriller features a stellar cast, including Gideon Okeke, Uzoamaka Aniunoh, and Segun Arinze. The highly anticipated film had its grand debut as the opening title at AFRIFF 2024, setting the stage for an intense cinematic experience.
Despite its buzz at the festival, Headless has yet to be acquired or licensed by any streaming platform, and no official theatrical release date has been announced. Fans eager to watch the film will have to wait for further updates on its distribution.
2. Phoenix Fury
Directed by Ifeoma Chukwuogo, the film received widespread acclaim following its screening at AFRIFF 2024, where it captivated audiences and critics alike. Its impact was further solidified when it won Best Film at the 13th Globe Awards, cementing its status as a standout title of the festival.
The gripping narrative follows Ifeatu and Ewura-Ama, two women bound by a shared past and driven by an unrelenting quest for vengeance. Their journey unfolds with intensity, weaving themes of justice, betrayal, and retribution into a compelling cinematic experience.
Starring Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Onyinye Odokoro, Ama K. Abebrese, and Richard Mofe-Damijo, among others, the film boasts a stellar ensemble cast. Shot across stunning locations in Nigeria and Ghana, its breathtaking cinematography adds to its visual appeal.
Despite its success at AFRIFF, Phoenix Fury has yet to be acquired by any streaming service, and no official release date has been announced. Fans eager to experience its powerful storytelling will have to wait for further updates on its distribution.
3. Recall
Directed by Kunle Afolayan, the highly anticipated film premiered to an eager audience at AFRIFF 2024, marking another significant milestone in the celebrated filmmaker’s career.
Starring Sharon Ooja, Olarotimi Fakunle, Jimmy Jean-Louis, Bolaji Ogunmola, and other A-list talents, the psychological thriller unravels the gripping tale of Goke and Anita, a couple whose seemingly perfect relationship takes a dark and mysterious turn. As secrets unravel, their trust and love are put to the ultimate test in ways they never expected.
Set to premiere at the Nigerian box office on April 4, 2025, the film is poised to make a strong theatrical debut. However, it remains known whether it will go to any streaming platform after its cinema run.
Notably, this marks Kunle Afolayan’s first theatrical release since October 1, which hit cinemas on October 3, 2014. Fans of his work eagerly await what promises to be another masterful addition to his filmography.
4. Agemo
Written by Omoyele Esther Olayinka and directed by Moshood Abiola Obatula, this gripping film features an impressive cast, including Moji Afolayan Olayiwola, Lawal Aramide, and Raphael Ayara, among other A-list talents.
The story follows Agatha, a corps member who is posted to a seemingly ordinary town—only to discover a horrifying truth: the ritual sacrifice of corps members is a long-standing tradition. As she navigates the eerie and perilous environment, her survival hangs in the balance.
Beyond its screening at AFRIFF 2024, the film has also been showcased at the 2024 ARFF Amsterdam/International Awards and stands as an official nominee at the prestigious Red Movie Awards.
As of now, details regarding its distribution remain undisclosed, leaving audiences eager to learn how and when they will be able to experience this chilling thriller.
5. Out of Breath
Co-written by Obi Emelonye and Ngozi Ideh and directed by Obi Emelonye, Out of Breath served as the closing film at AFRIFF 2024.
The epic drama follows the courageous journey of an Igbo elder who dares to defy a deeply entrenched tradition—one that demands elders be buried alongside their servants. As he challenges this ancient custom, he puts his own life at risk, sparking tension and resistance within his community.
The film boasts a stellar cast, including Chidi Mokeme, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Jide Kene Achufiso, and Echelon Mbaduwe, alongside other notable stars.
Currently, no official announcement has been made regarding its release in cinemas or on any streaming platform, leaving audiences eagerly awaiting its next step.
6. The Man Died
Written by Bode Asiyanbi and directed by Awam Amkpa, The Man Died is a powerful biopic adapted from the harrowing prison memoir of Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka. The film chronicles Soyinka’s time in solitary confinement under a brutal military regime that sought to silence his voice, offering a gripping account of resilience, defiance, and the cost of speaking truth to power.
The film features a stellar cast, including Wale Ojo, Temilolu Fosudo, Segilola Ogidan, Norbert Young, and Abraham Amkpa, among many others.
Before its screening at the 13th AFRIFF, The Man Died premiered in Lagos and London in July 2024 as part of the celebrations marking Soyinka’s 90th birthday. It has since been selected for several prestigious film festivals, including the 14th Luxor African Film Festival (Egypt), the 35th Carthage International Film Festival (Tunisia), the Eastern Nigeria International Film Festival (ENIFF) in Enugu, the African and African Diaspora Film Festival in Costa Rica, the 32nd New York African Film Festival (NYAFF32), and the African Diaspora International Film Festival (ADIFF) in Chicago.
As we have it for now, no official release date has been announced for its general audience debut.
7. The Other Side of the Bridge
Co-written by Tamara Aihie and Emil Garuba and directed by Fiyin Gambo, The Other Side of the Bridge made its debut at the 13th AFRIFF, featuring a compelling cast that includes Tobi Bakre, Demi Banwo, Ireti Doyle, Olarotimi Fakunle, and Teniola Aladese, among others.
This sports drama tells the gripping story of two boxers from opposite sides of Lagos—one from the Island and the other from the Mainland—who must face off in a high-stakes boxing tournament, exploring themes of rivalry, ambition, and the unifying power of sport.
Like many other AFRIFF 2024 titles, no official release date has been announced for either a theatrical run or a streaming platform debut.
8. A Ghetto Love Story
This poignant romantic drama follows the lives of Obinna and Stella, childhood friends whose dreams of a lifelong connection are tested by the harsh realities of life. Written by Basketmouth and Victoria Eze and directed by Daniel Oriahi, the film delivers an emotional and thought-provoking narrative on love, fate, and resilience.
