Five Nigerian filmmakers and one South African were selected to pitch four films and two television series at the market.
By Adedamola Jones Adedayo
The Creative Africa Content Pavilion (CACOP), an initiative of the Nigerian International Film Summit (NIFS), in partnership with MIP London, and with Afrofilms UK as official sales and distribution partner, has officially announced the shortlisted projects for the Best of Africa Pitch at MIP London 2026, a major international market and conference for the television, streaming, and digital content industry.
The announcement follows a rigorous selection process that brought together exceptional submissions from across Africa, with the final shortlist prioritising originality, creative strength and a sturdy international market potential, according to a press release. Five Nigerian filmmakers and one South African were selected to pitch four films and two television series at the market.
Selected from Nigeria are actor and filmmaker Daniel Etim Effiong recognised for his directorial debut, The Herd (2025), a socially conscious thriller addressing the country’s security challenges; Emmy-nominated BBC journalist Gbolahan Peter Macjob for his debut feature Ireke: Rise of the Maroons, which premiered at the Cannes Film Market and screened in cinemas across the UK, Nigeria, and Canada; Emmanuel Iren for his producing debut What About Us? (2024); filmmaker and talent manager Tola Odunsi for his film 19; and Aderogba Arimoro for Ivory Esq., a legal drama currently in development, with Richard Mofe-Damijo and Femi Branch attached to lead the cast.
From South Africa, Emmy-nominated writer and executive producer at Both Worlds Pictures, Karen Jeynes, was recognised for her work on the Prime Video/ARD comedy-drama series, The Morning After.
The Best of Africa Pitch is a flagship CACOP showcase created to spotlight bold African stories and strategically position them before international commissioners, buyers, broadcasters, and global platforms. The shortlisted creatives will pitch live at IET London (Savoy Place) and The Savoy Hotel, London, from February 22 to 24, 2026.
MIP London brings together producers, distributors, broadcasters, platforms, creators, and financiers from around the world to buy, sell, pitch, and develop screen projects. As part of the program, finalists of the Best of Africa Pitch will benefit from a mentor-led pitch presentation session, technical quality review and content submission, and curated industry conversations facilitated through CACOP and Afrofilms UK, supporting global sales and distribution opportunities.