The NollywoodWeek Film Festival 2025 programme also includes six world premieres, including After 30, The Fire and The Moth, Out in the Darkness, and Trade by Bata.
By Joseph Jonathan
The official lineup for the 12th edition of NollywoodWeek Film Festival (NOW) 2025, has been announced, featuring over 30 titles from Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Cameroon, the United States, and beyond. Set to run from May 7 to 11, 2025, at Cinéma l’Arlequin in Paris, this year’s festival will showcase a diverse selection of features, shorts, animated films, and family content.
Opening the festival is The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos, while the Closing Night slot goes to OLÙMÒTÀN – Stories We Are Not Supposed to Tell, starring Sola Sobowale. The programme also includes six world premieres, including After 30, The Fire and The Moth, Out in the Darkness, and Trade by Bata.
In addition to screenings, the five-day event will feature industry panels, networking opportunities, and public and jury awards across categories. Panels will explore topics such as storytelling in TV, book-to-screen adaptations, and distribution challenges across Africa.
Here’s the full list of NollywoodWeek 2025 Official Selection across categories:
FEATURE FILMS
After 30 (Nigeria) – World Premiere
Directed by Omorinsojo Spaine, this sequel to Before 30 (2015), follows four Nigerian women navigating love, friendship, and societal expectations in their 30s. Damilola Adegbite, Beverly Naya, Meg Otanwa, Anee Icha from Before 30 also star in this film.
Blackout (Nigeria)
Okechukwu Oku’s psychological thriller follows a woman whose life turns upside down when she awakens to find herself in a reality she doesn’t know. With a husband and children she can’t recall, she’s driven to uncover the truth. As she digs deeper, she discovers a shocking secret: her supposed husband has manipulated her reality with a dark spell, and he’ll do anything to keep her captive. Featuring Blossom Chukwujekwu, Gideon Okeke, Padita Agu, Nelson Iwu, and Mike Uchegbu.
Trade by Bata (Nigeria) – World Premiere
Directed by Biodun Stephen, Trade by Bata tells the story of a Nigerian-American woman’s inheritance quest in her ancestral village which takes an unexpected turn.
The Night of June 7th (Nigeria) – World Premiere
Directed by Toka McBaror and starring Ali Nuhu and Gideon Okeke, this film recounts the devastating true events of June 7, 2005, when a joyous celebration turned tragic for six friends, forever known as the Apo Six.
Out in the Darkness (Nigeria) – World Premiere
In Out in the Darkness, director Sarah Kwaji tells the story of Bolu, a young mother struggling with postpartum depression. When strange and frightening visions take over her daily life, she begins to lose her grip on reality which puts her and her baby at risk.
Sierra’s Gold (South Africa)
Set in Johannesburg, Adze Ugahʼs film follows Sierra, a quirky and fearless artist who discovers she’s pregnant but her boyfriend, Tiro, who also manages her career, convinces her to take a homemade remedy to end the pregnancy.
The Weekend (Nigeria)
Daniel Oriahiʼs psychological thriller will grace the NollywoodWeek 2025 screens after having premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival where it made history as the first Nigerian film to premiere at the festival.
It follows Nikiya — an orphan longing for a sense of family — who is determined to meet her fiancé’s distant and estranged relatives. However, what begins as a hopeful search turns into a dangerous discovery when she uncovers a hidden secret that could change everything.
The Fire and The Moth (Nigeria) – World Premiere
Starring Tayo Faniran, Ini Dima-Okojie, Jimmy Jean-Louis and directed by Taiwo Egunjobi, the film follows the chaos that ensues after the theft of a priceless bronze statue from a remote community in Western Nigeria.
For Amina (Nigeria)
Lyndsey F. Efejuku tells the tale of a mother’s relentless fight for her daughter’s right to education which sparks a community movement.
OLÙMÒTÀN: Stories We Are Not Supposed to Tell (Nigeria) – World Premiere
Directed by Adekunle “Nodash” Adejuyigbe and starring Sola Sobowale as a mysterious woman who is being tried for a crime no one fully understands. Instead of explaining herself directly, she takes the courtroom on a deep and unusual journey through four mind-bending stories in an attempt to challenge truth and justice.
Soft Love (Nigeria, South Africa)
In this cross-cultural romantic drama directed by Holmes Okechukwu Awa, a popular South African love expert (Cindy Mahlangu Thando) gives up on love after being dumped on her wedding day. However, things change when she meets a Nigerian photographer (Efa Iwara), who’s also nursing a broken heart.
