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A new Nollywood comedy-drama, Trade by Bata, directed by Biodun Stephen, is preparing for its nationwide cinema release after attracting attention on the international festival circuit.
The film is scheduled to premiere in cinemas across Nigeria on April 17, 2026, following its earlier showcase at the NollywoodWeek Film Festival in Paris in 2025. The festival screening helped introduce the project to international audiences and sparked interest in its unique storyline that blends humour, cultural themes and supernatural elements.
Produced by Funmiade Bank-Anthony and Biodun Stephen, the film combines comedy and drama to explore questions about identity, family heritage and the clash between modern lifestyles and traditional values.
A Story Of Inheritance And Unexpected Transformation
At the centre of Trade by Bata is a Nigerian-American woman who returns to Nigeria following the death of her father. Determined to claim what she believes is rightfully hers, she travels to her grandmother’s rural village with the intention of securing her inheritance.
However, her arrival in the community does not unfold as she expects.
Known for her rebellious and outspoken personality, the young woman quickly finds herself at odds with the customs and expectations of the village environment. Her behaviour earns her a reputation among the locals, who see her as disruptive and disrespectful to tradition.
The story takes an unexpected turn when a mysterious event alters the course of her journey.
One morning, she wakes up exhibiting an entirely different personality. Her sudden transformation confuses everyone around her, including her family and the villagers who had grown accustomed to her bold and controversial behaviour.
As the unusual situation unfolds, suspicions begin to emerge that her soul may have swapped places with that of a local village girl. The possibility of a supernatural body-swap creates both humorous and dramatic moments throughout the film, forcing the protagonist to confront a reality she cannot easily explain.
Through this transformation, the narrative begins to explore deeper questions about identity, belonging and the emotional connections that shape people’s lives.
Exploring Culture And Identity
While the film embraces comedic elements, it also delves into themes that resonate strongly within Nigerian society.
The story examines the tension between tradition and modernity, particularly through the perspective of a diaspora character returning home with a different worldview. Her experience in the village challenges her assumptions and gradually exposes her to cultural values she previously overlooked.
Dialogue in the film moves between Yoruba and English, reflecting the linguistic and cultural diversity that defines many Nigerian communities. This mix of languages adds authenticity to the storytelling while highlighting the generational and cultural differences among the characters.
With a runtime of approximately one hour and fifty-seven minutes, Trade by Bata aims to balance humour, drama and cultural commentary within a single narrative.
Star-Studded Nollywood Cast
The film brings together several well-known faces from the Nigerian film industry and digital entertainment space.
Among the lead actors is Bolaji Ogunmola, who takes on a central role in the story. She is joined by media personality and actress Bukunmi Adeaga-Ilori, popularly known as KieKie, whose comedic style has made her a fan favourite.
Content creator and activist Debo Adedayo, widely recognised as Mr Macaroni, also features in the project, bringing his distinctive comedic presence to the ensemble cast.
Veteran Nollywood actor Dele Odule appears in a supporting role, alongside Adebimpe Akintunde, Eso Dike and Tomiwa Kukoyi.
The combination of experienced performers and newer digital-era entertainers reflects Nollywood’s evolving casting approach, where film actors increasingly collaborate with social media personalities who already have large audiences.
From Festival Circuit To Commercial Release
Before its upcoming cinema debut, Trade by Bata received early exposure through its screening at the NollywoodWeek Film Festival in Paris in 2025. The festival is widely known for promoting Nigerian films to international audiences and providing filmmakers with a global platform for their work.
The positive reception at the festival helped build anticipation for the film’s wider release.
Distribution for the movie is being handled by Cinemax Distribution Limited, which confirmed the April 2026 cinema rollout.
The film was produced by Rough Diamond Entertainment in collaboration with Shutterspeed Projects.
Production details shared on industry platforms indicate that the project was made with an estimated budget of about $27,000, reflecting the growing trend of filmmakers creating ambitious stories with relatively modest production costs.
Anticipation Builds Ahead Of Release
As the Nigerian film industry continues to expand, Trade by Bata represents another example of Nollywood’s growing diversity in storytelling.
With its mix of comedy, supernatural intrigue and cultural exploration, the film aims to entertain audiences while encouraging reflection on identity and heritage.
For director Biodun Stephen, who has previously gained recognition for films such as Breaded Life and Sista, the project marks another addition to her catalogue of character-driven stories that combine humour with emotional depth.
As the April 17 release date approaches, industry watchers and moviegoers alike are eager to see how Trade by Bata performs when it arrives in cinemas nationwide.
Watch trailer below…
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