November has arrived, and the Nollywood film industry is set to dazzle the screens with a range of exciting and engaging Nollywood movies.
As the year approaches its conclusion, Nollywood is continuing to deliver a diverse selection of films. We’ve compiled all the essential information about the upcoming releases this November, so get your calendar ready and start marking those dates!
1. Ifediche
“Ifediche” tells the story of a university-educated young woman from a rural village who chooses to reconnect with her roots in pursuit of her ambitious dreams, which the big city couldn’t fulfil. However, she must overcome unexpected challenges arising from her hometown and the aspirations she holds dear.
Victor Okwuchukwu Onwudiwe and Ben Cassie Sandra directed the movie.
The production team for Ifediche scheduled its official premiere on November 12, 2023, and secured its official release with Blue Pictures Distribution Company in cinemas on November 17, 2023.
2. Adire
“Adire” is an enthralling story written by Jack’enneth Opukeme, focusing on the life of a young female fashion entrepreneur, played by Kehinde Bankole. She grapples with a troubled past as a sex worker and strives to build a new business while facing the consequences.
Directed by Adeoluwa Owu, known as Captain Degzy, the movie features a talented cast, including Femi Branch, Kelechi Udegbe, Funlola Aofiyebi-Raimi, Ibrahim Chatta, Yemi Blaq, Yvonne Jegede, Lizzy Jay,Mike Afolarin, Tomi Ojo, Damilola Ogunsi, Onyinye Odokoro, Ifeanyi Kalu, and Layi Wasabi.
“Adire” had its premiere on Sunday, October 29, 2023, and is scheduled to hit theaters nationwide on November 3, 2023. Don’t miss this captivating story of redemption and transformation.
3. MINEE (Laws of the Street)
“Minee“, created and directed by Richard Omos Iboyi, is a compelling narrative that explores an unfair society where a young woman’s mother becomes a victim of a tragic incident.
The film delves into the dark realm of organ harvesting and trafficking, shedding light on this disturbing practice.
With a talented cast that includes Daniel Etim-Effiong, Ireti Doyle, Segun Arinze, Priscilla Okpara, AyoAdesanya, and Kevin Ikeduba, “Minee” is a crime drama that is sure to engage and captivate its audience.
4. Egun
Up next is “Egun“, a suspenseful story co-written by Kayode Kasum and Dare Olaitan. The plot unfolds in a corporate office, where employees receive an unexpected package containing supernatural juju. A chilling phone call warns them that anyone who views the contents of the box is destined to meet a grim fate.
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Directed by Carmen Ike Okoro, this dark drama features a talented ensemble cast, including Gideon Okeke, Omowunmi Dada, Uzor Arukwe, Femi Jacobs, Bolaji Ogunmola, Adedimeji Lateef, Olarotimi Fakunle, Yekini Ibrahim, Vee Iye, Tomike Adeoye, Darasim Nadi, Ejiro Onajaife, and Taye Arimoro.
Get ready for an unforgettable cinematic experience as “Egun” makes its debut on November 10, 2023, in theatres nationwide. The lingering question is, who will escape the curse? Find out.
5. Praise Party
Written and produced by Anuli Ajagu, “Praise Party“, tells a chilling story about a family gathering that takes a dark and violent turn when a young man meets a tragic fate.
Directed by Obi Martins, the cast features Hadiza Abubakar, Tina Mba, and Kunle Remi. “Praise Party” is a suspenseful tale filled with unexpected twists that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The movie is set to premiere on November 5.
6. Ololade
“Ololade” is a highly anticipated series that recently grabbed headlines for its acquisition by Netflix. This drama, co-written by a team led by Lani Aisida, explores the lives of two friends: Shina (played by Frank Donga), a discontented high school teacher, and Lateef (portrayed by Femi Adebayo-Salami), a boisterous and unscrupulous auto-mechanic.
Mysteriously, their lives take a turn for the better after facing numerous challenges and establishing a thriving business. However, they soon confront the severe consequences of their actions.
Directed by Adeniyi Joseph-Omobulejo, the cast includes Mercy Aigbe, Mide Martins, Liz Da-Silva, JaiyeKuti, Damilola Oni, Frank Donga, Mr. Macaroni, Oluwatobi Olubiyi, Debby Felix, and AyanwaleOlanrewaju.
This culturally rich six-part series will debut on the streaming platform on November 24, 2023.
7. Bank Alert
In “Bank Alert“, with Okey Bakassi in the lead role, the audience can anticipate a comedy-crime feature destined for the big screen.
Directed by Akay Mason, this star-studded cast includes Bolanle Ninalowo, Kate Henshaw, Kanayo O.Kanayo, Taiwo Hassan, Uzor Arukwe, and Tina Mba.
“Bank Alert” is set to hit theatres on November 24, 2023, making it an eagerly awaited cinematic release.
Nollywood actress and director, Omoni Oboli, has announced that her debut series, “Last Year Single,” produced in 2020, will premiere on Netflix on September 6, 2024.