Featuring a stellar cast that includes Basketmouth, Akah Nnani, Beverly Osu, Wale Ojo, Patience Ozokwor, Dibor Adaobi, Chioma Chukwuka Akpotha, and Dorathy Bachor, among others, the film captivated audiences when it premiered at the 13th AFRIFF.
Following its festival debut, the title was released at the Nigerian box office on November 22, 2024, opening with an impressive ₦21.2 million in its first weekend.
9. Freedom Way
Starring Adebowale Adedayo, Mike Afolarin, Bimbo Akintola, Teniola Aladese, and Akin Lewis, Freedom Way weaves together the interconnected lives of a start-up entrepreneur, a motorcyclist, corrupt police officers, a doctor, his fiancée, and her father—a corrupt politician. Written and produced by Blessing Uzzi and marking Afolabi Olalekan’s directorial debut, the action thriller was produced by Bluhouse Studios and received an overwhelmingly positive reception at AFRIFF 2024. Audiences praised its gripping storytelling, with many hailing it as a powerful social commentary on Nigerian society.
Prior to its AFRIFF screening, Freedom Way had its world premiere in the Discovery section of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival on September 7.
However, since its screening in November, there has been no official word on the film’s distribution plans.
It is undeniable that distribution has become increasingly challenging for Nollywood films. A major factor contributing to this is the decision by Netflix and Prime Video to scale back on commissioning and acquiring Nollywood titles. This unfortunate shift poses a significant setback for the Nigerian film industry, restricting the distribution opportunities that producers once relied on.
When comparing AFRIFF 2024 titles with those from 2023, it becomes evident that the previous year may have been more favourable for Nollywood producers. Let’s take a look at some of the films from AFRIFF 2023 and how they eventually found their way to audiences.
Notable Nollywood Films at AFRIFF 2023
1. Áfàméfùnà: An Nwa Boi Story
Written by Adaora Sandra Anyanwu and directed by Kayode Kasum, this compelling film explores the Igbo apprenticeship system in Nigeria. Produced by Olawumi Fajemirokun and Kenechukwu Egbue, the movie boasts a star-studded cast featuring Stan Nze, Kanayo O. Kanayo, Alexx Ekubo, Segun Arinze, and many others.
Following its screening at the 12th AFRIFF, the film was released in Nigerian cinemas in December 2023. After a successful theatrical run, it premiered on Netflix on March 29, 2024, quickly rising to become the number one Nigerian movie on the platform for over three weeks.
2. Breath of Life
The Prime Video original Breath of Life was written and directed by BB Sasore and produced by Eku Edewor. The film tells the heartbreaking story of Mr. Timi, played by Wale Ojo, who is forced to witness the tragic death of his wife and daughter as they burn before his eyes. Overcome with grief, he makes several attempts to take his own life and reunite with his family, but fate refuses to grant him that escape.
Featuring a stellar cast that includes Wale Ojo, Chimezie Imo, Genoveva Umeh, Ademola Adedoyin, Eku Edewor, and Sam Dede, Breath of Life marks the first instalment in a three-part deal between Nemsia Films and Amazon Studios. The film served as the closing title at the 2023 Africa International Film Festival and later won the prestigious Best Movie award at the 2024 Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards.
3. I Do Not Come To You By Chance
The film is an adaptation of Adaobi Tricia Nwaubani’s 2009 novel of the same name. It follows Kingsley, a bright university graduate struggling to find a job despite his intelligence. Weighed down by family responsibilities, he turns to his charismatic uncle, who entangles him in a web of deceit—a choice that alters the course of his life forever.
Co-written by Chika Anadu and Ishaya Bako, and directed by Bako, the film features a stellar cast, including Emeka Nwagbaraocha, Paul Nnadiekwe, Jennifer Eliogu, Francis Duru, Beverly Osu, and many more. In addition to its screening at AFRIFF, it was showcased at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival.
From what we know, the film has been greenlit for local streaming on Netflix and will soon make its global debut on Circuits.
4. This is Lagos
The film is produced by Kenneth Gyang, Tom Rowlands-Rees, and Jide Makinde, with Charles Okpaleke serving as Executive Producer. Adapted from a short story by Crispin Oduobuk-MfonAbasi, the screenplay was further developed by Tom Rowlands-Rees and Kenneth Gyang.
Boasting a star-studded ensemble cast, the movie features Ikechukwu Onunaku, Rahama Sadau, Kate Henshaw, Enyinna Nwigwe, Sani Muazu, David Jones David, Greg Ojefua, Mike Afolarin, and Jibrin Homsuk. It also includes a special appearance by music sensation Jesse Jagz and introduces rising talent Laura Pepple.
The film has been officially licensed for streaming on Netflix.
5. Funmilayo Ransome Kuti
The biopic on the life and legacy of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, the renowned Nigerian activist and mother of Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, was written by Tunde Babalola and directed by Bolanle Austen-Peters. The film premiered at the 12th edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), where it won Best Overall Feature Film and Best Screenplay.
Following its AFRIFF debut, the film hit theatres on May 17, 2024. It is now available for streaming on Prime Video.
In Summary
Compared to AFRIFF 2023, titles from AFRIFF 2024 have struggled to secure acquisitions and distribution deals, limiting their reach to audiences.
This stark contrast highlights the growing challenges filmmakers now face in navigating the ever-evolving distribution landscape. With fewer opportunities for licensing and theatrical runs, the industry is witnessing a concerning gap that could affect the visibility and commercial success of emerging films.
This trend underscores the urgent need for more accessible and sustainable distribution channels to support filmmakers in bringing their stories to a wider audience.
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