On November 3 “Adire”, starring Kehinde Bankole in the lead role, is scheduled to have its theatrical debut in Nigerian theatres, marking an important turning point in the nation’s film industry. A young fashion entrepreneur who has changed from a prior life as a sex worker is the focus of the film, which is set in modern times but has a nostalgic, “vintage” Nigerian vibe. Her story explores the stress brought on by the collision of her adventurous past and the difficulties she is currently facing, which is made worse by the critical viewpoint of a clergyman’s wife.
Kehinde Bankole, Femi Branch, Tomi Ojo, Damilola Ogunsi, Kelechi Udegbe, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Ibrahim Chatta, Yemi Blaq, Yvonne Jegede, Lizzy Jay, Mike Afolarin, Onyinye Odokoro, Layi Wasabi, and Ifeanyi Kalu are among the film’s strong ensemble cast. On November 3rd, “Adire” will be released, and it is believed that it will perform well at the box office. The exploration of complex subjects in the movie and its stellar ensemble cast imply that it will make an important contribution to Nigeria’s film industry.
There was a private screening for the original drama feature “Adire,” which was made by FilmOne Studios. This exclusive screening served as a pre-release occasion, giving viewers a preview of the movie before its November 3rd official cinema release.
A private screening is often a special occasion where a small group of people or invitees, who may include business people, critics, or influencers, are given the chance to watch the movie beforehand. Such screenings serve to build interest and expectation for the film among a certain audience.
Before the movie is shown to the wider public, these private screenings frequently give the filmmakers the chance to get insightful comments, create an early buzz, and spread good word of mouth. People who attend such events might be encouraged to submit their opinions and reviews, which would add to the excitement and intrigue around the movie.
In the case of “Adire,” the private screening event was probably a crucial stage in its marketing and promotion, ensuring that it attracted interest and received a favourable response before its official cinema release on November 3. This tactic is frequently used in the film business to create excitement and a sense of exclusivity around a new picture.
About FilmOne Studios
FilmOne Studios is a well-known production business with its headquarters in Nigeria, known for crafting and delivering gripping tales that are deeply entrenched in African culture. FilmOne Studios is committed to creating material that appeals to both local and international audiences. FilmOne Studios is a member of the prestigious Filmhouse Group, a top media entertainment corporation with its headquarters in Lagos, Nigeria.
The studio is actively involved in the production of a wide range of popular, commercial films with both foreign and native language material. They have developed strategic alliances and relationships with foreign studios, production companies, sales representatives, and distributors, both locally and internationally.
Notably, FilmOne Entertainment, with a sizeable 75% market share as of 2022, holds the greatest portion of the West African theatrical distribution market. They have also established themselves as NETFLIX, the largest online TV network in the world’s principal source of African content. This notable partnership, which spans multiple titles and years, has been continuing strong since 2017.
In addition, FilmOne Entertainment has cultivated connections with additional significant foreign content consumers including Amazon and Showmax, particularly for streaming platforms. Additionally, they have agreements in place with more than 20 international airlines, guaranteeing that their material is seen by viewers all around the world. This thorough approach highlights their dedication to both the regional film business and the larger global media scene.
However, fans can’t wait and are really excited to see ‘Adire’ next month as this is FilmOne Studio’s first Original Feature film.
“Londoner” is an autobiographical film that tells the story of Ayo, a Nigerian bank manager who moves to London to reunite with his family. The film, written and directed by Babatunde Apalowo, recently achieved recognition at the Durban FilmMart. It won the Red Sea Film Fund Award for Best Fiction Feature. This prestigious award came with a cash prize of $5,000.
The Durban FilmMart Institute, which organized the event, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting both local and international trade and investment in African film content. This institute plays a crucial role in showcasing and supporting African filmmakers and their projects.
Babatunde Apalowo, the creative force behind “Londoner,” is a Nigerian film director and screenwriter who has made the United Kingdom his base. His portfolio includes several notable works such as “A Place for Happiness,” “Catcher,” “The Millions,” and “Death for Sale.” Apalowo’s talent received international recognition in 2023 when he won the Teddy Award at the Berlin Film Festival for his queer romance film titled “All the Colours of the World Are Between Black and White.”
The 15th edition of the Durban FilmMart, held in South Africa from July 19 to July 22, served as a platform for numerous impressive film projects from across the African continent. It was during this event that “Londoner” received its accolade.
Babatunde Apalowo
Produced by Pamela Drameh and Sarudzayi Marufu, “Londoner” goes into the complex emotions of its protagonist, Ayo. The film follows Ayo’s journey as he arrives in London, expecting to join his family, only to face an unexpected and heartbreaking situation. He discovers that his wife has become emotionally involved with another man and is seeking a divorce, adding a layer of personal turmoil to his already challenging experience of relocating to a new country.
The narrative of “Londoner” draws inspiration from Apalowo’s own experiences as an immigrant in the UK.
The director’s struggle to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land forms the emotional core of the film. In an interview with Variety, Apalowo shared his personal insights, highlighting the stark contrast between Nigeria and London in terms of personal space and social interactions. He poignantly described the loneliness he felt in London, a city where the anonymity and indifference of urban life stood in stark contrast to the close-knit communities he was accustomed to in Nigeria.
