Writer and director Fatimah Binta Gimsay has announced plans to attempt a Guinness World Record with the premiere of her debut feature, Black Market, by gathering 50,000 people at Tafawa Balewa Square on September 26.
Speaking exclusively with The Nollywood Reporter (TNR), Gimsay says the ambitious premiere is both a personal milestone and an opportunity to inspire Nigerian filmmakers to think beyond conventional releases.
“My journey as a filmmaker is special so it only makes sense that my first feature is also my first world record attempt. It is crazy to say that out loud and I’m thankful.”
The event is being produced by Damilola Osikoya of Switch Visuals, with support from Nora Awolowo’s Rixel Studios and FilmOne Studios. According to Gimsay, the attempt is about more than setting a record. She hopes it will foster a stronger sense of community within Nollywood and encourage filmmakers to pursue bold ideas.
“This is our version of a community cinema, just bigger. We are reminding African filmmakers that we are all that we’ve got and we’re the only ones who can save ourselves. I hope this gives anyone who needs it the reminder to just do something. We cannot keep waiting. It is hard to do but it is rewarding even if you don’t get the exact results.”
For Gimsay, the larger goal is creating greater visibility for Nollywood. She describes Black Market as a project that has shaped the past year of her life and one she hopes will open new opportunities for others in the industry.
“I love visibility especially when it’s for a project I have deeply enjoyed being a part of. Black Market has been a major part of my life for the past year and that’s basically raising a toddler. It’ll go on to always be a part of me because film is forever. Visibility for us means new doors opening for everyone else, creation of new lanes and the possibility of just doing more of what we love.”
The film also marks Gimsay’s fifth collaboration with filmmaker Nora Awolowo. She says the partnership continues to challenge and expand her creatively, pushing her into new genres and approaches to storytelling.
“We are learning each other’s languages both creatively and technically. Black Market is a fun film, it is nothing like I have done before and it stretched me positively.”
The feature stars Lateef Adedimeji, Linda Ejiofor-Suleiman, Uzor Arukwe, Andrew Yaw Bunting, Scarlet Gomez, Teni Aladese, Susan Pwajok, Omowunmi Dada and Shamz Garuba.
As preparations continue for the September premiere, Gimsay hopes audiences will be part of what she describes as a celebration of storytelling, community and ambition, while supporting an attempt to place Nollywood in the Guinness World Records.
