Daniel Etim Effiong’s Directorial Debut “The Herd” to Be Featured at Cannes Marché du Film Panel

Nigerian actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim Effiong will present his directorial debut, The Herd, at the prestigious Marché du Film in Cannes during the panel, “The Nollywood Conversations: A Deep Dive into Opportunities to Present African Stories for Global Screens.”

Hosted by FilmOne Entertainment in collaboration with the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), the panel takes place on May 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Riviera Main Stage and online. The Herd is a stirring crime-thriller set in South West Nigeria that explores love, family and generational change. Effiong joins key industry voices including Kene Okwuosa, Ladun Awobokun, Prince Tonye Princewill, Izu Ojukwu, Adonijah Owiriwa, and Ijeoma Onah to spotlight African stories on a global stage.

“This moment is deeply personal and historic for me,” says Effiong. “To have my first film as a director presented at Cannes—one of the most respected platforms in global cinema—is both humbling and empowering. The Herd is rooted in Nigerian culture, but its themes are universal. I hope this marks another step toward the world embracing African stories with the depth and dignity they deserve.”