In the past few weeks, there has been an increase in discourse around the promotion of Nollywood films, with several social media users stressing the need for producers to incorporate higher levels of promotion with the ultimate aim of securing a theatrical or streaming release as opposed to merely being screened at festivals. The sentiment […]
In the past few weeks, there has been an increase in discourse around the promotion of Nollywood films, with several social media users stressing the need for producers to incorporate higher levels of promotion with the ultimate aim of securing a theatrical or streaming release as opposed to merely being screened at festivals. The sentiment carries the untrue rhetoric that a Nigerian film does not have much merit or deserve critical acclaim if it is not released within the mechanisms of the Nollywood film industry i.e., in cinemas or on streaming platforms. However, this is not necessarily the whole picture.
Although film festivals and screenings are key places for film agents and distributors to approach filmmakers and offer to distribute films which have made an impression on them, there are several widely lauded films that have not gone beyond the festival scene to big screens, for a variety of reasons.
The length of a film, the budget involved, limited distribution channels, the filmmaker’s intended audience and the themes explored might make a filmmaker decide that a film is better suited for festivals than the big screen. This however, does not make such films inferior to big screen releases in any way.
Here are 10 festival films which although not available in theatres or on streaming platforms, are definitely worth the watch:
Phoenix Fury [2024]
A standout at the 13th AFRIFF (Africa International Film Festival), Phoenix Fury earned the awards for Best Film and Best Director. A debut feature from director Ifeoma Chukwuogo, the film tells the story of Ifeatu (Uzoamaka Aniuoh) and Ewura-Ama (Ama K. Abebrese) whose lives are marked with hardships that lead them to seek revenge on Yadi (Richard Mofe-Damijo), the author of their misfortune. The scenes shift uninterrupted between past and present, Nigeria and Ghana and weaving both seamlessly into the story without overpowering it. Historical events run throughout the story, creating a vibrant realism that lends, rather than takes away from the portrayal of the characters and their motivations.
Starring Tomi Ojo as Aunty Fade and Tobi Bakare as Uncle Mahmoud, the film follows 10 year old Momo as her uncle and aunt accompany her on a road trip to the airport for a flight to England at the bequest of her mother. Directed by the award winning Rashida Sariki, the film explores the bond between Fade and Mahmoud, two dreamers who confront social expectations, family pressures and the limitations of their community against the backdrop of Ikorodu in the late 90s. Laced with nostalgic elements, this film offers a peek into the community’s past.
God’s Wife [2024]
A newly widowed mother (Onyinye Odokoro) is caught in a clash between her Catholic faith and her Igbo roots as her late husband’s brother (Uzochukwu Nnnadi) demands that she leave her marital home and start a life with him, only hours after her husband is buried. In this compelling short film, Dika Ofoma explores financial dependency, societal pressure, widowhood and the reconciliation of religion with culture, earning an official selection at the 2025 New York African Film Festival and a premiere at the 2024 S16 Film Festival.
Over the Bridge [2023]
Selected as the opening film for the 2024 New York African Film Festival, Tolu Ajayi’s Over the Bridge follows a young, high flying executive, Folarin Marinho (Ozzy Agu) who is tasked with delivering a massive road project, expected to yield massive economic profit. An attempted suicide amidst the building pressure on the protagonist lands him in a remote fishing community, with time to reflect. In this riveting piece, Tolu Ajayi peels open the humanity behind business giants and traverses work pressures alongside family obligations to deliver a body of work that was the most nominated film at the fan-based 2024 African Magic Viewers Choice Awards.
Premierring at the 2024 S16 Film Festival, Nosazemen Agbontaen and Rete Poki experiment with themes including religion, sexuality and self awareness to portray the story of Zainab (Funbi Toye), a young woman who moves to Lagos and promptly delves into a world of trouble. The angsty short film poses the question: can there be a non toxic balance between Pentecostalism and queer relationships?
A fantastical journey through Nigeria’s youth driven alternative creative scene, this colorful documentary directed by Abba Makama is an unhindered display of youth counterculture, showcasing bold expressions of fashion, music, pride and spirituality. An official selection for the 2024 S16 Feature Film Festival, The Kids Are Ok masterfully captures the essence of a generation that sees beyond the mainstream.
When Nigeria Happens [2024]
In this film, Ema Edosio-Deelen explores resilience and the Nigerian spirit through dance, in partnership with Qudus Onikeku’s Dance Company to deliver Nigeria’s first contemporary dance feature. The film is set in the vibrant city of Lagos and follows a group of misfit dancers navigating the intersection between survival and fighting for one’s dreams despite harsh realities. With this film, Edosio-Deelen offers a poignant look at the human spirit’s ability to endure.
The Man Died [2024]
Based on the haunting prison memoir by Nobel Laureate Wole Soyinka, The Man Died is a powerful tale of resistance, courage and the profound inner strength that drives Soyinka to consistently raise his voice against injustice. Set against the backdrop of Nigeria’s civil war, Awam Amkpachronicles Soyinka’s imprisonment without trial by a brutal military regime intent on silencing his voice. This moving film sees Soyinka (Wale Ojo) alongside bosom friends Bola Ige (Temilola Fosudo) and Femi Johnson (Abraham Amkpa) deliver compelling performances which will push Nigerians to pay attention to the periods of amorality suffered by the country, especially as regards tribalism, religion and language. Screened at the 32nd New York African Film Festival, The Man Died won the award for Best Screenplay at AFRIFF 2024.
Nominated at the 13th AFRIFF, selected for the 2025 RedMovie Awards and receiving an honorary mention at the 2024 Amsterdam International Awards, Moshood Abiola Obatula’s Agemo follows Agatha (Uzoamaka Onuoha) as she navigates a dangerous and mysterious world, highlighting the struggles faced by women. The supernatural feature explores themes of manipulation, power dynamics and the consequences of exploiting the vulnerable.
Uzoamaka Onuoha delivers a memorable performance which earned her the award for Best Female Performance in a Feature Film at AFRIFF 2024.
We Have Bleach [2024]
Aisha Salaudeen’s directorial debut, the short film premiered at the 2024 AFRIFF and is a brilliant balance of humor and weighty emotion, capturing the full spectrum of mental turmoil that comes with depression and suicidal thoughts while maintaining a sharp focus on the characters’ humanity. A coming-of-age story starring Fadesaye Olateru-Olagbegi, Ginikachkwu Tagbo and Mawuyon Ogun, the film is aimed at encouraging audiences to think more critically about mental illness, challenging the stereotype that depression only affects those who lack love or resources.
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