Just over one year after dem release their first feature film Red Circle, Rixel Studios don set their eyes on something bigger. Di studio announce Black Market, a new Nollywood film wey Fatimah Binta Gimsay direct, and e go release on September 26, 2026, for Tafawa Balewa Square for Lagos.
Dis time, Rixel dey try something wey nobody don do for Nigerian film industry before: dem want Guinness World Records title for di largest film screening wey ever happen for one single location. Di team, wey dey work with Filmone Studios, Signet Ring Studios, and Switch Visuals Production, don plan to host 50,000 people for one public screening of Black Market. Dis go pass di current Guinness World Records benchmark of 43,000 attendees.
For film industry wey don spend di last ten years dey expand im global footprint through streaming platforms, international festivals, and more ambitious theatrical releases, dis attempt show say Nollywood dey try to prove im scale—not just for reach, but for physical audience too.
Nora Awolowo, wey dey lead di team for Rixel Studios, talk say: “We dey excited to go on dis journey as a team and we don take plenty learnings from our previous film. As young filmmakers, one of our aims na to continue to creatively look for ways to innovate.”
Abdul Tijani-Ahmed and Fatimah Binta Gimsay write Black Market, and dem shoot di film for Abeokuta. Di cast include plenty big names like Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Itele D Icon, Scarlet Gomez, Omowunmi Dada, Teniola Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Uzor Arukwe, Folagade Banks, Tomiwa Tegbe, Andrew Yaw Bunting, Shamz Garuba, and Adeoluwa Akintoba.
For di filmmakers, di film ambition pass just breaking records. Director Fatimah Binta Gimsay talk: “From Day One, we were determined to make a fun film and we made it with the best people. Dis na great challenge for everyone and we can’t wait to share am with di world.”
For Filmone Studios, di event show di growing confidence of an industry wey dey think beyond conventional theatrical rollouts. Filmone Chief Content Officer, Ladun Awobokun, talk: “We dey incredibly excited. Dis na more than a film project. E be opportunity to create history and showcase Nigerian creativity and Nollywood for global stage.”
Di spirit of experimentation echo for Switch Visuals Production, another partner for di project. Damilola Osikoya, di company CEO, talk: “There is nothing more inspiring to me than seeing young people challenge conventions and push di boundaries of innovation. Dis project especially close to my heart because e represent wetin possible when bold ideas meet determination and collaboration.”
Large-scale premieres don become common for Nollywood, but dis event wey get dis magnitude na serious logistical undertaking. E go not only secure place for Guinness World Records, but e go also stand as one of di largest public film screenings wey ever happen anywhere for di world. Di event dey deliver in partnership with MTN and Swoop, with more details expected before di September screening.
