 |
| Image:Facebook |
Nollywood in Hollywood has officially announced the lineup of films selected for its 2026 showcase, marking the seventh edition of the annual event dedicated to promoting Nigerian cinema on the global stage.
The showcase is scheduled to take place from March 6 to 7, 2026, in Los Angeles, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences for two days of screenings and conversations.
The official selections were unveiled during a special preview screening of My Father’s Shadow in Los Angeles. The event, co-presented by Nollywood in Hollywood at the Norris Theatre, University of Southern California, celebrated a major milestone in Nigerian cinema.
My Father’s Shadow recently made history as Nigeria’s first film selected in the official lineup at the Cannes Film Festival and was also the United Kingdom’s official submission for the Best International Feature Film category at the 98th Academy Awards.
For the 2026 edition, three films have been chosen: Stitches, When Nigeria Happens, and To Adaego With Love. Together, the films span romance, contemporary dance drama, and historical storytelling, highlighting the diversity, cultural depth, and growing global relevance of African cinema.
Each screening will be followed by a discussion session with the filmmakers, allowing audiences deeper insight into the creative process behind the works.
The showcase will open on Friday, March 6, at the historic Aero Theatre in Santa Monica with the red-carpet premiere of Stitches. Directed by renowned Ghanaian filmmaker Shirley Frimpong-Manso, the film marks her first Nollywood production.
Stitches tells the story of a gifted fashion designer from a humble background whose rise into elite social circles becomes complicated by love, ambition, and long-buried secrets. The film blends modern romance with themes of class, identity, and personal growth.
Activities will continue on Saturday, March 7, at the Norris Cinema Theatre at the University of Southern California.
The afternoon screening will feature When Nigeria Happens, directed by Ema Edosio-Deelen. Combining drama with contemporary dance, the film explores love, survival, and ambition in Lagos through the lives of dancers committed to their art while navigating societal pressures and expectations.
The 2026 showcase will conclude later that evening with To Adaego With Love, a historical drama directed by Nwamaka Chikezie. Set in a post-conflict Nigeria, the film tells a forbidden love story between a Northern soldier and an Igbo teacher.
Through its narrative, the film examines themes of reconciliation, national identity, healing, and resilience in the aftermath of conflict.
Since its founding in 2018 by Nigerian-American filmmaker Ose Oyamendan, Nollywood in Hollywood has played a key role in promoting Nigerian cinema through cultural exchange and international collaboration.
Past editions have featured films that later became Nigeria’s official submissions for the Academy Awards. The initiative has also contributed to expanding Nigeria’s presence within the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, including membership invitations to Nigerian filmmakers.
Speaking on the 2026 selections, Oyamendan said the films reflect different facets of shared African experiences, from love and ambition to history and healing.
Additional programming details and ticketing information for the showcase are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
#ExclusiveUpdate
#EntertainmentDaily
No comments:
Post a Comment