Omoni Oboli embarked on her acting career with her debut role in “Bitter Encounter” (1996). In 2010, she earned recognition for her performances, winning the Best Actress in a Narrative Feature award at the Los Angeles Movie Awards and Best Actress at the Harlem International Film Festival.
Additionally, she received a nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role at the 2011 Africa Movie Academy Awards. Oboli has a notable filmography, including “Moms At War” and the upcoming third instalment of the “Wives on Strike” franchise, “The Uprising: Wives on Strike 3,” set to debut next month.
In an official statement, the talented actor-director confirmed that her romantic drama series, “Last Year Single,” will be available on Netflix starting Friday, September 6, 2024.
“The only thing we are all doing on Friday is grabbing our movie snacks and sitting in front of our TV on Netflix. Because THE HOTTEST SERIES ever is coming LAST YEAR SINGLE This Friday! Exclusive to Netflix.”
The series “Last Year Single” began production in 2020 but encountered delays due to the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by Joy Bewaji and produced by Tomi Adeoye, the show follows the lives of three single women in their 30s as they struggle to find suitable partners while juggling their finances.
The cast includes notable actors such as Bimbo Ademoye, Toni Tones, Abishola Segun Williams, Mawuli Gavor, Kachi Nnochiri, Uzoma Osimkpa, Taye Arimoro, Kabiri Fubara, Chy Nwakama, Anthony Monjaro, and Chamberlyn Okoro, all of whom bring depth and charisma to the story.
The British Film Institute (BFI) has officially selected the Nollywood film “The Weekend“.Daniel Oriahi directed the film. It is to screen at the prestigious 68th edition of its London Film Festival. The BFI Film Festival in London will occur from October 9th to October 20th, 2024.
The lineup for the festival boasts an impressive 255 titles, including features, shorts, series, and immersive works. They represent a diverse range of 80 countries and feature 64 languages.
Following the successful premiere of his new feature film on August 30th, 2024, Oriahi took to Instagram to share the exciting news of The Weekend‘s selection for the BFI Film Festival. The film garnered a remarkable ₦8 million at the box office.
“I am deeply honoured and proud to announce that The Weekend has been officially selected to screen at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, the largest film festival in the UK. This selection comes as The Weekend continues to break box office records for its genre in Nollywood. The Weekend will be showcased in the BFI (LFF) Cult Section alongside some of the most anticipated thrillers and horror films of the fall season. I am equally thrilled to join the ranks of extraordinary new wave Nigerian filmmakers like @kennethgyang @fierycj @abbatmakama @mikegouken @damiorimogunje and @chukoesiri , whose works have graced past editions of this prestigious festival,” he said.
Oriahi began his filmmaking journey by producing and directing Misfit.
This is a psychological horror film, as his debut feature on a limited budget. He has also directed other notable works, including Taxi Driver: Oke Ashewo in 2015 and Sylvia in 2018.
The selection committee for the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival in New York reviewed numerous submissions. They chose Oriahi’s comeback film, The Weekend, for screening at the festival. This selection made The Weekend the only Nollywood film to feature at the international event this year.
The Weekend is a gripping psychological thriller that follows Nikiya Talabi, an orphan girl yearning for family. Nikiya visits her fiancée’s seemingly perfect family, only to uncover their sinister secret. The film boasts a talented cast. This includes Uzoamaka Aniunoh, Bucci Franklin, Meg Otanwa, Keppy Ekpeyong Bassey, Gloria Anozie-Young, and Damilola Ogunsi.
Nollywood actress and producer, Juliet Ibrahim, has explained her decision to release her latest films on YouTube rather than other streaming platforms. She revealed this in a recent interview with TheCable Lifestyle at the Nigeria International Film and TV Summit in Lekki. Juliet revealed that she chose YouTube due to its less demanding requirements.
Unlike platforms like Netflix or Prime, YouTube doesn’t impose strict criteria for equipment, editing, lighting, or crew members. This flexibility allows for a more accessible and inclusive approach to filmmaking.
She said,
“Before you submit to a streaming platform, either Netflix or Prime, you have a list of equipment you must use. There is a criteria for editing, lighting, your crew members, a whole lot of things and that includes a lot of money. That is where I said the funding would now become a problem.”
Speaking further on YouTube’s benefit, Juliet also acknowledged the risk of piracy, saying,
“You see, there is something about being a filmmaker, you make your movie, and you want to own your rights. There is also piracy, so even YouTube is not 100% safe because people still pirate, they would steal your content. However, there is a whole market on YouTube where people make quick and easy money with less stress. Without having to go buy the cinema criteria or streaming platform criteria.”
Juliet Ibrahim also highlighted the importance of reaching diaspora audiences who cannot access cinema content.
“As a filmmaker, you want to have multiple streams of income, and there are people in diaspora who want to watch our content but cannot access our cinema content. Until we can give them good cinema content over there, we can put it on Netflix or YouTube. If Netflix says the content is not good enough for them, we can put it on Showmax or YouTube uploads. A lot of people have different reasons, but most times you have to look at it strategically and also what goes into your pocket,” she added.