“Londoner” marks Apalowo’s second venture into feature filmmaking, showcasing his growth as a director and his ability to translate personal experiences into compelling cinematic narratives. The film’s success at the Durban FilmMart not only recognizes Apalowo’s talent but also brings attention to the important themes of migration, cultural adjustment, and personal relationships that the film explores.
The Durban FilmMart also celebrated other talented filmmakers. Among them were Sean Drummond and Sheetal Magan, who received The Known Inner Circle Award for their South African film “Acts of Man.” This award came with a substantial cash prize of $10,000, further demonstrating the event’s commitment to supporting and promoting African cinema.
Renowned Nigerian filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, is actively searching for suitable locations to bring the next season of his series, “Anikulapo: Rise of the Sceptre,” to life. His vision for the series has expanded beyond Nigeria’s borders. He announced plans to film portions of the show in Ghana back in May 2024.
Afolayan recently shared a series of photographs on social media. He documented his exploration of various locations across the West African country. This strategic move signifies the progressive stages of pre-production as he seeks to capture the perfect backdrop for the series.
A pivotal aspect of this ambitious project involves a partnership with Juliet Yaa Asantewa Asante. She is the influential head of Ghana’s National Film Authority. Her expertise and support are instrumental in facilitating this cross-border production and ensuring its success.
“Ghana is calling on the world to come and shoot in Ghana and capture the very beautiful sceneries and facilities Ghana has in their movies,” Asante wrote in an Instagram post to announce Afolayan’s location scouting days ago.
The first season of “Anikulapo: Rise of the Sceptre” was entirely filmed in Nigeria at a film studio Kunle Afolayan owns.
It was in the KAP Film Village in Igbojaye, Oyo State. This massive production involved a cast and crew of 600 people.
The series continues the 2022 Netflix movie, “Anikulapo.” Anikulapo tells the story of Saro, a mysterious stranger who becomes entangled with Queen Arolake. The movie follows their unusual love story.
The series, released in 2024, picks up after the movie’s events. Saro is brought back to life and continues his mysterious ways, while Arolake becomes wealthy but faces new powerful enemies.
The series features a large and talented cast, including well-known actors like Kunle Remi, Bimbo Ademoye, Sola Sobowale, and many others.
The Nigerian box office has seen a shift in leadership this week. The domestic film “What about Us?” directed by Kayode Kasum claims the top spot. This new chart-topper has accumulated an impressive ₦34.7 million since its release, dethroning the Hollywood blockbuster “Bad Boys: Ride or Die“. The latter had dominated the charts since the beginning of the month.
“What about Us?” boasts a star-studded cast featuring Uzor Arukwe, Folu Storms, Kunle Remi, Teniola Aladese, Seyi Awolowo, Marycolette Unamka, and Atlanta Bridget Johnson. The film’s success was particularly notable in its opening weekend. It raked in ₦24 million, according to a report published by the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN) on July 20, 2024.
The report covers the box office performance from July 12 to July 18, 2024.
Also, it reveals a competitive landscape in Nigerian cinemas. “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, now occupies the second position with earnings of ₦33.6 million.
Close on its heels is the Hollywood horror sci-fi “A Quiet Place: Day One,” written and directed by Michael Sarnoski. This film secured the third spot with ₦30.3 million. This brings its total gross to an impressive ₦109.2 million. The Nollywood epic crime thriller “Lakatabu,” helmed by Odunlade Adekola, holds the fourth position with ₦22.1 million for the week. It pushed its total earnings since its June 21, 2024 release to over ₦156 million.
The animated realm continues to perform well. “Despicable Me 4” maintains its fifth-place position. This American animated comedy which Universal Pictures and Illumination produced, added ₦13.8 million to its coffers. With this, it reached a total gross of ₦40 million.
Another strong performer is Biodun Stephen’s “Muri and Ko.” The movie amassed ₦120.4 million since its June 14, 2024 release. It currently sits in sixth place, having earned ₦12.3 million during the week in question. Disney’s “Inside Out 2” follows in seventh place, with weekly earnings of ₦11.5 million and a cumulative gross of ₦68.5 million.
The romantic comedy “Fly Me to the Moon,” secured the eighth spot with ₦8.1 million. Greg Berlanti directed it and Columbia Pictures distributed it.
Rounding out the top ten are two newer releases.
“The Groomsmen,” a romantic drama Ampong Kwaku Kwakye directed and released on July 12, 2024, took ninth place. It grossed ₦6.1 million for the week, bringing its total to ₦6.2 million. Finally, “Voltage,” premiered on July 5, 2024, claimed the tenth position with weekly earnings of ₦2.4 million, contributing to its total gross of ₦8 million.
This diverse mix of domestic and international films, spanning various genres from action and horror to romance and animation, shows the competitive nature of the Nigerian box office.
The success of local productions like “What about Us?” and “Lakatabu” alongside international blockbusters highlights the growing strength and appeal of Nollywood films to Nigerian audiences.