The Dog (Kenya, Sweden)
In this film by director Baker Karim, MZ navigates the chaotic streets of Mombasa as a small-time drug dealer. When he’s hired to chauffeur a young escort named Kadzo, he’s warned to keep his distance. However, MZ can’t resist Kadzo’s allure and becomes determined to save her, setting off a chain of troubles that spiral out of control.
The Legend of the Vagabond Queen of Lagos (Nigeria)
Written and directed by The Agbajowo Collective, consisting of Akinmuyiwa Bisola, Atinkpo Segun Elijah, Edukpo Tina, James Tayler, Mathew Cerf, Okechukwu Samuel and Ogungbamila Temitope. It follows a young mother from the slums who becomes a beacon of hope for her community after she discovers a pile of money meant to turn her community into a luxury condo.
SHORT FILMS
1992 (Kenya)
Through the lives of a modern couple, director Luka Liak, shows us what dating was like in 1992 Nairobi, amid the growing stigma around HIV and AIDS. The film stars Nyakundi Isaboke, Shirleen Wangari, Gilbert Lukalia, Charles Kiarie, Susan Joanitah Njuguna, Phanuel Okuma Otieno, and Enock Kalungi.
Ayo (Cameroon)
Directed by Fellon Gomez and Yolande Eckel, Ayo tells the story of a young African woman who has been helping her mother deliver babies in their village since she was 8 years old. While she witnesses the joy of new families everyday, she longs for the same joy in her own home as her waiting for a child takes a long time.
Cut Me If You Can (USA)
When a sultry black character becomes fed up with her stereotypical role in a horror B-movie, she takes a stand and the story takes a thrilling turn. Cut Me If You Can is directed by Nicolas Polixene and Sylvain Loubet and features Djaka Souaré, Anthony Lalor, Marshall Fox, and Diane Foster.
Ekun Iyawo: A Tale of a Runaway Bride (Nigeria)
In a mystical tradition, a bride’s tears at her Ekún Ìyàwó ceremony hold the power to determine the fate of the ruthless Balogun; will he live or die? The film is directed by Mo Padeola and features Ugoh Amanda, Moshood Fattah, Ropo Ewenla, Soledayo Adegbite, Chukwu Martin, and Adejoke Muyiwa.
Noces D’Eau (Benin)
Directed by Aurielle Eli Jioya, the film follows Kémi, a Frenchman with Beninese roots, as he discovers an old family photo that sparks curiosity about his heritage. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, renting the family’s former home in Benin for a weekend getaway with friends.
Obodo Oyibo (USA)
Directed by Joyful Adenike, the film follows Ose and Tokunbo as they navigate the harsh realities of their new life in the United States, eight months into Ose’s pregnancy, after initially emigrating in search of better opportunities.
The Incredible Sensational Fiancée of Seyi Ajayi (USA)
Abbesi Akhamieʼs film follows a smart scholar who plans revenge after finding out that her fiancé is engaged to another woman.
The Screen Test (Nigeria)
Directed by Edith Nwekenta and starring Tope Tedela and Philip Asaya, the film follows David, an aspiring actor who lands a potentially career-defining role, only to find himself trapped in a night of growing unease as the director’s sinister motives slowly surface.
Time Machine (France)
Directed by Clémence Marcadier and featuring Xavier Edmond-Mariette, Damien Montpre, and Allan Ferly, the film follows a Reggae Dancehall music producer as he meets with a top manager to launch his protégé’s career.
Ye! The Ascension of the Geles (USA)
Directed by John Adekoje, the film follows Stellar (Dakore Egbuson-Akande) as she joins Ajumose, a secretive collective of Pan-African women, in a quest for justice after child soldiers abduct her husband and daughter.
NOLLYKIDS
Hadu (Nigeria)
Damilola Solesi’s animated short film follows Simi, an eager young girl as she attempts to recreate her grandmother’s treasured recipe, navigating a chaotic kitchen where disaster meets nostalgia, and precious memories are stirred alongside the ingredients.
Daddy’s Girl (Nigeria)
In the Niyi Akinmolayan-directed animated short film, a young girl copes with grief and nostalgia after losing her father.
The Mystery of Waza (Cameroon)
Directed by Claye Edou, the animation follows four young students — Abdul, Bilama, Moudio, and Nguiamba — as they venture into Waza National Park to unravel a series of mysterious disappearances, only to stumble upon Cameroon’s most profound archaeological enigma.